changing bolt pattern

Has anyone ever changed a gm 10 bolt from an s10 from 5x4.75 to any other pattern? I currently have model a spokes on adapters, but after hearing some horror stories, and planning on daily driving the truck, I would like something a bit more reliable...

Any suggestions? Drill new holes in old axles? Order custom axles? Any help would be appreciated!

 

There was a thread last week on this, some nifty ideas there.
let me see if I can find it.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=587253&highlight=cool+idea

Here you go

 

Not sure what the other thread has listed... but I think I saw a magazine article once
where you can order Strange axles pretty reasonably. Like for $300 or less I think.
But don't quote me on the $$.. And then they would just swap right in.

 

thanks guys, i had seen a thread on drilling wheels to fit different axles, but not axles to fit different wheels. i just wasn't sure if you could get a 5.5 bolt pattern onto an axle from an s10.. thanks for all the info guys!

 

If those are 16" spoked wheels they aren't Model A wheels but are probably 1935 Ford or Kelsey Hayes wheels.

If your truck is light I wouldn't worry about wire wheels on adapters.

The companies that make those adapters would be out of business if they failed and caused an accident.

The way attorneys chase ambulances in this country they would have been sued out of business.

I have heard about how Ford Spoked wheels are dangerous on hot rods and will spin off or brake when turning.

I am sure that wheels that have decayed over the years should be avoided on any car.

I have noticed that back in the day many salt flat cars and circle racers used Ford and Kelsey Hayes spoked wheels. I am sure that oc***ionally they failed under those conditions.

I will have my wheels inspected and straightened by a professional before I do any hard driving.

I use 5 on 4.5 to 5 on 5.5 adapters on the 8.8 Ranger rear ends on my Model A ch***is along with the wire wheel suport disks sold by Speedway.

My model A's weigh 2300lbs or less and I won't be racing them on a circle track or subjecting them to any abuse.

The amount of "I've heard that" or "they say that" information that we get today is remarkable. I always ask who are the "they" that say that.

I am sure that I will get some argument about this but I just use good judgement to weigh the safety of my cars keeping in mind what stresses that they will endure.

****

 

I put a 57 Chevy rear in my 41 Chevy and wanted to retain the stock bolt pattern to run the stock 6 lug 5.5" wheels. Ordered up a set of Moser axles and they worked slick. I've since switched to some slotted aluminum 15 x 7 on 5.5" 6 lug wheels and they work great too. I still have the original axles if I ever decide to change over to 5 lug 4 3/4.

 

are you sure that the S-10 axle flange is big enough to drill 5 on 5-1/2 ???

 

Try these, (credit to GAB on tbucketeers)





(sorry GAB did not realize you were here as well!!!!)

 

I hadn't checked yet, i didnt figure they would be.

i suppose that is probably true, but i just wasn't sure what they were rated for. i also wasn't confident they would hold up to the streets in my hometown. we have a great deal of potholes, and about half the streets i drive on are brick and as rough as a cob, they wont be going anywhere anytime soon since they are a historical landmark.. i just though with as many miles as i plan to put on this truck, that it would just be safer to spend the money(or time) to delete the adapters.

but, i am pretty new in the hot rod hobby, so i may be over-reacting to something that isn't a problem.

thanks again!

 

Well How big is the flange?

 

I got a rough measure, and it was just under 6.25 inches, it wouldn't work with the drums though. The center of the wheel won't fit over the drums. The adapters are working as a space for the time being. Gonna have to get creative!

 

good info on thread, copied and saved to file, thanks

 

Davey they are 35 fords.

 

yeah. thanks dude. i think i am going to machine some adapters out of steel. i'm going to make a plate with the spacing i need to clear the drums with those wheels, then thread the plate for 5/8 co**** bolts in the 4.75 bolt circle. then drill the axle flanges so i can get the 5/8 bolts through and threadlock the piss out of em.

then i'm gonna drill the steel adapter plate for the 5x5.5 bolt circle and machine a small inset circle on the back side to run the wheel studs flush with the back of the plate.

i just trust steel a whole bunch more than aluminum. probably just being paranoid, but i would rather over do it, than break on a trip far from home!

if anyone has any suggestions on the homemade adapter idea, let me know! i'm young and dumb, i might be making a bad decision here and not even know it!!!

 

I've used adapters from A-DAPT-IT USA on the S10 rear axle in myModel A. They are made from 6061-T6 Billet aircraft aluminum with Heat Treated, SAE Approved, OEM quality press in studs. I have used them for years without any hesitation. Bottom line is the 16" wires whether Kelsey Hayes (bent Spoke) or Ford (straight spoke) wheels, will twist off long before any adapters break.

 

Moser will redrill your axles, $80. for fronts, same for rears, priced for the pair. Right, quick, no stinking adapters.