Redrilling the 4 lug hubs to 5 lugs

[Takeoff]

I have searched and haven't found much on this topic. Is it possible, safe, and is there anyone who has gotten this done? It would probably be the cheapest way to convert but I want some actuall personal experience if possible.

[nismofly]

how can you drill the hubs?

[chmercer]

with a drill press? ive heard of people doing this with no problems, but sorry i dont have any personal experience for you. remember though that you would probably have to weld in the studs or they would spin around. I think this is more for an ease of installation type thing than a saftey thing, since there is no way a stud would come out if you had a lug nut properly torqued on it. but when you were putting the lugs on, youd have to hold the stud from the back to keep it from moving, which would be annoying.

[nismofly]

so you drill it then have to buy new studs i guess?

i guess what im saying is you cant just drill it right...

[ETTInnov04]

I would think that if you drilled them right that when you pressed the lugs in it would lock in like normal. Because of the ribs on the stud, just drill a little loose at first to be safe, slowly working your way up in .10 of a mm. Im just wondering if its safe I mean the front wheels roll no reall power going to them but your rears have torque aplied to them constantly. I dont know what to tell you. Could it be done...yes Would it be safe...no clue.

[crzycav86]

To do it safely, you'd need to somehow cut the splines into the hub, which is something that a typical drill bit can't do.

[AZhitman]

I entertained this idea as well.

You'd have to ADD material to one area of the hub to "beef it up" on the backside.

Welding in the studs is almost mandatory, as it'll be nearly impossible to reach factory tolerances.

Cheaper (and simpler) to just find S14 5-lug hubs and front spindles. I got mine for under $250 for all 4.

[evildky]

a lot of old shool Z guys doing the 5 lug conversion just swap on 5 lug front hubs and redrill the rears, which does require adding a bit of material