spindle/hub swap

[srhardbody]

Does anyone on this forum know of a hub or spindle swap i can do on a 96 hardbody that would change from a 6 bolt pattern to a 5 bolt? im building a custom 9 inch rear end and can get 5 bold axles made for it, but i need to do a conversion to the front.

thanks, jeff

[Big-Bird]

There is no swap available for this. The best method to change a bolt pattern is to purchase wheel spacers that have studs built into them.

Guys with 4x4's, like me, do this all the time to gain rim clearance and change offset distances. Most of the time we get spacers that have studs which are the same pattern as the stock truck but occassionally a few people will purchase spacers that allow them to go from 6 studs down to 5 and what ever stud spacing is required. Call a 4x4 shop in your area and tell them what you want to do. PS. Most spacers will start at 75.00 each and go up from there.

The better question to ask is why not get the rear axle made with 6 studs instead of 5? PROS: Any good drive line shop can so this. 6 studs are better than 5 any day. There are plenty of rim options available in 6 bolt patterns. You wouldn't have to expend big bucks to retrofit the front.

[RT]

I wished the 2 wd hardbodies had 5 lug, many more rim options. 6 is over kill on a small truck. Not one hardbody makes enough power or torque to break 5 lug wheels. Never understood the use of 6 lug on a 4 or 6 cylinder truck. Limits rim choice BIG time, especially on my 2.4 liter 4 cylinder 2 wd hehe if I could break a wlug wheel I would be shocked.

[srhardbody]

Ok thanks! i know of the wheel spacers but i kinda wanted to steer clear of them. ive seen a nissan h-body with toyota spindles with 5 bolt and i was just wondering if anyone else has seen it or know how to do it! The reason for my 5 bolt dilema is that the truck is being setup for drift and needs a 9.5" wide rear wheel with a 5 bolt pattern and you cant find any rims that wide with a 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern and obviously i would want matching rims thus needing a 5 bolt pattern for the front too! ill look into wheel spacers and see if i can get the rim with the right offset, I might even rip the torsion bar system out and do a full custom IFS with a power assist rack and pinion. we'll see. but thanks for the help!

[srhardbody]

Well if anyone is interested i found the conversion i was looking for. You can use the hubs off an early 90's toyota 2wd pickup and they slide right on the hardbody spindle becuase they use the same type of bearings, minor caliper shimming might be needed. with these hubs you will get a 5x4.5 bolt pattern.