6 to 5 lug

[curt]

how hard is it to convert a open knuckle front d44 from 6 lug to 5?

[Josh D]

I'm pretty sure it involves spindle and rotor/hub from a mid to late '70's Ford open knuckle D44. Maybe caliper brackets as well, I'm not sure. Ford 1/2 tons were primarily 5-5 1/2 and most 70's era D44 parts are interchangeable.

[Rob Kosinski]

I did it on my rock buggy.. This is whats needed.

Early chevy spindles that use the small bearing or you can turn down your existing spindles on a lathe.

I used ford 1979 F-150 Hub Housing and Rotors. I used trustop from napa and the units came as one piece and went for $33 a side. This is a smoking deal and is still available.

You will need 2 new bearings for each side. I should have the part #'s at home.. All the brake stuff is completly interchangeable.

Bolt on some WARN hubs and youll be money.

Good luck

RK

[curt]

Great. What are trustops? If you have part numbers that would be great. I would rather convert than buy 6 lug matching rearend to match and have to buy new rims.

[Panther]

I have found those small bearing GM spindles to be hard to come by and I'm thinking about D*dge instead.

I'm not sure if it would work but I think the D*dge 5 lug d44s share the same large bearing spindle found in most FSJ and GMs. The brakes are different on the D*dges with the 2 bolt caliper bracket but I think the FSJ/GM caliper brackets and parts would work in their place. If it does, then all you would need is the D*dge hub assembly and rotor to do the conversion.

All this is in theory and I haven't actually done it, anyone have any ideas, thoughts?

[Rob Kosinski]

Search around on Napas site under 1979 Ford F-100. I dont see the tru stops listed anymore. I will see if I can dig up a part #.

RK

[J4GRAND]

What about the hubs/rotors from a later CJ7 Dana 44. Wouldn't that work- that's what they use to convert drum brake Dana 44 fronts to disc brakes.

[trentw]

I got a D44 IH Scout front axel with 5 lug rotors and ford like calipers in the junk yard. To make it work under my Cherokee I had to put on my old steering knuckles, spindles bearings and rotors.

[curt]

what about using the scout 5 lug hubs and rotors?

[trentw]

I got it all laying around collecting dust.

[curt]

Trentw,

please share, what all is it specifically you have lying around?

[trentw]

I may have everything to make a D44 6 bolt into 5 bolt. I got the Steering knuckles; caliper brackets, calipers, spindles, bearings and rotors. It came off a 70 something IH scout, it had the right gearing, so I purchased the complete housing thinking I could just run different rims (6 lugs in back 5 in front) I did some measurements and changed it all over. Let me know, I am willing to sell cheap, it’s just taking up space.

[curt]

Trentw,

YES, I'll email you from home.

[james1414d]

84 dodge ramcharger bits work too.

[trentw]

Curt, e-mail me at trentw@mncable.net I am also at home.

[trentw]

If that is the case going with dodge components might be easer to find and cheaper to rebuild. (I think)

[Powerstroked]

Speaking of 6 lug rims, what other rims will fit a jeep 6 lug pattern? Thanks

[Chero77]

Originally posted by John Gurtowski:
Speaking of 6 lug rims, what other rims will fit a jeep 6 lug pattern? ThanksThe Jeep pattern is 6 x 5.5 which is the same as the Chevy and Nissan six lug patterns. Backspacing on the stock 15x8 steel wheels used on Wide Tracks is 4". Stock Chevy backspacing on '70s-'80s trucks is also 4" for steel wheels and 3 3/4" for alloys. Most any older Chevy six lug wheel will work. Most aftermarket alloy wheels in 15x8 with the 6 x 5.5 pattern use 3.75" backspacing which again works fine. (Eagle alloys excepted, they use 3 1/4 for some reason). I snagged some Art Hale bullet hole style alloy wheels in 15x8.5 with 3.75" backspacing off EBAY and they fit and look great on my '77 WideTrack.

[ March 08, 2003, 12:01 AM: Message edited by: Chero77 ]