Mansplain this to me please: lug bolt patterns

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
I am sure there is a reason, so someone has to know.

What is the purpose for manufacturers to switch to different lug nut offsets with the same number of lugs. For example, why do jeeps have 5x5.5, 5x5 and 5x4.5 depending on the years? Another example is GM going from 8x165.1 to 8x180?

What says you?
 
BigClay said:
I am sure there is a reason, so someone has to know.

What is the purpose for manufacturers to switch to different lug nut offsets with the same number of lugs. For example, why do jeeps have 5x5.5, 5x5 and 5x4.5 depending on the years? Another example is GM going from 8x165.1 to 8x180?

What says you?
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To fit bigger hub bearings.

And mostly just to piss people off by making them metric.
 
frankenyoter said:
Yall probably don’t want to hear this… but maybe it will help… Toyota is still running the same bolt pattern from 79.

6x5.5 ftw.
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J spec metric ftw
 
If we really want to know - it’s as because of competing gear/axle manufactures.


Btw…what about the ford fake 7
 
frankenyoter said:
Yall probably don’t want to hear this… but maybe it will help… Toyota is still running the same bolt pattern from 79.

6x5.5 ftw.
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Ram 250/2500s have had the same bolt pattern since the 60s, although they did switch to metric studs and nuts in the 2000's. I think it's the last truck to use 8x6.5.

Duane
 
CLRracer said:
Ram 250/2500s have had the same bolt pattern since the 60s, although they did switch to metric studs and nuts in the 2000's. I think it's the last truck to use 8x6.5.

Duane
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2500’s were 2012. I know this cause the wife’s rig is 2012 and all 4 th gen I have had. Including 3500 dually have been 2011 or 2010
 
skyhighZJ said:
2500’s were 2012. I know this cause the wife’s rig is 2012 and all 4 th gen I have had. Including 3500 dually have been 2011 or 2010
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I thought is was somewhere around then but wasnt 100% sure.
jeepinmatt said:
Yep, and SRW 3500s too (but the duallys are 8x200 since 2019).
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But you can take the dually adapter off the front axle and it's still 8x6.5. I remember a few guys that like to run regular wheels on the front ordering them in the 8x200 and them not fitting 🤦‍♂️

Duane
 
Yep, I'm still an SAE kinda guy, Those I can pull the right wrench or socket no problem, with metric, I might make 5 trips to the toolbox, if I am too far away from the toolbox, I will grab 5 different sizes and go. And then, when it's something that should be metric, I end up going back to get the SAE size! And riddle me this Batman, Why do metric sockets, take a SAE size ratchet/extension and adapters?
Auto makers themselves are always trying to re-invent the wheel, and they do, as has been talked about here. Face it, they build an engine, that is for the most part bomb proof, and they quit making it. Like the Ford I-300 (4.9) or the slant 6 225 that Chrysler mad once upon a time. Yeah, I know the EPA has something to do with it. Also, it was mentioned above that a lot of it comes from whatever company makes the axles. I don't buy that, esp with the big 3 ISA sold (hardly USA made!) If an axle company wants to do business with one of the big three, don't ya think they would be telling the maker of the axle company what lug pattern, or how many lugs?
 
Ron said:
Btw…what about the ford fake 7
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Screenshot_20260605-095232.png
 
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