Hub Bolt Pattern Change

So I tried looking through the forums and I can't find anything on this subject. Either nobody else has posted this before, or I'm just an idiot and don't know what to search for. I'd put the odds at 80/20 in favor of the later. But just in case I'm wrong (can't win a bet to save my life) here goes.

The bolt pattern on CJ5 is 5x5.5. Unfortunately that doesn't leave for a lot of wheel options that float my boat. So I'm tossing around changing the pattern to 5x4.5 which is much more common these days and has a vastly greater selection for my taste. Has anybody done this before? If so, did you use wheel adapters or did you change out the entire hub assembly? If wheel adapters, any issues with the locking center hub on front axle? If hub assembly, who did you use?

 

You are correct. The market has changed in flavor of wheel options for newer jeeps. I went to 17" rims because I liked the look and the
backspacing. There are spacers/adapters out there that will suit your needs and would be your best option. Check with Quadratec or others.
Just don't get black wheels as they are verboten around here. As for floating your boat...there are a couple of folks here that try to float their jeeps.

 

5x5 is also very popular as it is the newer jeep bolt pattern.

 

Thank you! The backspacing is one of the main things I'm looking for to get the tires out from under the body a bit more.

 

I hadn't thought about the 5x5, will have to take a look at those, too. Thanks!

 

I’m curious how you’re going to get around the issue of the size of the front hub? Even with just a drive flange (as opposed to a locking hub), a custom spacer would need to be used that would stick out several inches to get around it?

I guess I’m just not seeing an option without complete axle swaps.

 

Assuming you have locking hubs, 5x5.5 is probably the smallest bolt pattern that will work. If locking hubs are not an issue, I would go with 5x4.5 as that is the standard size for trailer wheels and then it would make it easy to build an off-road trailer that shares the same wheels as the Jeep so you could share spare tires between the two.

 

There is the 4-1/4' or so hub issue. He could still use spacers and go to a larger wheel with a better selection. I liked my 17" US Indy
because of the old style look, backspacing and disc clearance. The only problem is the tires are for heavier trucks as opposed to 15" tires.

 

One advantage of 17" rims is all the new 33" take off tires from new Jeeps if those are deemed suitable for your use. I bought 2 sets of the 5x5 wheels and tires for less than $100 each, most with only a few miles from the dealer to the 4x4 shop. Ryan???

Another that sees little for a workable solution to using those 5x5 wheels with our 5x5.5 hubs. vixtasy, what do your adapters look like?

 

Things only get sold for top dollar around here.

 

I swapped my YJ to 5x5 and am running 17in 31.5 tires. I bought spacers online. Keep in mind you will need to get longer wheel studs too. A friend bought a new Jeep and went with a 37 inch tires and had these laying around his garage and wanted them gone. So I helped him make them gone. Lol[/GALLERY]. The second phot is the tool to help draw the new studs in to your hub. Don’t be a hero buy the tool trust me!

 

No adapters p/n U10117908535. Wheels are 17X9, 5X5-1/2, with a 3.54 backspace.

 

Thanks all for the input. Definitely food for thought and what I was concerned about with the locking hubs up front. Perhaps I'll just continue the search for 5x5.5 rims that I like instead of going down another rabbit hole.

 

What is your preferred style of wheel? There's still plenty of options for 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern. Lots of options for 6 on 5.5 also, which will have the proper size center hole to clear your hubs. 5 on 5 and 5 on 4.5 will create all sorts of fitment issues for you. 17" is a good size for tire availability, but will ride a bit stiffer due to less sidewall in the tire compared to 15", and lots of those 17" tires will be load range E. Duffer is right tho, lots of JL/JT take offs out there that are load range C and good tires. 285/70/17 typically, and about 33x11 in size.

 

I went to the 17" to be sure there was clearance for the calipers and not have to try 13 different rims. When I saw the Indy's I was sold after looking
at rims for years. The 15" selection has depleted over the years for a 4 1/4" center. I put on Cooper Evolution tires for a decent weight reduction, good tread
pattern and tread depth. They 295R/70/17 and at 20PSI sit exactly at 33". Still has plenty of sidewall but I believe they are 2 ply. Like you said, load range
'E' which is a heavy truck tire. Mud Terrain tires are hard to find in a 'C' rated tire at 17". Finding a minimal backspace in a custom wheel is also difficult.
Now wheels are mostly listed in offset by millimeters and you have to do the conversion to figure out backspace. I prefer not to use spacers and the issues
involved with their use.