Converting 99 astro to 6 lugs...

[madslammer]

Hi, I'm looking at some oem wheels I like, but they are 6 lug...
How complicated would it be to convert from 5 to 6 lugs...

I have drop spindles, so I think that would be an issue...???...

thanks...

[Kidhauler]

The fronts you would just need to order new disks with 6 studs from a newer year. For the rears I think you would need whole new axle shafts with a 6 bolt flange. You would also need to order new drums with 6 holes.

I would look at different rims if you look at the budget of swapping all the parts plus the rims you could probably get some nice aftermarket rims.

I feel your pain I have seen several 6 bolt rims I liked at great deals that will not fit my 99

[madslammer]

Thanks...

[LiftedAWDAstro]

The fronts you would just need to order new disks with 6 studs from a newer year. For the rears I think you would need whole new axle shafts with a 6 bolt flange. You would also need to order new drums with 6 holes.

None of this will work. The fronts are unit bearing and take standard rotors like the AWD's. The rears are rotors as well and while this swap, in theory could be done pretty easily by using the 5 lug axle shafts and re-drilling the rotors to 5 lug, I bet the time and effort are not worth it when when you can get aftermarket wheels fairly cheap.

[doyoulikeithere]

The fronts you would just need to order new disks with 6 studs from a newer year. For the rears I think you would need whole new axle shafts with a 6 bolt flange. You would also need to order new drums with 6 holes.

None of this will work. The fronts are unit bearing and take standard rotors like the AWD's. The rears are rotors as well and while this swap, in theory could be done pretty easily by using the 5 lug axle shafts and re-drilling the rotors to 5 lug, I bet the time and effort are not worth it when when you can get aftermarket wheels fairly cheap.

So, how could you convert the front to 6 bolt from 5? I've wondered about this everytime I consider getting a nice nearly new rear axle with LS and disk brakes...
Would be sweet if it was as easy as buying 6 bolt unit bearing rotors !!

[madslammer]

Well, I know there are some fine wheels that fit the 5 lug pattern, but I was trying to get a set of SS or Denali 20" OEM... Because the factory chrome is so much tougher than the aftermarket ones... Thanks, I guess I'll have to try the wheel Adapters and do some math with the Backspacin/Offset...
Thanks again guys...

[Kidhauler]

On a 2wd the studs are in the disk so it should be as simple as ordering disks off a 2000 and putting them on your spindles.

I think dean was thinking of AWD front ends. The aftermarket disks I put on my van were $150 a peice retail plus bearings.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Nope, I am talking about the 2003 - 2005 2WD vans...they do not use the hub/rotor assembly like the 85 - 2002 2WD vans.

2003 2WD front rotors

2003 2WD front hub unit bearings

1999 2WD front hub/rotors

[doyoulikeithere]

On a 2wd the studs are in the disk so it should be as simple as ordering disks off a 2000 and putting them on your spindles.
I think dean was thinking of AWD front ends. The aftermarket disks I put on my van were $150 a peice retail plus bearings.

So Kidhauler, Are you saying that you found an aftermarket disk that bolts onto a Gen 1 spindle, but has 6 lugs?
That would be a nice thing to find !!
Where are they and how much? oh ya 150...
Would go nice with a 6 bolt disk rear axle swap..
I wonder if any GM Truck 6 bolt front disks are the same style & possibly interchange with the 5 bolt astro disk ?

[Kidhauler]

No I thought they kept the same design just with 6 studs. The disks I put on are vented and slotted to handle heat better. It is very easy to warp the rotors when towing in the mountains.

So far I have done several trips with the trailer (4500lbs) and had no issues even when the temp was over 100f.

[Bret Schmerker]

Concerning the 6-on-5-1/2" spindles, would I have to backport the 2003-05 steering knuckles to my 1997 SLE to use them? Whereas my current set-up uses Passenger (viz., Caprice/Roadmaster) spindles, 2003-up saw C/K-1500 spindles forward. Of course, the larger lug pattern would better accommodate a full-float axle such as my 9" Currie contingency (Currie Enterprises offers optional exact-contemporary Ford Explorer rear rotors for four-wheel discs, with the mechanical drums off the stock parking brake cables).

[Stroverlander]

Yes, probably. The '03-05 knuckles are different.

Is you van RWD or AWD?