48 fleetmaster conversion from 6 to 5 lug

[Guest alfiebula]

my brother just bought a 48 fleetmaster and he's trying to switch from 6-lug to 5-lug without special order parts or adapters. are there any inter-changeable parts from later years that would make this possible and, if so, where might we find them?

[Guest Bob Call]

I would guess that 49 thru 52 Chevy are the same except 5 lug instead of 6. Chevy and GMC 1/2 ton pickups used the 6 lug through the 50's. So, if he is wanting to just be able to use 15 inch wheels the 50's pickup have the same 6 lug pattern, but, they use 1/2 inch lugs instead of 7/16 inch like your brother's car. If he can find the pickup wheels, then changing lug bolts is a lot easier and probably cheaper than changing brake drums, front hubs abd rear axles.

[Guest alfiebula]

thank you for the info Bob but are there any later, more common models that are inter-changeable like for instance a nova or something like that?

[Guest Oldengineer]

I have a 48 Fleetmaster Town Sedan equipped with 6 lug 15" wheels. The rims are all chromed, and, I think the PO got them from Chevys of the 40s. My car has nice fat radial tires on it.

Regards:

Oldengineer

[Guest alfiebula]

actually he wants to put astro supremes (a crager style of rim) on it so, rear-end, drums, and hubs are what he's wanting to switch out. the question is, what years and or models are inter-changeable? and secondly, where might we find what we're looking for?

[Guest Bob Call]

Looking at interchange the brake shoes are the same from 37 thru 54. I believe what he will need are the front hubs, rear axles and brake drums from a 49 to 52 Chevy. Should post a want to buy ad at the Chevrolet forum below and also on Stovebolt.com. I'm sure there are other Chevy websites if you make a search.