New wheels...now what??

[cudadave72]

Been talking about this for a long time and finally I just ordered new (wheel vintique) ralley wheels for the Cuda! 15x7s up front and 15x8s out back. The problem I'm going to have is getting the rear ones to fit. I have Strange axles with 5/8 studs. Not only that but the studs are not treaded all the way down. As you can see from the pictures there are spacers between the wheels and nuts. Also there are no provisions for 1/2 studs. Being that the OEM wheels are lug centric do you guys have any advice on getting my new wheels to fit without replacing the axles???

[Chryco Psycho]

you could drill the threads out of the lugs so they will slide over the studs & use the nuts you have to tighten them on

[cudadave72]

Good idea. I found a set of conical set 5/8 lug nuts from Summit. Those would be beefy enough to drill out and use as shims. Thanks for the idea!

[HP2]

You might test fit a lug or two before jumping in to this because 5/8 studs use a 1" hex lug. That big of a hex may have interference problems with the features on the rally wheel that were deisgned for a 13/16 hex. Another thing to check is the taper on those 5/8 lugs. Since most 5/8 lugs are designed for competition applications, they use a different seat angle than a street lug nut.

[Bullitt-]

I don't know but are there not appropriate studs available that could replace the ones you have?

[Cuda54]

Could you cut the threads down the stud further? Then cut the studs down so they will look better with just the nut.

[Road_Runner]

I'd be very inclined to pull the axles and have the long studs pressed out of the axle hubs and go back in with std ones.  I know that would be a lot of extra work, but I'm not sure I'd want to worry about some kind of 'engineered' option long-term. 

Later, Jim

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I would change the studs out.

[HP2]

I'd be very inclined to pull the axles and have the long studs pressed out of the axle hubs and go back in with std ones. 

These studs thread in and have a retaning nut on the back of them. No pressing required. Unfortunatly, the are a 5/8 thread in the axle, which most manufacturers carryover to 5/8 shank with 5/8 lugs. Instead of a traditional mag lug nut that threads the whole shoulder in to the wheel, these have a stud big enough to replace the shouldered lug.

Depending on who made the axles, they may have thread in 1/2 studs, but I doubt it. You might have to make your own with some 5/8 threaded stock which you turn down and rethread to 1/2 outside of the axle flange engagement area. Otherwise, you may need to replace the axles, and depending on the spline count on the carrier engagement, maybe even the ring gear carrier.

A lot of work to put heavier wheels on your car.