3" Studs and Stock Wheels

[turbojimmy]

A month or so back, someone asked about installing longer studs (the ARP 2.5" or the GM 3") studs on the rear for use with aftermarket wheels and slicks AND the ability to put the STOCK wheel back on.

Well, I've done it but it ain't pretty. It's actually not too bad, but here's how it went:

First, you can either destroy your stock lug nuts or get a new set from Kirban or whoever else has them. I say this because if you get a deep 3/4" impact socket and wind the lugnut down over the longer stud, the stud will poke a hole in the chrome cap. If you do the same thing with the new ones people are selling, the cap simply pops off. Without the cap, the nut is 18mm. You'll need an 18mm deep well impact socket (if you're using an impact wrench).

I guess you can go to the junkyard, too, and look for lug nuts with the ridge to hold the center cap on but I couldn't find any.

I chose to destroy my stock lugnuts. Here's a pic of the Weld wheel and the stock wheel:

http://www.turbojimmy.com/gn_weld_01.jpg
http://www.turbojimmy.com/stock_wheel_long_stud.jpg

HTH,
Jim

 

[BADDGUY6]

Originally posted by turbojimmy
A month or so back, someone asked about installing longer studs (the ARP 2.5" or the GM 3") studs on the rear for use with aftermarket wheels and slicks AND the ability to put the STOCK wheel back on.

Well, I've done it but it ain't pretty. It's actually not too bad, but here's how it went:

First, you can either destroy your stock lug nuts or get a new set from Kirban or whoever else has them. I say this because if you get a deep 3/4" impact socket and wind the lugnut down over the longer stud, the stud will poke a hole in the chrome cap. If you do the same thing with the new ones people are selling, the cap simply pops off. Without the cap, the nut is 18mm. You'll need an 18mm deep well impact socket (if you're using an impact wrench).

I guess you can go to the junkyard, too, and look for lug nuts with the ridge to hold the center cap on but I couldn't find any.

I chose to destroy my stock lugnuts. Here's a pic of the Weld wheel and the stock wheel:

http://www.turbojimmy.com/gn_weld_01.jpg
http://www.turbojimmy.com/stock_wheel_long_stud.jpg

HTH,
Jim

It was Me And yes I did use the stock lugs too.(mine Looks just like yours) What I did was put the lug into a vise and center punch the lug cap. Then drilled the cap with a uni-bit to the size of the stud. Looks almost stock

Guy

 

[CraigT]

I put the 1/2 studs on mine when I put in Moser axles. I still run the stock wheels on the street. I have not found any 1/2 lugs that will keep my centercaps on yet.

 

[TurboJim]

Jim:

Are they stock thread? Or 7/16 or 1/2 studs? If stock (metric) thread, whee di yuo find them? If larger, did you haveta drill the hub flange? or was the shank oof the stud milled down to go in the stock holes? My only issue is centering the stud if you hadta drill the holes out. I need lomger studs too and this is whats holding me up...... well plus my garage isnt wide enough to pull the axles

 

[John Larkin]

Jim, GM sells these: 22551491

3 inch metric, stock thread. Cheap IMO. I bought some locally with shop discount for about $18. I use the 69 cent stock replacement lugs on the GN wheels and metric lugs from Centerline on the slicks. Those lugs won't hold the center cap so I just painted the end of the axle red and it looks pretty good. I think the 3 inch studs look pretty aggressive with the stock wheels anyhow, sans center cap.

Studs

 

[TurboJim]

Thanks for the info John. Calling for them right now


EDIT: awesome...20 on the way

 

[turbojimmy]

Originally posted by TurboJim
Thanks for the info John. Calling for them right now


EDIT: awesome...20 on the way

Yeah - what John said.

BTW - my garage isn't very wide either but I hammered mine out before I pulled the C-clips. Just need to pull the axle out another inch or two to get the new studs in.

I realize that hammering them out is the "wrong" way, but it worked and I really didn't have to beat on them very hard at all.

Jim

 

[TurboJim]

Originally posted by turbojimmy

I realize that hammering them out is the "wrong" way, but it worked and I really didn't have to beat on them very hard at all.

Jim

It IS? uh oh, I must be a butcher the last 20 years.

I beat em out, then support the flange with the vise jaws and beat the new ones in. :shrug: works for me

 

[turboman38]

I just did this but used studs that are 3/8 of inch longer than stock studs. You can buy them at Pep Boys. You also can use your stock lug nuts and still retain the lugnut caps. I have the part number of the studs at home. If anybody is interested let me know an I will post the part number when I get home tonight.

 

[CraigT]

Originally posted by TurboJim
Jim:

Are they stock thread? Or 7/16 or 1/2 studs? If stock (metric) thread, whee di yuo find them? If larger, did you haveta drill the hub flange? or was the shank oof the stud milled down to go in the stock holes? My only issue is centering the stud if you hadta drill the holes out. I need lomger studs too and this is whats holding me up...... well plus my garage isnt wide enough to pull the axles

They are the 1/2 SAE threads. They will fit through the whell with no problems. I used the moroso double ended tapered lugs. But they do not have enough taper to hold the centercaps, just enough taper for the rims.