If you’re in the market for new wheels for your Chevy vehicle, you may have come across 6 lug Chevy wheels. But are all 6 lug Chevy wheels the same? The answer is no, not all 6-lug Chevy wheels are the same.
Although Chevy uses the traditional 6X5.5 inches bolt pattern for most of their vehicles, many newer ones come with different bolt patterns incompatible with the old Chevy 6 lug bolt pattern.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the 6-lug Chevy wheels and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision when purchasing new wheels for your Chevy vehicle.
So, let’s dive in –
What is the bolt pattern for 6 lug Chevy wheels?
Before discussing the six-lug pattern for Chevy wheels, let’s talk about a bolt pattern. The bolt pattern is a fundamental aspect of vehicle wheel installation. It also goes by the name – lug pattern or bolt circle.
The term refers to the geometric arrangement of the bolts or studs that affix a wheel to a vehicle’s hub. To determine the bolt pattern of a vehicle’s wheel, you need the following findings – the number of bolts or lugs, the bolt circle diameter, and the distance between them.
There are different bolt or lug patterns: four-lug, five-lug, six-lug, and eight-lug bolt patterns. The one that is commonly used by most Chevy vehicles is the six-lug bolt pattern.
6×5.5-inch bolts are the most typical 6-lug Chevrolet bolt pattern (or 6×139.7mm). The number 6 represents how many bolts or lugs are on the wheel hub. And 5.5 inches (or 139.7mm) represent the distance between two adjacent bolts.
This bolt pattern is typical on various Chevy trucks and SUVs such as the Suburban, Avalanche, Silverado, and Tahoe models.
Related: The Difference Between Wheels And Rims [3 Major Reasons]
Are All 6 Lug Chevy Wheels the Same?
All six-lug Chevy wheels are not the same. Chevy vehicles have been using several different 6-lug bolt patterns over the years. The most common ones are:
- 6×5.5 inches (also referred to as 6×139.7mm) – This is the most popular 6-lug bolt pattern used on Chevy trucks and SUVs, such as Tahole, Suburban, and Avalanche.
- 6×135 mm – This bolt pattern is mainly seen on some models launched between 2003 and 2014, like Ford Expedition and Ford F-150.
- 6×120 mm – You may find this bolt pattern on some Camaro, Captiva Sport, and Equinox models.
- 6×114.3 mm – This bolt pattern can be seen on older Chevy vehicles like the Trailblazer, S10 Blazer, and Astro.
It depends on the specific year and model of the Chevy vehicle. Older Chevy models like the Avalanche and Suburban typically use the 6X139.7mm bolt pattern.
However, the latest versions of these models, alongside the relatively newer models like the Silverado and Tahoe, may use both the 6X135mm and 6X139.7mm bolt patterns, but this likely depends on the specific trim level and options.
So, to be safe, it is best to confirm the bolt pattern for your vehicle before purchasing new wheels.
How do you measure the 6 lug Chevy bolt pattern?
Measuring the bolt pattern of a six-lug Chevy wheel is not a complex task. You need to know the required measurements and note them carefully.
For a 6-lug Chevy wheel, you already know the number of bolts or lugs, that is, six. Now you just need the measurements of the bolt circle diameter and the distance between two adjacent bolts to determine the exact bolt pattern.
Here is a simple step-by-step guide to measuring the bolt pattern of a 6-lug Chevy wheel.
Step 1: Cleaning the wheel hub and bolts
In the first step, carefully clean the wheel hub and bolts. This will help you get accurate measurements.
Step 2: Measuring the bolt circle diameter
You can start by measuring the distance between the center of two opposite bolts across the hub to determine the bolt circle diameter. You must measure across the center of the wheel for the exact data.
Step 3: Measuring the distance between two adjacent bolts
Now you need to measure the distance from one bolt’s center to the next’s center. You must ensure to take the measurements across the center of the wheel.
You should get all the results at the end of this step. As you can see, it is a straightforward task. Alternatively, you can use a bolt pattern gauge to quickly determine the bolt pattern of a 6-lug Chevy wheel.
Chevy models according to their 6-lug bolt pattern
Understanding the different bolt patterns is vital to upgrade or replace your Chevy’s wheels. Installing wheels with an incorrect bolt pattern can lead to improper fitment, which can cause damage to your vehicle and compromise your safety on the road.
Therefore, consult your vehicle owner’s manual or, if possible, a wheel expert to determine the appropriate bolt pattern for your Chevy vehicle.
Following is a table showing some standard Chevy models and their corresponding 6-lug bolt patterns:
| Chevy Model | Year | 6-lug Bolt Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| S10 Blazer | 1983-1994 | 6×114.3mm |
| Astro | 1985-2005 | 6×114.3mm |
| Suburban | 1995-2022 | 6×5.5″ / 6×139.7mm |
| Tahoe | 1995-2022 | 6×5.5″ / 6×139.7mm |
| Silverado 1500 | 1999-2022 | 6×5.5″ / 6×139.7mm |
| Silverado 2500HD / 3500HD | 2001-2022 | 6×5.5″ / 6×139.7mm |
| Trailblazer | 2002-2009 | 6×114.3mm |
| Colorado | 2004-2022 | 6x120mm |
| Camaro | 2010-2015 | 6x120mm |
| Captiva Sport | 2012-2015 | 6x120mm |
| Equinox | 2018-2022 | 6x120mm |
| Ford F-150 | 2004-2014 | 6X135mm |
| Ford Expedition | 2003-2014 | 6X135mm |