I'm currently investigating some D60s for my JK. While I'm sure an 8x6.5 lug pattern is beyond the needs of my JK, it does offer me some flexibility with my 2500 Dodge Ram. I'm definitely also due for some new tires, and for different needs/seasons, I could easily see using 3 different tire styles. Wheels, tire size and backspacing are the same on either vehicle, just a lug pattern difference.

Anyway, just curious as to if there are any drawbacks to this that I haven't thought of as I'd love to take advantage of the extra flexibility it would provide.

 

Responding to my own post in hopes of getting some insight. Perhaps this would be better suited for the "Extreme JK Tech" section, but I certainly believe there are bright enough minds here to at least throw out some opinions.

Thanks in advance for any and all comments or opinions even if they're something to the affect of "Do you really need more nuts?".

 

None I am aware of. Are you wanting to keep ABS and ESP? You'll need to have tone rings if yes.

 

Yeah definitely want to keep ABS and something I wasn't thinking about. I believe JK tone rings can be part of the various packages from Currie or Dynatrac.

Thanks!

 

River Raider has a D60 front and GM 14 bolt FF rear in his new build. Supposed to be unveiled at EJS. Has everything to work with ESP. Pretty sure he kept his 8 lug but I'd have to double check.

 

Thanks for the info.

Looking at Dynatracs page it appears that I can get it together there, and couldn't really discern if I could get it done from Currie. Definitely concerned just as much about stopping as having a viable platform for 37s, so getting a bigger brake package is what I would view as essential.

 

I've got Dynatrac full float 60's front and rear. It has all the hook-ups for ABS, ESP. My jeep will be out at EJS: HD Customs is taking it out there to show.

 

Oh yeah, a sport car it isn't! Just always need to be prepared for the make up applying, late to work, reading the paper, spilling a cup of coffee and sexting all at the same time driver who is working on bettering the gene pool when I peel their carcass off my Ram or JK bumper. As cautious as I am, with the wife claiming I drive like an old man, I still end up in at least one panic stop situation a month.

Anyway, the primary point in carrying out this exercise is to accomodate the different tire needs I have, Snow, AT and MT, across 2 vehicles.

 

Personally, if some day I upgrade to D60's on my JK, I would accept nothing less than a 8x6.5 pattern. I have seen studs sheer off on 5 lug patterns. And with as heavy as a 37-40" tire is, I would want the extra strength of a 1 ton lug pattern.

You should be able to get 8 lug axles from DynaTrac.

I can't think of any downsides. 8x6.5 is a very common lug pattern, its been in use for over 50 years. And the extra strength (near double) is worth it IMHO.

 

Oh yeah, wheel selection is about twice that of 5x5 or 5x5.5s.