Quick answer: The 5x5.5 bolt pattern has five lug holes on a 5.5-inch circle. That equals 139.7 mm, so it is the same pattern as 5x139.7.
It is a common truck and SUV pattern, but year and model matter. Always confirm your own vehicle before you buy wheels.
Buying wheels is fun until the box arrives and the holes do not line up. We have all stared at a wheel that looks perfect and fits nothing. This guide helps you avoid that moment.
What the 5x5.5 Bolt Pattern Means
The first number is the lug count. The second number is the diameter of the circle those lugs sit on. Wheel retailers call this the pitch circle diameter, or PCD.
So "5x5.5" means five lug holes placed on a circle 5.5 inches across. Performance Plus Tire describes the metric version the same way, as five holes on a 139.7 mm circle.
How to read the label
- 5 = number of lug holes.
- 5.5 = circle diameter in inches.
- 139.7 = the same circle diameter in millimetres.
5x5.5 vs 5x139.7: The Conversion
They are one pattern with two names. The performanceplustire.com guide confirms that 139.7 mm converts to exactly 5.5 inches.
The maths is simple. Divide millimetres by 25.4 to get inches. Metric listings round the number, so you will see both labels in shops.
| Imperial label | Metric label | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| 5x5 | 5x127 | 5 in × 25.4 = 127 mm |
| 5x5.5 | 5x139.7 | 5.5 in × 25.4 = 139.7 mm |
Vehicles That Use the 5x5.5 Bolt Pattern
This pattern shows up mostly on trucks and body-on-frame SUVs. Performance Plus Tire lists these examples with year ranges.
| Vehicle | Years listed |
|---|---|
| Dodge Ram 1500 | 1994–2010 |
| Ford F-100 | 1956–1986 |
| Jeep CJ5 | 1955–1983 |
| Mitsubishi Pajero | 1982–1999 |
| Kia Sportage | 2005–2010 |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 2006–2015 |
Source: Performance Plus Tire. The same retailer notes the list depends on trim level and production year.
The same retailer also names the Jeep CJ-7, Suzuki Samurai and Sidekick, and older Ford half-ton trucks and the Bronco.
Year matters as much as model. That guide warns that later Ram 1500 generations changed to a six-lug pattern. If your truck is not in your owner's manual as 5x139.7, measure it.
Quick checklist before you trust any list
- Check the exact model year, not just the model name.
- Compare the pattern in your owner's manual or on a factory wheel listing.
- Confirm the lug count by counting studs, not guessing.
- Ask a tyre shop to verify if you are still unsure.
Patterns That Look Similar but Do Not Fit
Close is not close enough with wheels. A 5x5 pattern is 5x127, which sits 12.7 mm inside the 5x139.7 circle. That is half an inch, and half an inch is plenty to ruin your weekend.
Performance Plus Tire notes that modern Jeep Wranglers use 5x127, not 5x139.7. A wheel that is almost right still will not seat on the hub.
- 5x5 (5x127): same lug count, smaller circle.
- 6x5.5 (6x139.7): same circle, but six lugs instead of five.
- 5x5.5 (5x139.7): the pattern covered in this guide.
How to Measure a 5-Lug Bolt Pattern
Five-lug wheels have no stud directly opposite another. That makes measuring awkward. König Wheels shares a formula for this: for five studs, PCD equals S divided by 0.5878.
Here S is the distance between the centres of two neighbouring studs.
- Park on level ground and use the wheel off the vehicle if possible.
- Measure from the centre of one stud to the centre of the next.
- Divide that number by 0.5878.
- Compare the result with 139.7 mm.
- Count the studs again to confirm there are five.
For example, a 5x139.7 pattern gives about 82.1 mm between neighbouring studs. Measuring by hand is rough, so treat your result as a check rather than final proof.
Centre Bore, Hub-Centric Wheels and Hub Rings
The bolt pattern is only one part of fitment. The centre bore matters too. Tire Rack explains that the centre bore is the machined opening that centres the wheel on the hub.
Factory wheels usually match the hub closely. Aftermarket wheels often use a larger bore so one design fits many vehicles. Discount Tire says hub rings fill that gap for a more factory-like fit.
| Type | What centres the wheel | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Hub-centric | Centre bore fits the hub | Fit as normal and torque correctly |
| Lug-centric | The lug nuts | Torque with the wheel off the ground, as Tire Rack advises |
| Lug-centric with hub rings | Ring bridges bore and hub | Pick rings sized to your wheel and hub |
Limitless Tire adds that the ring's outer diameter matches the wheel's centre bore. Its inner diameter matches your hub.
Safe Installation Checklist
A correct bolt pattern gets the wheel on. Correct torque keeps it on. Continental says loose lug nuts carry a small risk of a wheel coming off while driving.
- Find the torque value in your owner's manual. It varies by vehicle, wheel type and nut size.
- Thread each nut on by hand until it touches the wheel.
- Tighten in a crisscross star pattern with a torque wrench.
- Skip anti-seize on studs and nuts. The Wheel Group advises against it.
- Re-torque after 50 to 100 miles, as the same source recommends.
Wheel Spacers and Adapters
Some owners use adapters to run 5x139.7 wheels on a different pattern. Performance Plus Tire suggests a quality hub-centric adapter. It also says to confirm the extra width still clears fenders and suspension.
Suspension setups can change how a truck handles bumps. Our guide on SuperPro bushes for rough city roads covers one related upgrade. Planning a bigger build? Read why dealer accessory packages are not the only way to build a truck.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming 5x5 and 5x5.5 are interchangeable.
- Trusting a model name without checking the year.
- Ignoring the centre bore on aftermarket wheels.
- Using an impact gun for final tightening instead of a torque wrench.
- Skipping the re-torque after the first drive.
FAQ: 5x5.5 Bolt Pattern
Is 5x5.5 the same as 5x139.7?
Yes. 5x5.5 is the imperial label and 5x139.7 is the metric label for the same pattern.
Can I fit 5x5 wheels on a 5x5.5 hub?
No. The 5x5 pattern is 5x127 mm, so the holes sit 12.7 mm off. They will not match the studs.
How soon should I re-torque lug nuts?
The Wheel Group advises a check after 50 to 100 miles. Use the torque value from your owner's manual.
Do I need hub-centric rings?
Often, yes, when the wheel's centre bore is larger than your hub. Rings bridge that gap and help centre the wheel.
Final Thoughts
The 5x5.5 bolt pattern is simple once you know the labels. Match the lug count, the 139.7 mm circle, and the centre bore. Then torque the nuts properly and check them again after a short drive.
Sources
- Performance Plus Tire: What Cars Have a 5x139.7 (5x5.5) Bolt Pattern?
- Performance Plus Tire: 5x139.7 Bolt Pattern
- Tire Rack: Wheel centerbore and lug-centric wheels
- Discount Tire: Hub-centric vs. lug-centric wheels
- Limitless Tire: Hub-centric rings
- König Wheels: PCD calculation formula
- Continental Tires: Retorquing wheels
- The Wheel Group: Installing your wheels
Quick answer: The 5x5.5 bolt pattern has five lug holes on a 5.5-inch circle. That equals 139.7 mm, so it is the same pattern as 5x139.7.
It is a common truck and SUV pattern, but year and model matter. Always confirm your own vehicle before you buy wheels.
Buying wheels is fun until the box arrives and the holes do not line up. We have all stared at a wheel that looks perfect and fits nothing. This guide helps you avoid that moment.
What the 5x5.5 Bolt Pattern Means
The first number is the lug count. The second number is the diameter of the circle those lugs sit on. Wheel retailers call this the pitch circle diameter, or PCD.
So "5x5.5" means five lug holes placed on a circle 5.5 inches across. Performance Plus Tire describes the metric version the same way, as five holes on a 139.7 mm circle.
How to read the label
- 5 = number of lug holes.
- 5.5 = circle diameter in inches.
- 139.7 = the same circle diameter in millimetres.
5x5.5 vs 5x139.7: The Conversion
They are one pattern with two names. The performanceplustire.com guide confirms that 139.7 mm converts to exactly 5.5 inches.
The maths is simple. Divide millimetres by 25.4 to get inches. Metric listings round the number, so you will see both labels in shops.
| Imperial label | Metric label | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| 5x5 | 5x127 | 5 in × 25.4 = 127 mm |
| 5x5.5 | 5x139.7 | 5.5 in × 25.4 = 139.7 mm |
Vehicles That Use the 5x5.5 Bolt Pattern
This pattern shows up mostly on trucks and body-on-frame SUVs. Performance Plus Tire lists these examples with year ranges.
| Vehicle | Years listed |
|---|---|
| Dodge Ram 1500 | 1994–2010 |
| Ford F-100 | 1956–1986 |
| Jeep CJ5 | 1955–1983 |
| Mitsubishi Pajero | 1982–1999 |
| Kia Sportage | 2005–2010 |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 2006–2015 |
Source: Performance Plus Tire. The same retailer notes the list depends on trim level and production year.
The same retailer also names the Jeep CJ-7, Suzuki Samurai and Sidekick, and older Ford half-ton trucks and the Bronco.
Year matters as much as model. That guide warns that later Ram 1500 generations changed to a six-lug pattern. If your truck is not in your owner's manual as 5x139.7, measure it.
Quick checklist before you trust any list
- Check the exact model year, not just the model name.
- Compare the pattern in your owner's manual or on a factory wheel listing.
- Confirm the lug count by counting studs, not guessing.
- Ask a tyre shop to verify if you are still unsure.
Patterns That Look Similar but Do Not Fit
Close is not close enough with wheels. A 5x5 pattern is 5x127, which sits 12.7 mm inside the 5x139.7 circle. That is half an inch, and half an inch is plenty to ruin your weekend.
Performance Plus Tire notes that modern Jeep Wranglers use 5x127, not 5x139.7. A wheel that is almost right still will not seat on the hub.
- 5x5 (5x127): same lug count, smaller circle.
- 6x5.5 (6x139.7): same circle, but six lugs instead of five.
- 5x5.5 (5x139.7): the pattern covered in this guide.
How to Measure a 5-Lug Bolt Pattern
Five-lug wheels have no stud directly opposite another. That makes measuring awkward. König Wheels shares a formula for this: for five studs, PCD equals S divided by 0.5878.
Here S is the distance between the centres of two neighbouring studs.
- Park on level ground and use the wheel off the vehicle if possible.
- Measure from the centre of one stud to the centre of the next.
- Divide that number by 0.5878.
- Compare the result with 139.7 mm.
- Count the studs again to confirm there are five.
For example, a 5x139.7 pattern gives about 82.1 mm between neighbouring studs. Measuring by hand is rough, so treat your result as a check rather than final proof.
Centre Bore, Hub-Centric Wheels and Hub Rings
The bolt pattern is only one part of fitment. The centre bore matters too. Tire Rack explains that the centre bore is the machined opening that centres the wheel on the hub.
Factory wheels usually match the hub closely. Aftermarket wheels often use a larger bore so one design fits many vehicles. Discount Tire says hub rings fill that gap for a more factory-like fit.
| Type | What centres the wheel | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Hub-centric | Centre bore fits the hub | Fit as normal and torque correctly |
| Lug-centric | The lug nuts | Torque with the wheel off the ground, as Tire Rack advises |
| Lug-centric with hub rings | Ring bridges bore and hub | Pick rings sized to your wheel and hub |
Limitless Tire adds that the ring's outer diameter matches the wheel's centre bore. Its inner diameter matches your hub.
Safe Installation Checklist
A correct bolt pattern gets the wheel on. Correct torque keeps it on. Continental says loose lug nuts carry a small risk of a wheel coming off while driving.
- Find the torque value in your owner's manual. It varies by vehicle, wheel type and nut size.
- Thread each nut on by hand until it touches the wheel.
- Tighten in a crisscross star pattern with a torque wrench.
- Skip anti-seize on studs and nuts. The Wheel Group advises against it.
- Re-torque after 50 to 100 miles, as the same source recommends.
Wheel Spacers and Adapters
Some owners use adapters to run 5x139.7 wheels on a different pattern. Performance Plus Tire suggests a quality hub-centric adapter. It also says to confirm the extra width still clears fenders and suspension.
Suspension setups can change how a truck handles bumps. Our guide on SuperPro bushes for rough city roads covers one related upgrade. Planning a bigger build? Read why dealer accessory packages are not the only way to build a truck.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming 5x5 and 5x5.5 are interchangeable.
- Trusting a model name without checking the year.
- Ignoring the centre bore on aftermarket wheels.
- Using an impact gun for final tightening instead of a torque wrench.
- Skipping the re-torque after the first drive.
FAQ: 5x5.5 Bolt Pattern
Is 5x5.5 the same as 5x139.7?
Yes. 5x5.5 is the imperial label and 5x139.7 is the metric label for the same pattern.
Can I fit 5x5 wheels on a 5x5.5 hub?
No. The 5x5 pattern is 5x127 mm, so the holes sit 12.7 mm off. They will not match the studs.
How soon should I re-torque lug nuts?
The Wheel Group advises a check after 50 to 100 miles. Use the torque value from your owner's manual.
Do I need hub-centric rings?
Often, yes, when the wheel's centre bore is larger than your hub. Rings bridge that gap and help centre the wheel.
Final Thoughts
The 5x5.5 bolt pattern is simple once you know the labels. Match the lug count, the 139.7 mm circle, and the centre bore. Then torque the nuts properly and check them again after a short drive.
Sources
- Performance Plus Tire: What Cars Have a 5x139.7 (5x5.5) Bolt Pattern?
- Performance Plus Tire: 5x139.7 Bolt Pattern
- Tire Rack: Wheel centerbore and lug-centric wheels
- Discount Tire: Hub-centric vs. lug-centric wheels
- Limitless Tire: Hub-centric rings
- König Wheels: PCD calculation formula
- Continental Tires: Retorquing wheels
- The Wheel Group: Installing your wheels