Why does the Viper use 6 lug bolts?

[grappa]

Most other cars use 5 lugs so what reason other than cosmetics require 6?

 

[dave6666]

TORQUE!!!!

 

[mad0953]

TORQUE!!!!

To interpret Dave's answer......he means 6 lugs are stronger than 5.

Dr. Ima A. Hole

 

[xlrashn]

Most other cars use 5 lugs so what reason other than cosmetics require 6?

You see, that is tightly gaurded national security type of information. See, I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

 

[FATHERFORD]

Torque isnt the answer.

I've launched 1.3 sixty's 700+rwhp on 4 lug fox bodys mustangs... 5 lug setups are getting launched with over 2000rwhp and not breaking...

I'm sure there is another reason.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

what's the best part is there is no real reason for someone to steal your wheels!

 

[Warfang]

Torque isnt the answer.

I've launched 1.3 sixty's 700+rwhp on 4 lug fox bodys mustangs... 5 lug setups are getting launched with over 2000rwhp and not breaking...

I'm sure there is another reason.

Of course it's torque. If your 5 bolts can handle all that, then 6 will do even more, right? The few ounces gained gives you an exponentially stronger setup. Nobrainer there.

 

[Warfang]

what's the best part is there is no real reason for someone to steal your wheels!

...unless the thief has a viper too.

 

[Chopper]

Strength.My Chevy SSr had 6 lugs as well.Same reason you see multi-lugs on big trucks.TOM.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Its prob just another way of Viper taxing us. 6 lugnuts cost more than 5

 

[Jerome Sparich]

Because the Dakota had 6lugs at that time.

Think about it ...

 

[snakebitdave]

Because with four wheels you have two dozen nuts. The more nuts the better.

 

[fqberful]

Hmmm ... Dodge Dakota has 6 lug, RAM SRT10 has 5 ... Though the stud diameters are significantly different, I don't think the "torque" argument stands up here. I'd like to hear the real answer from a Dodge Engineer. But I'll bet in the Vipers case it has more to do with strength in a smaller bolt circle ... Smaller lug pattern diameter / flange, less weight, and this is unsprung weight.

 

[Jerome Sparich]

Hmmm ... Dodge Dakota has 6 lug,.

Had 6, since 05 has had 5 lugs

I will say it again, because the Dakota had 6. The hubs were the same when the Viper came out. Remember the car has lots of parts bin items on it.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Because 7 would be overkill.

 

[ViperTony]

Because 7 would be overkill.

...and 5 is too few and an odd number. 6 is better and an even number.

 

[mad0953]

I got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's the reason Dave6666 has that screen name. If the Viper had 5 lugs he would be Dave5555, and if the Viper only had 3 wheels with 6 lugs he would be Dave666. Eureka!!!!!

 

[chimazo]

I'm quite sure Jerome is correct. Dodge had nothing else in the parts bin at the time that would have worked (i.e. - no rear wheel drive cars), so the Dakota hubs were used to save on development costs.

Plenty of cars with as much or more torque than Vipers never have issues with "only" 5 lugs. The # of lugs are only part of the equation, along with stud dia., material, and length, as well as the space between them in terms of having sufficient material for wheel integrity where it actually bolts to the hub.

 

[DAMN YANKEE]

With me in the car...there are 7.

 

[big-n-italian]

With me in the car...there are 7.

wouldnt that be 25?

 

[JonB]

Jerome and Chimazo get the lolipop on this one. At VOI-10 you can meet the guy who refined the "parts bin selection" that took several items from Dakota, including the hubs.

You would be amazed at some parts bin stuff from AMC, Renault, Merkur, and more.

 

[Snakemobile]

I thought that it was to prevent customers from putting 5 lug wheels on the car that may not be strong enough to handle the torque and power. Wheels seem to be stronger now-days...

 

[Matt M PA]

I remember well that it was as Jon stated....'cause way back when, they used Dakota hubs. And, any other number of parts bin goodies.

 

[ViperGTS]

It's just si(e)xy!

 

[01ACR/VIPER]

Had 6, since 05 has had 5 lugs

I will say it again, because the Dakota had 6. The hubs were the same when the Viper came out. Remember the car has lots of parts bin items on it.

You are exactly right sir....it is the same hub used on the dak in the early years.

 

[Warfang]

Whatever the reason... it IS technically stronger right? Granted there probably wont be a noticable difference unless the car was 3000lbs heavier and 2000hp's more.

The OCD in me likes 6 lugs because my wheels are 6-spokes. Now I suppose if I had a 5-spoker, I'd demand 5 lugs.

 

[big-n-italian]

i doubt the viper was given six wheel nuts for strength purposes. take a look at the rear wheels on a NHRA prostock drag car (2,000 HP?) or alchohol funny car (8,000 HP?). they all run five lug nut wheels. five wheel nuts appear to have plenty of strength.

 

[dave6666]

Why does my F350 have 8 lugs with only 325 hp and 450 ft lbs of torque?

And a half ton has 6 lugs, and an 8000 hp funny car has 5 lugs?

I don't think any of us are really doing the equation correctly, but will point out in regards to the dragster... What is the bolt circle diameter? Stud diameter? How long do they need to last?

I can answer my third question. They need to make it 1/4 of a mile. What, about 1400 feet or so?

 

[viperdude118]

They need to make it 1/4 of a mile. What, about 1400 feet or so?

1320 ft Dave.

Also 6 lugs take longer to remove the wheels than 5 lugs. I curse everytime I have to take the wheels off.

 

[vipermech1]

The rear bearing was a 6 lug dakota brg. Viper in it's early
stages was in the jeep/dodge pickup devolpment buildings that
were in detroit. And there used what was available.