What year did Chevy go to 8x180?
The Chevrolet brand did not implement an 8x180 bolt pattern across its entire lineup in a single year. The 8x180 configuration appears on some GM heavy- and medium-duty trucks and chassis, not on the standard light-duty pickups like the Silverado/Sierra. In short, there isn’t a brand-wide year when Chevrolet “moved to 8x180.”
Understanding the 8x180 bolt pattern and where it shows up
The term 8x180 describes eight lug holes arranged on a circle with a 180-millimeter diameter. It’s a heavy‑duty wheel standard used to handle higher load capacities and wider hubs. This pattern is not common on most passenger cars or on Chevrolet’s standard light-duty pickups. Instead, it appears on GM’s medium- and heavy-duty platforms, where strength and stability are paramount.
For Chevy owners, this means you’re most likely to encounter 8x180 on non‑sedan GM vehicles such as certain heavy‑duty trucks and chassis cabs, rather than on the typical Silverado/Sierra models.
Vehicles commonly associated with 8x180 within Chevrolet’s lineup
Before listing specific examples, note that the use of 8x180 varies by model year and configuration. The following categories are the ones most often cited in reference materials and owner discussions:
- Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick medium- and heavy-duty trucks (Class 6-7) built on GM’s heavy‑duty chassis.
- Chevrolet Silverado 4500/5500 chassis cab variants, along with related GMC 4500/5500 configurations that share the heavier lug pattern.
- Cutaway vans and other GM chassis configurations derived from heavy‑duty platforms that require an 8-lug setup.
These examples illustrate that the 8x180 bolt pattern is tied to specific, heavier GM platforms rather than a universal year-by-year switch for Chevrolet’s entire model range.
Was there a single year when Chevrolet switched to 8x180?
No. There isn’t a definitive single year in which Chevrolet nationwide shifted all models to 8x180. The adoption, if it occurred at all for particular lines, happened at different times across separate platforms (late 1990s into the 2000s) and depended on the vehicle’s intended duty cycle. For any given vehicle, the only reliable way to confirm lug pattern is to check the exact model/year specifications from GM’s documentation or a trusted parts database.
If you’re attempting to determine compatibility for a specific truck or van, reference the VIN or consult the service literature for that exact configuration to confirm the wheel lug pattern.
Summary
In essence, Chevrolet did not enact a single, brand-wide transition to the 8x180 lug pattern. The pattern exists on GM’s heavier, medium- to heavy-duty platforms (such as Kodiak/TopKick and certain 4500/5500 chassis configurations) rather than on the core light-duty pickups. For any precise determination, identify the exact model and year and verify via official GM specifications or a trusted wheel compatibility resource.
When did Chevy change the bolt pattern on a 2500?
Chevy changed the bolt pattern on its 2500 trucks in 2011, switching from the old 8x165.1 mm (8x6.5") pattern to the new 8x180 mm pattern for the 2500HD and 3500 models. This change applies to models from 2011 to the present day.
- Before 2011: The bolt pattern was 8x165.1 mm (also known as 8x6.5").
- From 2011 to present: The bolt pattern is 8x180 mm.
Will 8x6.5 fit 8x180?
No, an 8x6.5 wheel will not fit an 8x180 bolt pattern without a wheel adapter. The bolt patterns are different, and you need to use a specialized adapter that converts the 8x6.5 bolt pattern to an 8x180 bolt pattern to make them compatible.
How to make them fit
- Purchase wheel adapters: You can buy adapters that have an 8x6.5 pattern on one side (to bolt to your vehicle) and an 8x180 pattern on the other side (to mount your wheels).
- Check vehicle compatibility: Ensure the adapter is designed for your vehicle's bolt pattern (8x6.5) and can accommodate the 8x180 wheels you want to use.
- Confirm specifications: Pay attention to other specifications like the stud size (M14x1.5cap M 14 x 1.5𝑀14𝑥1.5 is common for 8x180 wheels) and center bore size to ensure a proper fit.
- Consider potential modifications: In some cases, the factory studs on your vehicle may be too long and interfere with the wheel sitting flush. You may need to shorten the factory studs.
What year chevys are 8x180?
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Bolt Pattern - Generations:
| Generation | Production Years | Bolt pattern |
|---|---|---|
| II (GMT900) [2007 .. 2013] | 2007-2013 | 8x165.1 |
| 8x180 | ||
| III (K2XX) [2014 .. 2015] | 2014-2015 | 8x180 |
| III (K2XX) Facelift [2016 .. 2018] | 2016-2018 | 8x180 |
What year did Chevy change from 8x6.5 to 8x180?
2011
2011 was a year of change for both the GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 and also the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500. Switching from the long standing 8x6.
