[NOITALL]

I've never seen the answer to this question. /images/graemlins/freak3.gif

 

[dodgeviper22]

I think it relates to why the dodge trucks have the same thing.

 

[Tie]

The assembly is from the Dodge truck.

I read where in trying to keep cost down DC decided to use as many exsisting parts as they could to thwart R&D costs for new component development.

The reasoning behind the using of the truck parts is that they are heavy enough to to meet the demands that may be placed on such a critical component.

 

[Mister Bone]

Strength for the extreme side loads the Viper encounters during sustained high speed cornering. The same reason that the Mustang went from 4 to 5, which is strong enough for them. /images/graemlins/laughing.gif

Would not want to lose a wheel because you broke off the studs would you?

 

[Smokin]

Funny how it was seemingly done for strength yet the 96 rims were infamous for failing. Hmmm, maybe that was the intetion in the design phase in 92 but I think the strength concept got lost somewhere.

 

[Tie]

Cast wheels are not for racing they are for looks. The six bolt pattern hub with pruners or like racing wheels is where the strenght comes in. What do 96 wheels have to do with this topic anyway?

 

[Slow Eddie]

What do 96 wheels have to do with this topic anyway?

just a little something called irony.

 

[APEX Motorsports]

What do 96 wheels have to do with this topic anyway?

Well, when you see a '96 hub with the wheel center bolted to it but not the rest of the wheel, you'll understand. It's not a pretty sight. I guess the point is that the 6-bolt design is certainly strong, but the '96 wheels weren't (when used with sticky tires). Yikes! :ugh:

 

[SRT Mike]

It has nothing to do with strength, IMO... how many highly modified Vettes, or Ferraris, or even Supras are losing wheel hubs? Has anyone heard of it happening due to a 5-lug not being strong enough?

The Viper has 6 lugs because the hubs are from the Dakota. I don't know why they used that particular one - most likely because it was one of the few that could handle ~500lb-ft and the fact that it happened to have 6 lugs was just incidental.

 

[Smokin]

Well you can look in a Mechanical Engineering Design guide and both the bolt pattern and amount of bolts required to handle both a sheer and tensile load affect the overall strength of the connection, but I do agree with Mike here. With all the other design flaws of hte viper, i think basic economics was the driving factor

 

[APEX Motorsports]

With all the other design flaws of hte viper, i think basic economics was the driving factor

Oh, absolutely! I'm sure Dodge said, "Hey, as long as we're robbing the parts bin, let's just go for something more than strong enough," and the 6-bolt hubs fit the bill.

 

[Captain Bli]

It is done for strength, Im sure there was some other reasons but they are stronger.

 

[NOITALL]

thanks for the answers. this came up last week and I was stumped.

 

[GTS Dean]

Many elements of the Viper came directly out of corporate parts bins. The 4WD Dakota provided a number of suspension and driveline items.