5 lugs Bird conversion...

Topic: 5 lugs Bird conversion... (Read 2130 times) previous topic - next topic

5 lugs Bird conversion...

November 27, 2006, 03:20:49 PM

Hello,

I want to convert My 1985 bird (was a base bird when new) from 4 to 5 lugs, the question is: A rotors and rear axle from a Ford Ranger will fit on a 1985 Bird????...

If yes, what the year fit on?, or if not, I'll take all the setup on what Ford/mercury vehicle?...

Thank You very much!

5 lugs Bird conversion...

Reply #1 – November 27, 2006, 05:02:38 PM

Mustang spindles and calipers,Ford Aerostar rotors (mustang rotor bearings),or,Mark VII rotors,2 driver side rear axle shafts from Ford Ranger and the drums,and brake lines..I may be missing something.There are other ways including the newer Mustang front spindles,calipers and rotors also.

5 lugs Bird conversion...

Reply #2 – November 27, 2006, 05:48:48 PM

i used rotors from an 85 ranger on my 84 bird. I had to use one of the bearings from the ranger and one from the bird... and the rear end i threw a lincoln mark 7 rear end in it... however i don't recommend the lincoln rear end.

5 lugs Bird conversion...

Reply #3 – November 27, 2006, 06:19:01 PM

There are a LOT of ways to accomplish this.

I used '94-95 Mustang front spindles/brakes and got a pair of Bronco II axles and the 9x2" drums on the truck. The axles went right into my stock rear end and the drums slipped right over my stock brakes.

FYI - the axles in the Bronco II / Ranger are different lengths, so you'll need to get the driver's side axle out of two different rear ends for it to work. This will also make your rear end narrower by 3/4" on each side. The '83-86 Tbird/Cougars used a longer axle and an offset drum to get the extra width, but otherwise use the exact same rear end found in Mustangs.

More pictures than you could possibly need can be found here: http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=11309

5 lugs Bird conversion...

Reply #4 – November 27, 2006, 07:21:21 PM

Quote from: 46Tbird;115822

The '83-86 Tbird/Cougars used a longer axle and an offset drum to get the extra width, but otherwise use the exact same rear end found in Mustangs.

Unless the car is equiped with 10" brakes then the backing plates are different and you are unable to use ranger axles. There is no off the shelf drum to fit.

*edit* The axle change was in 85 not 86.

5 lugs Bird conversion...

Reply #5 – November 27, 2006, 07:58:19 PM

You will have to check your build date on your door tag to see when your car was built. The older, Mustang-width axle was produced from ~1/83 until 11/84. After 11/84 the specific Cougar/T-Bird width rear axle went into production. As mentioned, there is a difference with the hat section for the rear drum brakes. You can also check by visually inspecting your rear drums. If there is a pr0nounced hat section bump out, you have the earlier rear axle. A flatter hat section denotes the later axle.

If you have the later-built T-Bird, then to do the simplest swap, using a full factory configuration:

- 10", 5-lug rotors (cheapest is $99/pair from North Cobras)
- Pair of 1994-98 Mustang axle shafts, ~29 5/8"
- Pair of Ford Racing 9", 5-lug drums (M-1126-D, list $40/ea. US)

More info here.

Thank You very much Guy's!!!.

Reply #6 – November 28, 2006, 02:20:05 AM

Hello,

Just a couple of words first to say a BIG THANK YOU for Your very very helpful info You have posted, This will save to Me a lot of time, save a lot of junkyard to My home a couple of times to try, and check this and this for My conversion...

I have to go to My favorite junkyard this Friday, cauz I purchased from the owner of the syard a '86 Tbird in Exceptionnal condition, I never seen a 4 eyed bird like this, original paint (gold), no rust or very very very minor, the interion is like a new car, underbody is mint, I guess this bird have low mileage (not checked cauz no batt inside), the only thing, a blew gasket on the engine 3.8/232ci CFI, I'll post a pics on the forum (on the lounge) when I have in My driveway...

The car is s on the paper, But this spring when I go out Mu '85 bird for the summer, I'll put in My basp00get garage, and do the most urgent to go at the vehicle inspection to remain on the road and plated...

Okay, all that for say when I go to the syard for this purchase (500 CDN bucks) I'll check all the stuff I need for the conversion of My '85 Bird, I guess I'll have all I need for under 200 CDN bucks...

AGAIN! THANK YOU VERY MUCH for all precious infos You posted...

Have a nice Day!...

5 lugs Bird conversion...

Reply #7 – December 01, 2006, 03:21:49 AM

say blu84303,may I ask why you do not like the lincoln rear end.

5 lugs Bird conversion...

Reply #8 – December 01, 2006, 04:43:29 AM

mainly because it's airplane gears. And if you use the lincoln rear you should probably re-build/replace the calipers. It's good to get you by but nothing fancy performace wise.

My calipers leak around the seal and need replaced. Other than that i could live with it but i regret putting it in, it's high maintanece.

5 lugs Bird conversion...

Reply #9 – December 01, 2006, 10:35:01 AM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;115833

You will have to check your build date on your door tag to see when your car was built. The older, Mustang-width axle was produced from ~1/83 until 11/84. After 11/84 the specific Cougar/T-Bird width rear axle went into production. As mentioned, there is a difference with the hat section for the rear drum brakes. You can also check by visually inspecting your rear drums. If there is a pr0nounced hat section bump out, you have the earlier rear axle. A flatter hat section denotes the later axle.

If you have the later-built T-Bird, then to do the simplest swap, using a full factory configuration:

- 10", 5-lug rotors (cheapest is $99/pair from North Cobras)
- Pair of 1994-98 Mustang axle shafts, ~29 5/8"
- Pair of Ford Racing 9", 5-lug drums (M-1126-D, list $40/ea. US)

More info here.

Will the caps from the SN95 wheels fit over the nose of these rotors?

5 lugs Bird conversion...

Reply #10 – December 01, 2006, 10:41:41 AM

Quote from: blu84302;116419

mainly because it's airplane gears.

What?

Quote from: foxbirdlvr;116437

Will the caps from the SN95 wheels fit over the nose of these rotors?

Depends on the wheels. Some of them, you can get away with removing the dust cap at the end of the spindle and grind down the edges of the hub to get the center cap to fit.

However, all the '94-95 factory wheels will fit on those rotors without any modification.

*oops, I was thinking it was running Lincoln rotors up front. As far as I know, there are no issues with running any factory wheel with any factory rear brake setup; they should all work together.*

5 lugs Bird conversion...

Reply #11 – December 01, 2006, 12:19:47 PM

Quote from: 46Tbird;116438

What?

He means the gears ratio is whack. Like 2.08 or something. Though I'm not exactly sure where airplanes come in the picture.

5 lugs Bird conversion...

Reply #12 – December 02, 2006, 03:07:56 AM

OK,I see. I was thinking that the lincoln was to wide.Thank you blu84302 for your reply.

5 lugs Bird conversion...

Reply #13 – December 02, 2006, 08:49:10 AM

it is actually 3/4 of an inch wider on each side, but that really doesn't affect anything. Just when you go to get it aligned it makes the people doing it a bit upset.

yeah, the airplane gear is a 3.08.