Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread June 10, 2008, 10:00:46 PM Hi--newbie Monte here needing help in Myrtle Beach...I have a real, early-model hybrid--that being a 49 Ford grafted onto an 87 T-Bird Sport chassis, but my rear axle bearing, seal & shaft went kaput on one side. I now have stock 4-lug axles/hubs & drums redrilled for my 5-lug wheels & I want to go straight to a 5-lug axle. [I can just re-use my redrilled drums]I looked-up an 87 Ranger axle (was told an 83-92 should be a direct fit)--but the bearing was not the same part # as for an 87 TBird--so am confused. [It did show, however, the same axle "repair bearing" to fit both??]Has anyone done this simple, direct conversion (7.5" rear, 9" drums)& does a std bearing fit same? [I realize the "repair bearing would stick out another 3/8" or so.] Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #1 – June 10, 2008, 10:42:34 PM ranger axles wont fit the 87 7.5 rear. they are too short. better off buying a fox mustang 8.8" and using the ranger axles and drums.and BTW, post more pics of your ride! Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #2 – June 11, 2008, 08:13:35 AM I understand there is a diff in length of Ranger axles w/ Right side about 3" shorter than Left side--& I would need use 2-Left sides, at around 29 5/8" reported length vs. stock ~29 1/2"??Late last nite I found the "coolcats thread" reference where I should be able to use either:83-92 Ranger, Bronco II (2-driver's sides) @ ~29 5/8", or86-97 Aerostar Mini-van (2 pass. sides) @ ~29 5/8" also:confused: PS--attached pix under-hood & from rearPPS--these pix were taken prior to "flameing" my front hood fenders & dumping the wire wheels for Outlaw II's. I didn't realize these were "old pix"--until I saw them posted here in larger-size (+dated) than mini pix in my pix file folder...and, want to mention--"this is NOT a f'glass kit car--it's the real steel deal" Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #3 – June 11, 2008, 10:14:30 AM You missing the fact that the 86-88 7.5 housings are wider and the Ranger axles will not work.http://www.griffshp.com/belchja/forums/axledata.xls Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #4 – June 11, 2008, 10:22:53 AM Awesome. Wouldn't it be more desirable to just swap in an 8.8 from a Mark VII? I would be interested in reading/seeing more about your car. I love reading build logs about cars like yours and would like to hear about the sheet metal work that went into it.-ThanksDZ Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #5 – June 11, 2008, 07:41:37 PM If I'm not mistaken, all that's needed are right side Aerostar Axles? This is off of Eric's Cool Cat's Page...REAR BRAKE DRUMS, STOCK SIZE9" Drum BrakesMost Cougars from 1983-88 had the standard 9" rear drum brakes, as denoted by the finned side profile. Now there were two types of drums: those used on 1983 through Nov. 1984 (mid-85), and those used from Nov. 1985 (mid-85) through 1988. The earlier drums had a large hat section bump out. We haven't found any stock 5-lug drums with that larger hat section. You'll probably have to get your drums machined with the 5-lug bolt pattern.For mid-85 through 1988 owners, all you will need is new 9" 5-lug drums from either a Ranger or Aerostar. You can leave your stock backing plate and old hardware on the rear end. All there is to it---no other mods necessary.10" Drum BrakesThe 10" drum came standard on all 1988 XR7's, and possibly other cars. The side profile of a 10" drum is totally smooth. Unfortunately we don't know of a direct-swap 10" 5-lug drum although it may be possible that Rangers had them as well. You can simply get your drums machined for the 5-lug pattern to solve the problem. It's possible that there is a 10" 5-lug drum out there waiting to be swapped in. If you do find that information, please contact us so that we can share that info with everyone here.Here's the link:http://www.coolcats.net/tech/advanced/4to5lug.html Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #6 – June 12, 2008, 02:56:21 AM post up in the user rides section. I want to see more Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #7 – June 12, 2008, 09:11:09 PM Well, I had to bite a bullit yesterday a.m. (get off the pot as I was tieing-up hoist...) & ordered 2 axles (driver's side) for a mid 80's Ranger (Bronco II). I have my fingers crossed & hope this is the "fit" I'm seeking--as I pd $40 extra for 2nd day delivery... Monte Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #8 – June 12, 2008, 09:54:01 PM I guess you didn't bother to look at the chart I linked to?Methinks you will be SOL with what you bought. Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #9 – June 12, 2008, 10:02:05 PM that's what i was thinking, too. Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #10 – June 13, 2008, 07:29:24 AM Quote from: Chuck W;223304I guess you didn't bother to look at the chart I linked to?Methinks you will be SOL with what you bought.ola--I totally MISSED the link you posted (my bad)--just saw only the remark...On a more potentially positive note, however, I had measured overall length of existing axles at approx 29" & ultimately ordered Ranger/ Bronco II based-on parts-book-listed OA length of 29.125" & hopefully I'll luck-out...Makes me now think (after seeing "the chart") that perhaps the car already has a Mustang rear under it?? Axle housing does, however, have the traverse "axle stabilizer" shocks, which I didn't remember the Mustangs of this vintage having. If not, perhaps these were switched over also...??As I did not initially build the car, perhaps the rear was already switched?? The guy that built the car was a welder by trade...Axles will be in today, so we'll soon find out!Monte Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #11 – June 13, 2008, 06:42:20 PM Quote from: 49-TBird;223362ola--I totally MISSED the link you posted (my bad)--just saw only the remark...On a more potentially positive note, however, I had measured overall length of existing axles at approx 29" & ultimately ordered Ranger/ Bronco II based-on parts-book-listed OA length of 29.125" & hopefully I'll luck-out...Makes me now think (after seeing "the chart") that perhaps the car already has a Mustang rear under it?? Axle housing does, however, have the traverse "axle stabilizer" shocks, which I didn't remember the Mustangs of this vintage having. If not, perhaps these were switched over also...??As I did not initially build the car, perhaps the rear was already switched?? The guy that built the car was a welder by trade...Axles will be in today, so we'll soon find out!MonteWell, I should have known better--Friday the 13th & all...Axles came in & y'all were right==too short! When my mechanic moved car back into garage & pulled old axles again to install the new ones--he said new ones were too short (of course), & I now personally measured my existing ones & they were, in fact, approx 30". I indicated I measured 29" in earlier post--but that was Mr. Mechanic's measurements (bad memory I guess).Let's start over please,,,Are there any axles "out there" I can use in my stock 87 T-Bird 7.5" rear, same bearing, that have 5-lugs & continue to use my stock 9" drum brakes--no changing of shoes/ backing plates???Help PLEASE!--right now I'm sooooo dowwwwnnn...Monte Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #12 – June 13, 2008, 06:45:54 PM Quote from: 49-TBird;223455Well, I should have known better--Friday the 13th & all...Axles came in & y'all were right==too short! When my mechanic moved car back into garage & pulled old axles again to install the new ones--he said new ones were too short (of course), & I now personally measured my existing ones & they were, in fact, approx 30". I indicated I measured 29" in earlier post--but that was Mr. Mechanic's measurements (bad memory I guess).Let's start over please,,,Are there any axles "out there" I can use in my stock 87 T-Bird 7.5" rear, same bearing, that have 5-lugs & continue to use my stock 9" drum brakes--no changing of shoes/ backing plates???Help PLEASE!--right now I'm sooooo dowwwwnnn...Monteno, there isnt. swap in a fox mustang 7.5" or 8.8" and use the axles you just bought, redrill the drums, and reinstall your existing brakes. Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #13 – June 13, 2008, 11:02:12 PM Quote from: Chuck W;223042You missing the fact that the 86-88 7.5 housings are wider and the Ranger axles will not work.http://www.griffshp.com/belchja/forums/axledata.xlsOk Chuck, I'm getting the idea I'm just screwed. In looking at your chart/ link, I thought all 4-bolt lugs were also on a 4.5" BC--not 4.25" listed??You can add to your chart 64mm hub dia for 83-92 Ranger & Bronco II, 7.5/8.8"--as my stock drum fit over that purchased for same...I see 94-98 Mustang a perfect OA length match @ 29.9'ish"--but thought these were beginning of disk brake setups & not typical fit to setup--what's the scoop here?? (catalog lists them available either with or without ABS. Presume these are not a match for my 9" drum brakes??Also, what about the 93-97 Ranger, listed as C=29.75 in the chart vs. 30.125" in OA length catalogs (Motive Gear)--altho Adv Auto had no availability listing for it in their system??? Also, are these for 9" or 10 brake drums??Finally, the "coolcats" link:( http://www.coolcats.net/tech/advanced/4to5lug.html ) does not seem to be worth even diddley-squat regarding 80-88 TBird/Cougar rears!?!?Thanks,,, "Frustrated-at-the-beach"... Quote Selected
Oh No!--Another 5 lug conversion ? Thread Reply #14 – June 13, 2008, 11:41:54 PM Great insight about my website. Nice to know the hard work I put into it is being appreciated. I don't see what part of this paragraph isn't clear:QuoteAxle ShaftsNow you can have your stock shafts machined for the 5-lug pattern, but as affordable and plentiful as new or used 5-lug axle shafts are these days, it makes more sense to search those out. Regardless of your model year 1983-88 and your rear end width, these axle shafts will directly swap into your Cougar's rear axle:1994-98 Mustang-width axle shafts (~ 29 15/16", 7.5" or 8.8")Despite the references we've provided it seems that you're not comprehending. Sounds like you're on your own, there, buddy. You've got a hot rod...time for some hot-rod ingenuity.Good luck to you. Quote Selected
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