4 lug to 5 lug

[JL1958]

I want to change out my 15" wheels, so I have more tire options. I'm afraid the 4 lug hubs will limit my wheel choices. Can I swap out the hubs or are there any adapters?

[EJ III]

You can purchase 5 lug axles for the 8.8. what spindles are you running on the front?

[Walt]

You can get the whole set up at late model restoration, they have the kit for 400. Its what I used for mine

[68GT500MAN]

For the rear you sway out the axels. For the front you swap the rotors. There are may available in the Mustang world.
Doug

[Ray]

This is what I did...

5 Lug Conversion Options:

This page is mostly geared towards the stock 4 lug wheels and stock 87-93 GT/LX wheels. Hence the "budget" name to the page. Here are your options for converting to 5 lug:

For the front rotors, use the rotors from a mid 80's Lincoln Continental, Lincoln Mark VII (85-91), or '84-'86 SVO. This will keep the cost down and allow you to keep the stock front brakes. You can buy the rotors for about $40-60 each. You an also purchase after market front rotors like the Power Slot brand in 5 lug. These cost about $99 each.

**Important note here! The SVO/Lincoln front rotors will NOT work with the Ford 98 & 99+ Cobra, Y2K Cobra R wheels, and 97+GT 17" wheels. Most of the wheels will mount up (98 cobra and the Bullitt wheels will not), but you will not be able to mount the center cap due to the larger dust cap on the rotor. To run these wheels, you need to convert over to the SN95 front brakes (this includes spindles, rotors, hubs and calipers). Please check this [link] for all the info and parts you need. Alternatively you can use a wheel spacer, but it is not recommended.

The Lincoln/SVO rotors will work for the 95 Cobra R wheel, 16" SN95 Pony wheel, and 99+ 15" & 16" wheel since they have a different center design and cap. If the center of the wheel is recessed, the Lincoln/SVO dust rotor will most likely be too large for the center cap of the wheel.

The 1995 Ford Cobra R wheel comes in two different offsets, 24 mm and 36 mm. The original Cobra R wheel, the R58, has a 24 mm backspacing which is good for all four corners of a SN-95 car. The R58 also fits well in front of a Fox body car that has the Cobra brake upgrade. But the rear of a Fox M2300-K car requires use a later model, the M179, which has 36 mm of backspacing, and therefore places the wheel 12 mm further inboard to clear the fender well.

To keep the stock rear wheel offset, the '83-'92 Ranger/Bronco II Left (driver) side axle (29-5/32") from a 4cyl or 3.0L V-6 with the 7.5" rear end, or '86-'97 Aerostar RIGHT side axles (29-5/32") is what you want. They are the same rear axles; the center section is just on the opposite side when you compare the rear ends. You will need the drums from either of these vehicles also if you are staying with rear 9" drums. The 7.5 axle Rangers & Aerostars use 9" drums. These parts are direct 5 lug replacements for the stock 9" rear drums on the 79-93 Mustangs.

**Important: Don't get the axles and drums from a Ranger with the 4.0L engine, as they use 10" rear drums with a wider 8.8" axle (unless you want to convert to larger drums!)

Most of the larger mail order companies have kits that you can purchase, although they are overpriced! The front conversion using the SVO/Lincoln parts running $180-199 for the front 11" rotors (which you can buy for about $40-60 each) and the rear axles and drums for $180-199 (less than $50 from a Ranger or Aerostar).

Ray

[JL1958]

Thanks Ray. My brother-in-law just told me the same thing about the Ranger earlier today.
But I thought I read that the Lincoln 5 bolt pattern was different than the Mustang 5 bolt pattern. Is there more of a difference than just the center cap hole size?
I really just want to find some decent tires, but I run into to 15" tire issue. Then when I look to upgrade to a larger wheel to get decent tire options, I hit the 4 lug vs 5 lug. It's getting frustrating.

[Atcogas]

Thanks Ray. My brother-in-law just told me the same thing about the Ranger earlier today.
But I thought I read that the Lincoln 5 bolt pattern was different than the Mustang 5 bolt pattern. Is there more of a difference than just the center cap hole size?
I really just want to find some decent tires, but I run into to 15" tire issue. Then when I look to upgrade to a larger wheel to get decent tire options, I hit the 4 lug vs 5 lug. It's getting frustrating.

I second the conversion. $400 from American muscle delivered. Easy swap.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I second the conversion. $400 from *********** delivered. Easy swap.

Or better yet support a forum vendor and get everything from Richard Oben at NORTH RACECARS (http://www.northracecars.com/Brakes.html)

Jeff

[JL1958]

Thanks guys. I've been thru all of the build receipts I got with the car, but I'm not sure what spindles were used. I guess my first task will be to determine what I have so I can figure out what I need.

[CraigS]

Do the rotors pop off the front hub by sliding them off the lugnuts? If so you have SN95. http://www.breezeautomotive.com/details.php?prod_id=422&cat_id=34
If the rotors are the same part as the hub you have Fox. http://www.breezeautomotive.com/details.php?prod_id=311&cat_id=1

[Jeff Kleiner]

There was never a 4 lug SN95 so by default you can assume that Fox components were used.

Jeff