New here and a 4 lug to 5 question?

[Busamike]

Hi guys, I'm new. Picking my cobra up this Sat. Its already been professionally built a few years ago, whatever that means. Anyway they used the Fox Mustang 5.0 HO donor. It has 4 lugs. I am going to change to 5 lugs by swapping rear axles and the Lincoln Mk7 front rotor swap. The real question is will Torque thrust 2 wheels fit the front. I know from the Fox sites, as I been doing research, that some wheels wont clear the dust cover for the bearing on these rotors. Just curious if anyone has made this swap. Thanks for the help or for looking and If I'm in the wrong place don't yell at me. Thanks, Mike

[rich grsc]

Can't answer about wheel fit, but if it still has dust shields on the front spindles, just remove them.

[Busamike]

Can't answer about wheel fit, but if it still has dust shields on the front spindles, just remove them.

Thanks Rich, Good to know. I see you have a 3.55 gear. I was thinking of 3.73's. How does yours do? Since changing axles might as well go locker and gears. Im just getting into this so Ill be in here a lot probably. Thanks, Mike

[Todd Baumann]

Up front you can buy 5 lug replacements and just switch out the rotor to start no special model needed.
Same for the rear axles most shops know exactly what you need and can give you exactly what you need for the Mustang and not MK7 or Ranger, etc.

[rich grsc]

Thanks Rich, Good to know. I see you have a 3.55 gear. I was thinking of 3.73's. How does yours do? Since changing axles might as well go locker and gears. Im just getting into this so Ill be in here a lot probably. Thanks, Mike
These cars are so light a 3:73 is a poor choice. Even a bone stock 5.0 drives great with a 3:55. For anything 400 hp and under I think 3:55's are perfect. Got a big block with lots of torque, 3:27 or even 3:08.

[Busamike]

These cars are so light a 3:73 is a poor choice. Even a bone stock 5.0 drives great with a 3:55. For anything 400 hp and under I think 3:55's are perfect. Got a big block with lots of torque, 3:27 or even 3:08.

Thanks again, Ill go with the 3.55s The engine is stock for now. Gathering parts for a 351 to make a stroker.. in time. wife is still getting use to another car.. So for now the 3:55s should do great. Thanks, Mike

[AC Bill]

The 87 Mustang would have rear drum brakes, so you may need more than axles, if your planning on switching to 5 lug.

[Todd Baumann]

Bill is correct but I was taking it for granted that you already knew that.
Guess I should of just stated it to be a little more clearer.
Sorry
Todd

[steno]

Go to Late Model Restoration... LMR.com. They have the conversion kits that work out perfect for you! You’ll thank me later!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Long time Factory Five Racing vendor and forum supporter Richard Oben at North Racecars can set you up with 4 to 5 lug conversion as well as rear discs if you opt to make that change. He's also an expert on wheel fitment.

http://northracecars.com/choose.html

Jeff

[Busamike]

Thanks for the info guys. I have done the research so far. The LMR kit has all I would need, so they say. Not changing to rear discs yet, the kit has the axles rear drums and the rotors. Ill be replacing the gear to a 3:55 and see how this goes. Torque Thrust 2 rims in 17, I like those wheels. Any ideas on back spacing and such for front and back. Thanks again for all the help for a first timer. I have several Mustangs and hotrods. Old school shade tree mechanic. The cobra is the same but different. I cant wait to get into it. Thanks Mike

[steno]

Mike, as a general rule, if it goes on a Mustang it’ll fit your roadster.

[CraigS]

As you look at wheels and axles pay attention to wheel center hole diameter vs axle center diameter. Being hub centric is really nice. Is your FFR a MkI, II,III, or IV? That will decide on rear tire/wheel width. Late IIIs and IVs can use 315 in the rear. MkI and IIs need some work for them to fit. I will second talking to Oben. He can set you up and also be sure to supply axles which will work immediately as well as later when you want to go to discs.

[David Williamson]

I used 17 inch Bullit replica wheels on my Mkll all donor Fox body stuff. To clear the upper ball joint I used some small wheel spacers, I think they are about 1/4 or 5/16 inch and this helps clear the dust caps as well. I may have dented the dust caps a little too.
David W

[EbourqueIII]

I am using 17” bullet rims on fox spindles and Lincoln rotors up front, along with F5 Upper and lower arms. in the rear I swapped out the axles and I installed disc using Richards adapter plate. I am not using any wheel spacers at all. As for gear ratios I am using 3:73s and she runs great.

[Richard Oben]

Thanks for all the kind words, appreciate it very much.

I think the TT II wheels have an issue with the Lincoln hub diameter, or cover, but that is only a guess. They were made for the 94 up hubs, I think. A lot of aftermarket wheels will have this same issue. If they they fit a FOX converted to 5 lug, they will fit the FFR, within reason. On the front, a 17 by 8 with a 5 or 5.25 back space is fine. A 9 with a 6 is a push, and no gain in tire size usually. On the rear of a MK 1 or 2 a 9 with a 5.95 back space or 24 mm offset works. On a MK 3 or 4 a 10.5 with a 27mm or 6.75 back space fits. 15s are a different deal but the numbers are close. I think the TTII is more of a nostalgia wheel with older offsets, closer to 0. HTH, Richard.

[AC Bill]

Not changing to rear discs yet, the kit has the axles rear drums and the rotors. Ill be replacing the gear to a 3:55 and see how this goes.

Your going to change the rear end gearing, and switch out the rear 4 lug axles, to 5 lug axles, but still plan on keeping the drum brakes? :confused:

[Busamike]

Hey thanks for all the input guys. I've had the car since Saturday and got to play with it about an hr. Out of town working and generally not even that, Been on the computer reading and doing research. You guys have given me great stuff. And yes it would be a nimrod move not to rear disc it with all the rear apart. Duh. Was trying to be a good boy and keep the wife sane and not freaking out about me tearing into another car and throwing time and lots of money at it. But, I must and therefore I shall. Thanks to all, This is awesome stuff I don't know yet. I'm a old school muscle car and motorcycles guy. I Can work on them. Never fooled with the fox's and def not a cobra. I will learn tho and thanks again to all. Good good stuff here. Mike

[stack]

If the front has FOX mustang 87-93 spindles there is a off the shelf disk that is the exact same but in 5 lug. forget the car it came off but should be and easy look up. 85 crown vic maybe?

For the rear if an 87-93 mustang rear end was used you can order new axles for a few hundred or go to the salvage yard. you need 2 left side for ranger axles or 2 right side ford aerostar axles. Or some combination like that. or get a 94-95 mustang GT rear axle comes with disc brakes and 5 lug

stack

[Busamike]

would the 94-95 GT complete rear end fit the cobra? I have no idea yet if its a strait swap on the complete rear-end housing and all or if there's welding to be done? and there's always welding to be done, heh heh heh

[Jeff Kleiner]

would the 94-95 GT complete rear end fit the cobra? I have no idea yet if its a strait swap on the complete rear-end housing and all or if there's welding to be done? and there's always welding to be done, heh heh heh

A '94-'98 Mustang GT 8.8 rear end already has disc brakes and is a bolt in HOWEVER is wider than the Fox rear that you currently have. Housings are the same and the extra width is in the axle shafts themselves. It can be converted to the Fox width by using different axle shafts and caliper relocation brackets which are available from Richard Oben at North Racecars as I mentioned in post #10. This is often simpler than converting a drum 4 lug rear to 5 lug disc and is the route I've gone on several builds.

Jeff

[Busamike]

I really appreciate all the answers guys. As I said I am learning this car. I will be home for good this coming weekend and will have time to get under her and start looking really hard at all. I thank you one and all for helping a newbie and not making me feel stupid. I can turn a wrench and do know cars, just not this one as yet. I have a 68 c10 short bed that I have gone completely thru with a 383 stoker and 177 Wiend sc. 600+ hp with a tko600, and a 65 fastback with a 347 stroker 400+ hp with a top loader 4 spd in it and a Hayabusa that is my daily driver. These old cars I get. Never fooled with a fox or its components, so thank you all once more. Mike

[SDhemmings]

As Jeff said, North Race Cars is a good place to check out. I have a 408w with 500hp/500tq with an 87 GT solid axle and I got North Race Cars 5 lug swap kit and it fit perfectly, and i also got the big brake upgrade kit for the front. It stops on a dime, not to mention the discs just look great too. Oh and i also have 3.55 gears with a TKO600 .64 overdrive and it cruises nice on the freeway but goes like a freight train when i hit it.

[Walt]

I used the LMR conversion kit when I built my car, I did keep the rear drum, I have also changed to power brakes. My donor was a 93.

[Busamike]

Awesome guys, Thanks so much for the responses. All very good info for me. This weekend I get to actually drive some, I will be doing all my work to her over the winter. Thanks again. Mike