4 lug to 5 lug conversion

[CoolCarl]

I was reading a thread on another site about wheel choices and the guy that wanted new wheels had 4 lug. He couldn't get the kind of wheel he wanted cause it was only offered in 5 lug.

This got me thinking that I might want new wheels someday (either halibrands or just something different). I have a mkII with suspension from a 1990 Mustang LX. It has 4 lug, front disc, rear drum brakes, 8.8 live axle. NOTE: I didn't build my roadster and have had it for about 3-4 months now.

What exactly would I need to replace in order to go from a 4 lug to 5 lug set up. What would it cost me approximately? Any specialty tools required?

[PaulW]

Check out North Race Cars. Richard offers everything from a pair of 5-lug rear axles to a complete rear 5 lug conversion with disc brakes. As well if you are running 87-93 front spindles he has 5-lug rotor assemblies that will fit. Last time I checked the cost for all of it was under a $1000 including shipping.

[Jeff Kleiner]

In the rear you will need to replace axles and drums. The junkyard approach is to use two left side axles from a Ranger or two right side axles from an Aerostar. You would then need a pair of drums. For the front use rotors from a late '80s to early '90s Lincoln Mk VII (you'll keep the same brakes and wheel bearings). I would not recommend junkyard rotors or drums. Vendors such as Forte's and Northracecars can provide "one stop shopping" and set you up with everything you need using all new parts. Give them a call for pricing. As for tools, nothing out of the ordinary. You will need to be comfortable partially disassembling the rear differential to change out the axles.

Good luck,
Jeff

[cmsu]

What exactly would I need to replace in order to go from a 4 lug to 5 lug set up. What would it cost me approximately? Any specialty tools required?

Late model Restoration has a 5 lug 28 spline conversion kit for $384.99. It comes with the following:

- 2 Premium Centric brand five lug 11" front rotors
- 2 Name brand 28 spline five lug rear axles* and drums
- 2 inner and outer front wheel bearings
- 10 standard length rear wheel studs
- 2 front rotor grease seals
- 1 bottle of Ford Racing friction modifier
- 2 bottles of Royal Purple 75W90 gear oil

These name brand Mustang axles are stock length 28 spline, with a 5" x 4.5" bolt pattern. They are made from high quality steel & hardened to increase torque capacity 25% over a stock axle!

1979-86 Mustangs and 1987-93 2.3L Mustangs need to use 1987-93 5.0L spindles, struts, and calipers for this kit to work.

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/LRS-4234K/1987-1993-Mustang-5-Lug-Conversion-Kit

[CapeCoralCobra]

I did this conversion last year while building my Mk3. At least a half dozen major online Mustang parts suppliers have them, but the deal cmsu showed above from LMR is quite good (if you're OK with rear drums) and looks like it includes everything you need except sealant for the diff. cover.

[CoolCarl]

thanks for the tips everyone. It doesn't sound as daunting as I thought it would.

[South Dakobra]

Here's page describing the conversion: http://popsracing.com/tech/5lugconversionfox.pdf
I got my conversion kit from Mike at http://www.fortesparts.com/
I've also had good experience with Richard at http://northracecars.com/

Compare apples to apples and move forward. I'm thinking all the parts I used were Ford Motor parts. This is fairly common, so you may find a shop locally that has done it before, if you don't want to do it yourself.

As you mentioned, I converted mine because it opened up a larger market of wheel choices.

[DMW]

I did it very early in my build with little mechanical skill. Very easy. Buy the Cilton's manual for the year of your donor. It shows you the procedure for removing the axles plus it is $20 well spent as it covers everything on the car.

[CraigS]

You are on the right path. You can do the front buying locally to save shipping. Ok I forget the specific Lincoln rotor, but Pepboys has it and get Mustang seals and bearings and all new for < $150. For the rear I would definately buy new axles. I say that cause i went the cheap used Ranger route and wish i hadn't. The right axles are stronger but even more importantly, they have the right center so, when you mount wheels, they center on the axle protrusion. This way you don't have to carefully tighten the lugs a little at a time to center the wheel on the lugs.If you can handle the $s, doing a disc upgrade at the same time means you only need to remove axles once. I did this in steps cause my own labor is free.