5 lug , rear disc converson (87-93)

John Cummins · 02-04-2001, 08:36 PM

what would be the cheapest and easiest way to convert from 4 lug to 5 lug . and switch from drums to disc. Is a old lincoln an idea or maybe a sn95 body. any suggestions

Unit 5302 · 02-05-2001, 01:24 AM

Well, to switch to 5 lug is very simple, and very cheap. The added cost comes in when going to rear discs.

I've done the 5 lug swap to my car, but I kept the rear drums. I used 2 drivers side '88 Ranger axles and '85 Mark VII (ABS) rotors. It doesn't matter if the rotors are of the ABS type or not, unless you want to use the calipers.

Anyway, you could do the swap cheapest with parts from an '87-'88 Thunderbird T/C with rear discs. I'm not sure what all is needed in that swap though. I'm pretty sure you need the whole rear end. The master cylinder needs to be changed and the brake lines need a little revamping if I'm correct. Also worth noting is the Thunderbird's rear end is about 1.5" wider than the Fox stang.

Skankin · 02-05-2001, 01:43 PM

Ya, the 94+ stang is the way to go... it only adds 0.75" to each side, so you don't need crazy offsets. (the usual 17x8", 5.72" BS will do). You can get the parts from a v6 car too.

The other axles are 1.25" longer I believe, so then you have to use different offsets for the rear.

For the front, you can use the old Lincoln rotors for some types of wheels... but the bearing cap sticks out too much for some centre caps (eg. 98/99 cobra 17x8"). In this case, you gotta go to the 94/95 spindle, sealed bearing, rotor & caliper.

The 96/97 spindle puts the wheel out 1/4", requiring some massaging, and the tie rod arm is curved, so you'd need a bump steer kit. Otherwise, the geometry is supposed to be more improved.

DemonGT · 02-05-2001, 09:47 PM

so what exactly do i need to get to convert to 5 lug...im keeping the rear drums

------------------
1991 GT,T-5,air silencer removed,racing clutch(previous owner put in so dont know what kind),K&N air filter,Aiwa deck,power acoustic amp,2 12" pianeers,UPDATE: Just got my Mac long tube headers

By the time summer comes ill have full Mac exhaust,new shifter knob and what ever else i can afford

Unit 5302 · 02-05-2001, 10:57 PM

You'll need 2 drivers side axles out of any Ford Ranger from '84-'88 for sure (don't know about other years). The drums from the Ranger for the rear brakes. Some silicon sealer for the rear end cover, rear end oil 80w90 with differential friction modifier (any well known brand), front rotors off a Lincoln Mark VII I know the '85 with ABS has the same bearings as the '87GT (the ABS doesn't matter unless you swap the calipers too), and some 5 lug wheels of course.

When you change the axles, keep one axle in at all times, that way you can be extra careful about not having the spider gears slide out of alignment. You won't even need to touch the brakes in the back.

DemonGT · 02-06-2001, 01:09 AM

how much did that all run you Unit5302?

------------------
1991 GT,T-5,air silencer removed,racing clutch(previous owner put in so dont know what kind),K&N air filter,Aiwa deck,power acoustic amp,2 12" pianeers,UPDATE: Just got my Mac long tube headers

By the time summer comes ill have full Mac exhaust,new shifter knob and what ever else i can afford

02-04-2001, 08:36 PM	#1
John Cummins Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 231	5 lug , rear disc converson (87-93) what would be the cheapest and easiest way to convert from 4 lug to 5 lug . and switch from drums to disc. Is a old lincoln an idea or maybe a sn95 body. any suggestions

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02-05-2001, 01:24 AM	#2
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	Well, to switch to 5 lug is very simple, and very cheap. The added cost comes in when going to rear discs. I've done the 5 lug swap to my car, but I kept the rear drums. I used 2 drivers side '88 Ranger axles and '85 Mark VII (ABS) rotors. It doesn't matter if the rotors are of the ABS type or not, unless you want to use the calipers. Anyway, you could do the swap cheapest with parts from an '87-'88 Thunderbird T/C with rear discs. I'm not sure what all is needed in that swap though. I'm pretty sure you need the whole rear end. The master cylinder needs to be changed and the brake lines need a little revamping if I'm correct. Also worth noting is the Thunderbird's rear end is about 1.5" wider than the Fox stang.

02-05-2001, 01:43 PM	#3
Skankin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,349	Ya, the 94+ stang is the way to go... it only adds 0.75" to each side, so you don't need crazy offsets. (the usual 17x8", 5.72" BS will do). You can get the parts from a v6 car too. The other axles are 1.25" longer I believe, so then you have to use different offsets for the rear. For the front, you can use the old Lincoln rotors for some types of wheels... but the bearing cap sticks out too much for some centre caps (eg. 98/99 cobra 17x8"). In this case, you gotta go to the 94/95 spindle, sealed bearing, rotor & caliper. The 96/97 spindle puts the wheel out 1/4", requiring some massaging, and the tie rod arm is curved, so you'd need a bump steer kit. Otherwise, the geometry is supposed to be more improved.

02-05-2001, 09:47 PM	#4
DemonGT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 879	so what exactly do i need to get to convert to 5 lug...im keeping the rear drums ------------------ 1991 GT,T-5,air silencer removed,racing clutch(previous owner put in so dont know what kind),K&N air filter,Aiwa deck,power acoustic amp,2 12" pianeers,UPDATE: Just got my Mac long tube headers By the time summer comes ill have full Mac exhaust,new shifter knob and what ever else i can afford

02-05-2001, 10:57 PM	#5
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	You'll need 2 drivers side axles out of any Ford Ranger from '84-'88 for sure (don't know about other years). The drums from the Ranger for the rear brakes. Some silicon sealer for the rear end cover, rear end oil 80w90 with differential friction modifier (any well known brand), front rotors off a Lincoln Mark VII I know the '85 with ABS has the same bearings as the '87GT (the ABS doesn't matter unless you swap the calipers too), and some 5 lug wheels of course. When you change the axles, keep one axle in at all times, that way you can be extra careful about not having the spider gears slide out of alignment. You won't even need to touch the brakes in the back.

02-06-2001, 01:09 AM	#6
DemonGT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 879	how much did that all run you Unit5302? ------------------ 1991 GT,T-5,air silencer removed,racing clutch(previous owner put in so dont know what kind),K&N air filter,Aiwa deck,power acoustic amp,2 12" pianeers,UPDATE: Just got my Mac long tube headers By the time summer comes ill have full Mac exhaust,new shifter knob and what ever else i can afford