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.]
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!
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", or
86-97 Aerostar Mini-van (2 pass. sides) @ ~29 5/8" also
:confused:
PS--attached pix under-hood & from rear
PPS--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"
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
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.
-Thanks
DZ
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 SIZE
9" Drum Brakes
Most 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 Brakes
The 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
post up in the user rides section. I want to see more
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
I guess you didn't bother to look at the chart I linked to?
Methinks you will be SOL with what you bought.
that's what i was thinking, too.
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
Well, 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
no, 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.
Ok 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"...
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:
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.
If you already had the original axle shafts re-drilled to a 5 lug pattern, why not buy a replacement shaft and have it re-drilled?
I guess I'd find another rear end altogether that accepts the 5 lug shafts you already bought...IE: an older 7.5 or Mustang GT 8.8.
and FWIW, I will be testing the waters with an XR7 8.8 rear w/10" drums, and more modern Ranger axles. I antite machine work, but I work in a machine shop. My bro. manages a parts store, so parts can be tried and returned, etc...
OK, a little more screwed up history for this recent "simple replacement"...
Adv Auto parts guy ordered stock replacement axle for 87 T-Bird--it showed on/in their "system" as having 5-lugs (but no length indicated),,,mechanic guy went to install & it was 1" too long & hub was too large for drum...mech returned axles to store , put old axles back in car to get out of shop, & called me...mech then called store to get length of axle he had just sent back (don't know why side-by-side measurements did not properly happen @ shop)...somewhere between mech & parts man the answer came out as 30" for the "new ones" & therefore mech deduced those being 1" too long--I'd need a 29-inchers. Thats how & when & I got involved looking for my 29 inchers w/ 5-lugs.
My plan now IS to just get a stock replacement axle & have it redrilled for 5-lug--but I can't order it from Adv Auto because their system is screwed-up & is what they sent in 1st place (see 1st sentence above) that did not fit...
I've already taken the 29.125" axles (Bronco II) back to Adv Auto for them to return to Motive Gear/ whatever.
Early tomorrow morning, I'll take one of my axles up to them--with visible part # & give them one more chance. My car was left on hoist w/ axles removed over weekend & will need to be temporarily reassembled AGAIN to move outside so mech can do other scheduled work...
If only I had taken the measurements myself,
If only Adv Auto "system info" was correct,
If only coolcats site info was correct (for Ranger, Aerostar axles...),
If only my axle bearing and seal had not failed.....
I realize I'm now on my own to move forward as best I can--I certainly thank all those that tried to HELP me.
At the end of my story, I'll write an epilog...
P.S. I can't say enough good about Brian Portez's 5-lug conversion kit for the front (stock size/ 10" rotors)...I converted my front with his "complete kit" (even includes new grease caps!) several years ago & it was a slam-dunk...
Monte
Why didn't you complete the quote referenced on the site (your I presume) where you also indicated certain axles from Rangers & Aerostars would fit?
I include quote from your site:
Axle Shafts
Now 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")
1983-92 Ford Ranger pickup axle shafts (2 driver's side, ~29 5/8")
1986-97 Ford Aerostar minivan (2 passenger side, ~29 5/8").
All stock Ford passenger car rear ends of our era had 28-spline axle shafts. If you need to see more specific information concerning rear end widths, axle shafts, and
I initially assumed the 94-98 Mustang-width axle shafts (being for disk brakes?) would not directly bolt-up with a/ my stock 9" rear drums/brakes. Could you please tell me if anything additional is needed to make these stang axles fit to stock 9" drums or not??
Still seeking answers/ help,,, Monte
if you know what you need maybe moser can make them up for you
I did know what I needed & Moser custom-made them for me. Rec'd them in just 5 days. They're now installed & car is back in it's proper car-shed--resting up for a good run...