Alright so im in the middle of gathering everything i need to dive into a complete 5 lug conversion, While also upgrading to cobra brakes and a 31 spline 8.8 rear.
I hit a snag today when the rims i picked up turned out to be 5x4.25 (5X108), Instead of the standard Mustang 5x4.5 (5x114.3).
So i guess what I'm needing to know is:
What 31 Spline 8.8 Axles can i get from factory vehicle, In the 5x4.25 LPattern, That would work with an '88 TC Rear Housing?
Would i be able to find some Hubs in the 5x4.25 LPattern, That would bolt up to SN95 Spindles?
Would there be any harm in grinding inward on some 5x4.5 13" rotors (Or 5x4.5 rotors in general)? Its literaly like 3CM Max inward on each hole to fit over.
6" bolt spacing?
and nothing came stock with 31-spline axles that are the same length as mustang axle shafts.
*smack forehead*
Fixed.
... .
I keep hearing conflicting things on that.
I've even heard from someone that 94-95 GT's came factory with 31 spline 8.8 shafts. :confused:
no, they didnt.
Well that messes me up BIG time.
I may just rebuild with the 28 spline 3.73's that came with the carrier, As aftermarket shafts aren't in the budget.
I assume this would make finding proper length 5X108 8.8 shafts a hell of alot easier as well?
have you not read the article on cool cats?
I would need a different lug pattern than what has been posted.
I dunno.
I'm kind of stuck at this point, What would you guys do?
I'm just trying to get 4.25 rims to fit in place of whats normally done with 4.5 lug pattern stuff, As cheap as possible. (Budget!)
And without any major machining.
And won't Ranger axles work fine in a TC 8.8? Maybe even Explorer?
Those do come stock (certain models) with 31 spline.
As for lug pattern, At this rate im thinking 4.25 > 4.5 adapters/spacers to make things easy~Just worried how 1" spacing would affect things front and rear.
It's not a problem to enlarge the holes on a rotor as long as the hub is correct size.
However, you'd be better off to sell the wheels you bought and get some proper ones. Your whole idea of "budget" is moot if you're talking about having to try and adapt everything esle to the wrong bolt pattern.
True, I just really like these wheels~Went in expecting them to be 5x4.5, But turned out to be 5x4.25.
It's such a small difference in patterns, I figured there has to be some way to get them to work.
Was hopeful JY parts would do the trick, But not so sure now.
I was thinking something like~
Getting a pair of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360203735423&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT
On the rear, It would bring the track out 1" which depending on axle width, Could be a good or bad thing.
And then, 5x4.25 Hubs to fit on SN95 Spindles for the front~There's plenty of various applications using 5x4.25 Hubs, And i'm hopeful something will work/fit here.
Nothing is put together, I'm still gathering EVERYTHING before i dig into the entire rear end/5 lug/brake swap, So all options are still available.
But as for rear axle shafts (Keeping the 5x4.5 Pattern):
I'm almost positive I read on here, or somewhere~That 31 spline Ranger or Explorer (Maybe Even Aerostar), Axle Shafts would fit no problem into a TC 8.8 Housing, Just one side is longer/shorter than the other, So i would need 1 pair between 2 donor vehicles.
And had that suck in my head, So i held off on buying axles 'till i had other parts.
So i have been planning the rear around the 8.8 31 Spline Locking Carrier i got from an explorer...
some explorers and rangers had 31-spline rears, but those axle shafts aren't the correct length to work. it makes no sense in modifying good parts to work with the wrong parts. sell the wheels and get the correct ones that fit. for more five lug info, look at cool cats or do a google search.
Found some info, Was looking in the wrong places.
92> Front MN12 Hubs will bolt up to SN95 Spindles (And the other way around)
And allow any SN95 front mustang brakes~Just need to enlarge or stretch the holes about 1-3cm inward per hole, Center hole is larger than MN12 hub hole (Will Fit Over).
Same size Bearing, Replace nut and torque to 250ft lb.
I can do this for the front, Switch to 28 spline 8.8 3.73's in the back (Have)>Use already noted to work axles from donor vehicle/s>then buy the adapter/spacers.
Roughly $100 and Personal Labor, Most money being the spacers/adapters.
Or i could just say screw it, Sell the unique rims and get proper ones (Most likely super common mustang wheels) like you guys keep telling me. :-P
Explorer 31 spline shafts are a bigger diameter as well. Are you sure they're 4.25? which is also an older GM pattern. measured like this?
Yessir,
According to the Lug Pattern Refference sites, They are. (Fit Perfect on the 1999 Ford Windstar they were pulled from.)
But i'll go measure them myself and get back to ya!
Here ya go:
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/Aesthetikz/Thunderbird/th_100_5677.jpg) (http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/Aesthetikz/Thunderbird/?action=view¤t=100_5677.jpg)
Anyway,
I've been looking into 31 spline stuff for hours now and my head hurts.
F150 (31-1/16 Right Side) and Explorer (30-1/2, Left Side) axles be the closest you could get, But Both would be too long, And possibly too thick.
...That's what she said!
OK, yep, as others have said, I would suggest advertising the wheels and get 4x4.5" wheels. It would make working with the axles much easier. You could probably have Moser make you 31 spline axles for your application. The cost to drive around and find something close, only to have machined down anyway, is likely going to come close to what it would cost to have a pair made, IMO.
Yea, I'm seeing that now.
Oh well... Thanks guys.