Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Drivetrain Tech => Topic started by: im gay as hell on May 26, 2005, 09:02:54 PM

Title: in the process
Post by: im gay as hell on May 26, 2005, 09:02:54 PM
i converted therear end to 5 lugs already now im trying to convert the front but i need to buy the rotors for the front. im trying to buy them the same sice that way i can use that same caliper and system . one of my friend has a rotor 5 lugs from a 87 to 93 mustang but it doesnt have the lugs its just the rotor and caliper.
what is the lugs sold sepreately and what size are the front rotors for a  87 5.0 t bird.  are the lugs welded to the rotor or i buy them sepreatly
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: Thunder Chicken on May 26, 2005, 09:36:34 PM
You can buy the lugs separate, but make sure that Mustang rotor has an integrated hub or you'll be SOL. You will need to convert your front brakes to 11" to use commonly available parts (including Mark VII rotors). This involves new spindles, calipers and front brake hoses. The Mustang rotor (or a Lincoln rotor) will not fit your 10" spindle.
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: im gay as hell on May 26, 2005, 10:01:20 PM
can you explain what is a spindle and the pur pose
the rotoers are of an 95 or 96 mustang  what are my chances  is there any way for me just to change the rotor and thats it instead of doing all that other shiznit'
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: Thunder Chicken on May 26, 2005, 10:19:13 PM
The spindle is the thing that holds your caliper and rotor, and is connected to the strut, ball joint and tie rod end. It is basically the thing that ties your front suspension together.

The 94-95 Mustang rotor will not fit your car unless you get spindles, calipers, and hubs for a 94-95 Mustang. All pre-95 Fox cars (including ours) have a rotor with integrated hub (the wheel bearings go inside it), while 94+ Mustangs use a separate hub and rotor.

Your best bet is to get spindles, hoses and calipers from a 1987-93 5.0 Mustang and use a pair of 84-92 Lincoln Mark VII rotors.

And, not to be an ass, but this is yet another topic that's been covered many times including a full tech article on Coolcats:

http://www.coolcats.net/tech/advanced/4to5lug.html
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: 88cat on May 26, 2005, 11:12:46 PM
I have a set of 93 mustang spindles for sale if intrested lmk.
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: mjbtbrd on May 27, 2005, 11:51:45 AM
there was someplace on cougarnuts that had 5 lug 10" rotors.  I forget who it was maybe someone else knows.
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: Chuck W on May 27, 2005, 12:14:18 PM
Quote from: mjbtbrd
there was someplace on cougarnuts that had 5 lug 10" rotors.  I forget who it was maybe someone else knows.


Yeah, it's called a Ford Ranger....Gen 1 & 2 IIRC (maybe even Gen 3)
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: EricCoolCats on May 27, 2005, 12:23:07 PM
http://www.completebrakeservice.com/
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: Snatchrick on May 27, 2005, 09:46:52 PM
I have spindles, calipers, brake lines, ect for sale. Everything you need except the rotors. Let me know.....
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: im gay as hell on May 27, 2005, 10:34:00 PM
how about will 10'' slotted rotors from a 79 to 86 mustang  or 87 to 94 cyl mustang fit a t bird
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: Tbird232ci on May 27, 2005, 11:07:02 PM
10" rotors will fit, but the problem is, theyre all 4-lug
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: im gay as hell on May 27, 2005, 11:37:59 PM
not the one im about to install  its off a mustang i just really want 5 lugs but with out changing the whole system
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: Thunder Chicken on May 27, 2005, 11:51:15 PM
If the one you're about to install is from a 79-93 Mustang it will fit, but it will be four lug. You cannot simply add a lug. There are no Mustang-specific, 10" rotors with five lugs. If a Ranger rotor is 10" and five lug, and if it has the same offset and wheel bearing size as a Mustang/T-Bird 10" rotor then and only then will it fit with your stock spindle, caliper and such. You cannot install an 11" rotor without changing the stuff mentioned earlier. It will not fit. And you cannot install any 94-04 Mustang brakes without using the complete system from that particular style (for instance, if you want to use 94-95 style you must use 94-95 style rotors, calipers, spindles, hubs, bearings, and possibly the control arms but I'm not sure at all on that part).
 
The only Mustangs with five lug rotors were the 84-87 SVO (11" I believe) and the 94+. All other 74-93 Mustangs had four lugs, and those slotted rotors you're looking at would have four lugs as well because they're designed as a stock replacement for Mustang rotors.
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: EricCoolCats on May 28, 2005, 11:04:42 AM
Quote from: Thunder Chicken
If the one you're about to install is from a 79-93 Mustang it will fit, but it will be four lug. You cannot simply add a lug. There are no Mustang-specific, 10" rotors with five lugs.


Ahem...once again...

http://www.completebrakeservice.com/

10", 5-lug, bolt-on front rotors. Roughly $130 US shipped to your doorsetp.
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: Thunder Chicken on May 28, 2005, 11:40:20 AM
When I say "Mustang specific" I mean "stock on a Mustang". Those slotted, drilled rotors that I think he was asking about (you see 'em all over eBay) are four-lug

I can't find any part listing on that page, Eric - when you click on "Products" it simply shows you that they sell certain parts (rotors, pads, etc) but not specific parts. Are these 10" five-lug rotors made just for the Mustang, or are they something that could be cross-referenced and probably bought cheaper (as a "stock" part for a certain vehicle rather than an "upgrade" part for a Mustang)? $130 for a pair of 10" rotors seems awfully high...
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: EricCoolCats on May 28, 2005, 12:05:24 PM
These are Mustang-specific. Several people I've spoken with have ordered them...they said quality is very good. The owner of this shop found me out of the blue to tell me they had 10", 5-lug, Mustang-spec rotors in stock. I don't think he's ever had them listed on his site, but if you call or e-mail they will provide the info for you.

From my 4-to-5 Lug Conversion page:

Quote
Stock Rotors (10")

Recently I was contacted by Brian Portez of Complete Brake Service in Columbus, OH. Brian says that his company has 10" 5-lug rotors for the Fox Cougar/Thunderbird (and Mustang) in stock for about $120 US per pair. This is about the only place that has come forward about these rotors and the only place I've ever heard that carries them. They'll even ship the rotors anywhere. The price ($60/each) is very competitive. You can visit their website here or you can call 1-800-581-2339 (locally 614-221-4888), and ask for Brian.

Jason from FL writes: "Just installed the 5-lug 10 inch rotors. Fit was perfect, quality seemed excellent. Price was good at $129.00 U.S. plus shipping. I got rotors, new inner and outer bearings, seals and dustcaps. Shipped to my door in 3 business days. Thumbs up from me!"


Yeah, it's a little high in price but honestly, where else can you get them?
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: mjbtbrd on May 28, 2005, 01:34:21 PM
Thanks Eric....I knew I saw that place somewhere.  I thought they had a post on cougarnuts.  It musta been on your site though.
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: Tbird232ci on May 28, 2005, 10:48:54 PM
i <3 ies
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: Thunder Chicken on May 28, 2005, 10:51:21 PM
I have less than three ies too...
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: Tbird232ci on May 29, 2005, 01:42:06 AM
well...ill spell it out

i heart ies
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: joefriday on June 13, 2005, 04:38:59 AM
Eric, I belive I read in Hot Rod Magazine once that Aerostar front rotors MAY be a direct bolt-on.  That would still be the 10" rotor, but have the 5 lugs.  Perhaps it is this beast that is being touted as a "custom" brake part, the lowly aerostar rotor?
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: Haystack on June 13, 2005, 09:08:22 AM
I dont think it is the same bolt pattern as mustangs, which is what most of us want. http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Ford_2___Vehicle_Bolt_Pattern_Reference.cfm
http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Ford_2___Vehicle_Bolt_Pattern_Reference.cfm
http://www.roddingroundtable.com/tech/articles/boltpat.html
they may work. I have heard of mustang guys useing ranger and bronco II rotors with lots of mods. They are both listed under the same catagorey.
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: EricCoolCats on June 13, 2005, 09:53:03 AM
The Ranger and Aerostar have deeper spindles, requiring a very different set of bearings. This much I know for sure. I've seen the Ranger/Aerostar rotors listed as 10.25". I've not seen them as plain 10" rotors.
Title: Re: in the process
Post by: Tbird232ci on June 13, 2005, 10:37:50 AM
ive been told by stang boys that the ranger rotors work, but whenever i say "could someone send me pics" or "id like some physical proof", they just told me to go to some website, so i can confirm how true it is

even though they are 10.25, you think that there needs to be about 1/8" clearance between the rotor and caliper bracket for them to clear