Five lug conversion

Topic: Five lug conversion (Read 2498 times) previous topic - next topic

Five lug conversion

April 10, 2014, 10:48:04 PM

Im wanting to convert my 1988 turbo coupe to five lug.I have a 2004 gt that I just bought wheels and brakes for so I have the calipers brackets and rotors.im wanting to put the oe bullits on it.I also have some 99-04 spindles.So do I just need 94-98 axles to complete the swap.Thanks for the help I know this has already been discussed but im a little confused on whats needed.

Five lug conversion

Reply #1 – April 10, 2014, 11:22:29 PM

Yes. '94-'98 Axles. The rear brakes might need some modding, might not, I'll defer on that to those who've done that.

The fronts are where I'm more well versed. The '94-95 spindles are ideal, but the 96+ spindles will work. Especially if you've lowered your Bird, or plan to. I did my '87 notch with '95 spindles, stock '95 rotors, and finished them off with '99+ PBR calipers. To go that route (which I highly recommend, BTW) you'll need to take an angle grinder to the spindle in one spot to clear the calipers, but it's a minor issue. When you mock it up, you'll see the area that wants to be ground down.

Don't forget that you'll need an alignment afterwards, and if you use your fox ball joints, you'll need to put a couple-three washers on top of the spindle, around the threads on the balljoint, before you put the nut on and torque it down, or use the SN95 ball joints, as the fox units are a bit longer. Either way is fine, but if you need to replace them, might as go with SN95 and have it look "cleaner".

Brake lines. Order them for whatever caliper you end up going with. The stock ones won't work. You will also need a Weatherhead 7828 fitting for the brake line-to-caliper hose, as they're different sizes.

If you have any other questions for the front, shoot me a holler.

Not to sidetrack ya, but there's also the option of Mark 7 rotors and SVO rotors, but these limit you to stock wheels due to the hub diameter, and there's really no upgrades for the brakes like there is the SN95 style. With the newer stuff, it's possible to run a 13" rotor, but those will take an 18" wheel at the least. Pretty serious stuff, that, so unless you see some track time I'd not go that far.

Five lug conversion

Reply #2 – April 11, 2014, 12:06:46 AM

It has been lowered does it matter what year for the ball joints just get them for a 94-98.

Five lug conversion

Reply #3 – April 11, 2014, 01:18:04 AM

On the ball joints, they're all pretty much the same, 94 through '04. I would recommend the greasable kind though. I'm a stickler for little stuff like that. I grease everything every oil change, and check all fluids, unless I know they were topped off recently, such as washer fluid.

If it's been lowered a couple inches, you may look into '96+ spindles, as they move the outer tie rod end attachment location...it may help with bump steer issues. There's also offset rack bushings to help with that too. You might send Aerocoupe a PM for more precise info, he's done this to a couple of his cars and had good luck.

The drawback to the '96 and up spindle is that they move the wheel further outward and forward a bit than the '94-95 spindles, so if you've got a big tire on the front, this might be an issue if you are really lowered. On my notch, I have a 245/45 in the front, and 275/40 in the rear on a set of '04 Bullitt wheels. I can't go any wider in the front unless I run some custom offset wheels, and I'm not going to change that up right now. There's hardly 1/2" gap between the tire and the strut, and with the 4 cylinder springs and new struts, I still don't have the camber set right. I'm thinking I may need to pick up a set of the '96 spindles and see how that works out for me....

The rear of mine is pretty snug too. When these wheels/tires were on my Sport, there was still a lot of room, but on a Fox stang, not so much. My buddy has 315/40's on his procharged '95...talk about a hell of a sharp look.

Five lug conversion

Reply #4 – April 11, 2014, 01:24:31 AM

Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;432113

Yes. '94-'98 Axles. The rear brakes might need some modding, might not, I'll defer on that to those who've done that.

The fronts are where I'm more well versed. The '94-95 spindles are ideal, but the 96+ spindles will work. Especially if you've lowered your Bird, or plan to. I did my '87 notch with '95 spindles, stock '95 rotors, and finished them off with '99+ PBR calipers. To go that route (which I highly recommend, BTW) you'll need to take an angle grinder to the spindle in one spot to clear the calipers, but it's a minor issue. When you mock it up, you'll see the area that wants to be ground down.

Don't forget that you'll need an alignment afterwards, and if you use your fox ball joints, you'll need to put a couple-three washers on top of the spindle, around the threads on the balljoint, before you put the nut on and torque it down, or use the SN95 ball joints, as the fox units are a bit longer. Either way is fine, but if you need to replace them, might as go with SN95 and have it look "cleaner".

Brake lines. Order them for whatever caliper you end up going with. The stock ones won't work. You will also need a Weatherhead 7828 fitting for the brake line-to-caliper hose, as they're different sizes.

If you have any other questions for the front, shoot me a holler.

Not to sidetrack ya, but there's also the option of Mark 7 rotors and SVO rotors, but these limit you to stock wheels due to the hub diameter, and there's really no upgrades for the brakes like there is the SN95 style. With the newer stuff, it's possible to run a 13" rotor, but those will take an 17" wheel at the least. Pretty serious stuff, that, so unless you see some track time I'd not go that far.

Fixed the wheel size for ya :D

Five lug conversion

Reply #5 – April 11, 2014, 10:42:14 PM

Thank ya! :D

Five lug conversion

Reply #6 – April 14, 2014, 01:58:51 PM

Here is the difference between the 94-95 spindles and the 96+ (pay attention to the reference to CC plates):

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/tech_front_susp_7993to9604_spindle.aspx

Not sure but I do not think the actual position of the spindle shaft moved forward or to the back between any of the 79-04 Mustang spindles. There is a slight track width increase which is pointed out in the above article. Typically what I have used is the 94-95 spindles (no difference between the V6 and V8 cars) on stock K-member cars and use the 96+ on tubular K-member cars but you need to contact the K-member manufacturer and ask which spindle they designed theirs to be used with.

The 8.8 housing you have is identical to the 8.8 Mustang housing which remained unchanged until 1999 at which point it got wider. You want a set of rear axles and the brakes from and 94-98 SN95 Mustang and it does not matter if it is a V6 or V8 as they have the same axles and brakes. Modifying the Turbo Coupe rear brakes would be a huge headache so save yourself some headache and do not venture down that road. Pull all that stuff off and sell it to someone wanting 4 lug rear discs. All of this is an excellent reason to clean out the rear end housing, replace the axle bearings & seals, and rebuild the trac-lok while you are in there if it needs it.

Do like ThunderbirdSport302 suggested and get the 99+ dual piston PBR calipers for the front....huge improvement over the single piston 94-98 design. Only other thing is quality brake pads of which I prefer the Hawk brand but people bitch because they dust. I am running the Hawk HPS pads and for me I only notice the light dust when I wash the wheels.

You will need to source a 1993 Mustang Cobra brake booster and master cylinder for the swap or your pedal will be shiznit. Remember that you will also need a 3-2 conversion kit that Maximum sells or you can make one yourself. I get the MM kit as my time is worth more to me than the effort to make one.

Those are the highlights, do a search as its been covered on here several times.

Darren