I'm building up a 32 Ford for a customer and we've fitted a late 4-lug Mustang rear axle but need a 5 lug Ford pattern to match the front end. Does anyone market a kit to convert it? I'm thinking along the lines of new hubs or something, cos I don't want to use adapters which would only make a wide axle even wider. BTW. We've found out that using the Mustang rear axle and a SBC/TH350 combo up front, that a Corvette C4 driveshaft just drops in there, no shortening required! And it's a nice light weight aluminium one too!!! I looks like it's too short but there's plenty of overlap on the spline. Just thought I'd p*** on that gem! Cheers Ed
someone told me the short side axle from 1980's rangers fit perfect in the mustang housing, that said the backing plates and drums should work just fine too.
Yup, Rangers and Aerostar Vans equipped with 8.8's. It's only one from each that will work though, so you need to find two rears in a junkyard. it's the driver side from a Ranger and p***enger from an Aerostar. There's also always somebody on Ebay selling a pair cheaply and there are plenty of conversion axles out there too.
All you need to do is swap axles and drums. Just get the axles and drums from a ranger or aerostar, as mentioned here or buy new 5 lug axles and drums from an aftermarket supplier. Just make sure you get the right spline count. You probably have 28 spline axles, but there are some 31 spline 8.8's out there too. While you're in there, install some c-clip eliminators.
Yes what Horsepower67 said about Ranger and Aerostar axles is correct. They are direct swap in. Nothing special needed to complete. All 4.0L 4x4 Ranger's had 31 spline 8.8" axles that will not work with your 28 spline Mustang center diff. If you find 2 axles form a 4x4 Ranger grab the diff as it will most likely be a Traction-Lok and rebuild it. And you get to upgrade to 31 spline axles too. The 2.3L and 3.0L Rangers all had 7.5", 28 spline rear ends whether 4x4 or 4x2. 7.5" and 8.8" rear ends use the exact same 28 spline axles. 4x2 4.0L Rangers got the 8.8" rear end but I don't know if they are 28 or 31 spline. Lastly brakes.... Mustang brakes are 9". Ranger brakes are 9". Aerostar brakes are 10". If you get Ranger axles grab the drums as they slide right on to the Mustang backing plates. If you get Aerostar axles grab the drums and the backing plates and upgrade to slightly larger drums for no extra charge. The internals (shoes, cylinders, etc..) are identical. I have done the 8.8 Mustang/Ranger axle swap on my '90 Mustang GT. If you have any specific questions I can answer them or get the answer for you. Was just looking a little closer at your picture and I noticed yiour rear axle still has the large hunk of metal hanging on the bottom of the axle center under the rear universal joint. Ditch that dead weight. It was put on the axle by Ford to cancel out some meaningless harmonic and is supposedly "tuned" for the OE gear ratios. All serious Mustang racers ditch it. It weighs like 15+ pounds. I took mine of my car 8 years ago never noticed a difference.
'94 to '98 same housing width but wider (~1.25" overall I think) due to the disk brakes. '99-'04 1" wider each side still disk brakes. '94-'04 5x4.5" bolt pattern.
Easy - Don't forget I'm over in Europe. It's going to be difficult enough finding a Ranger! Our dismantlers don't have much over here. I guess I may find something on post though. The wreaker there has mostly US stuff. Cheers Ed
Here ya go, problem solved: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Allo...727|39:1|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245
The material at the stud end of Fords axles in that era is pretty slim. Nobody in the Mustang world redrills and if anyone abuses the 8.8, it's the Mustang guys.
This site has a ton of info for 5-lug swaps and brake upgrades on Mustangs: http://svo73mm.cjb.net/ cheers Ed N.
If I could find a pic to show you, you would see that they have plenty of material at the lug locations but less thickness in the parts between. Drilling them is not an option. It is not a uniform thickness.
Cool deal,,,, so they actually have "bosses" where the lugs are set? Or wave in and out on thickness as it spins.
can you use 5 lug axles from a 8.8 foxbody with disk brakes...are they the same length..i would ***ume they would be but we all know what happens when you ***ume...
'94-'98 axles are a different length, but fit in the same housing. The extra width comes from the disc brake setup. The end of the axles is different. The link above is the most often referred to source for 5 lug swap info.
That slip yoke/ driveshaft picture is a perfect picture of what a way too short driveshaft looks like. Correct fitment would make the driveshaft at least 2 1/2 to 3 inches longer. With a shaft being too short like that, the tailhousing bushing and slip yoke have a lifespan of a firecracker in a firestorm. Correct driveshaft length would have the slip yoke being 3/4" to 1" from being bottomed out into the transmission.
i believe you could get 5 lug in a foxbody...just looked into that nevermind theynever had 5 lug in a foxbody
84-86 SVO Mustangs had 5-lug, they were using Lincoln Mark VII / Continental brakes. Also Saleen Mustangs, but those were conversions. cheers Ed N.
There were only two fox body Mustangs ever that came with 5 lug from Ford: 1993 Cobra R and 1984-1986 SVO (which also got rear disc similar to T-bird turbocoupes, but 5lug) All other 79-93 Mustangs were 4 lug with various sized and configurations of brakes. All 94+ Mustangs have 4 wheel disc. As for converting to 5-lug, and being in Germany, there is one very simple solution. Ford Racing Performance Parts! Direct for the factory with NEW parts. Ford Racing part number M-1126-A. It includes 2 axles and 2 drums. Summit Racing is selling the kit for $399. Might be something you could walk into a Ford dealer in Europe and order even. Hope this helps. -Josh
'83-'88 Thunderbird's and Mercury Cougar's were fox-body cars as were Fairmionts, LTD II's and Mercury Zephers and some mid 80's Marquis. None were ever 5 lug. EDIT: Lincoln Continental's (ealy 80's body style and last of the RWD Conti's) and Mark VII's shared many parts as well.
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