Customs 63.5 Falcon v8 8" rear end 5 to 4 lug conversion

Found me a 63.5 Falcon v8 8" rear end to put in my 62 comet with 7.25" rear. I'd like to stay 4 lug, and it seems that

1) no one makes 4x4.5 8" rear axle shafts, or at least I can't find someone who does

2) maverick 4-lug 8" shafts might work, but apparently 4-lug 8" and 5-lug 8" are not cross-compatible.

3) The easiest way would be to drill out the axle studs and brake drum to 4x4.5, but @gimpyshotrods suggests this isn't doable.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ant-to-keep-it-four-lug.941670/#post-10595838

So, what can I do? I really don't wanna go maverick 4-lug, because I need as narrow a rear end as possible to fit wider wheels under the wheel wells.

 

Change the front to 5 lug? Much better assortment of wheels.

Dave

 

I would go to the bigger 5 lug brakes front and rear. That would include upgrading to the heavier v8 steering and such.

 

Maverick 8" is the narrowist 8" I know of.

 

Other than wanting 4 lug what is the real need? Any thing to do with wheel style/wheel/hub caps?

 

According to this it’s do able. https://fordsix.com/threads/redrilling-5-lug-axle-for-4-lug.76987/

 

Kind of a non Hamb part,but Mustang 8.8 rears came with 4 bolt axles,and drums in to the 2005 era.Fairly cheap in wreaking yards.

 

Gimpy does bring up a good point. Reach out to Cooks for the best answer. Been in LA since the later 40’s, same location.

 

The early 4 lug Maverick rear axle shafts are not compatible with your rear because of the bearings.

 

This is the spacing of 4 and 5 stud PCD. There has been a lot of shafts changed from 4 to 5 stud on 4 1/2 PCD over here so I can see no problem in doing the reverse. You might just to have to plug 2 holes at worst.

 

^^^^^ But will the backing plate bolt access hole as Gimpy pointed out leave enough material to do so?

 

What are you trying to accomplish? IIRC, you first asked about converting to V8 steering but wanted to keep the original brakes and engine and it was recommended that you just rebuild the OEM six steering. Now in switching to a V8 rear you may be facing the same issue; will those OEM brakes fit the axle? And if not, are the V8 brakes compatible with the six cylinder fronts? If you're not careful you may end up with a badly imbalanced brake system.

Why do you feel you need the 8"? If sticking with the OEM motor, the additional strength of the 8" really isn't needed. More clarity on just what you're after would help us in advising you.

Getting proper axles isn't really an issue, as the 8" and 28-spline small-bearing 9" used the same axles so there are multiple suppliers that can furnish new axles. The 4-lug pattern will be custom so expect to pay more. And 8" four-lug brake drums that were used on the '77 Mustang II V8 cars are still available new although whether those fit the Falcon brakes remains to be determined. Sticking with the 4-lug 13" wheels is going to limit your options.

 

V8 Mustang II’s had 4 lug 8” rears. May be hard to find one these days.

 

I believe I may have one in my stash. Bought it to get the 8” carrier assembly. If the OP @dydaktix is interested, I’ll have to go to my shop to verify exactly what I have. The rear end was complete so I have the housing, backing plates and axle shafts. I also some some bits for the V8 steering conversion.

Ray

 

4 bolt and 5 bolt falcon wheels have the same bolt circle 4 1/2 inch . Get one if those cheap plastic rings that have all the wheel bolt patterns lay it on the 5bolt lugs and mark the 4 bolt circle. the 13 inch wheels may not clear the 10 inch drums I used a 59 ford 9 inch in a 60 falcon and changed to 4 bolts without plugging any holes by using the above pattern just kept moving it around and even flipping it over until I found the right pattern location.

 

I would say yes as the Access Hole is between 1 and 2 on 5 stud now it would now between 1 and 3 on 4 stud. Stud holes 2 and 8 might also need plugs welded in as well as as per 10 and 11 in this article. Should have made it clear that you would only need to plug holes 2,4,6,and 8 at worst to go from 5 stud to 4 stud as you use 1 as one of your 4 stud holes. Then the other three 3,5 and 7 are the new 4 stud holes

 

Your best course of action is to go to one of the early Falcon web sites and ask them for advice.

 

I think that the later Fox body Mustangs have a different bolt pattern than the early Falcons. Peterson's "Complete book of engine swapping" from 1968 shows a 312 swapped into an early Falcon. They used a '59 Ford 9" and refilled to the 4 bolt pattern but they first plugged all the old wheel stud holes. Probably a whole lot more sensible to switch to the 5 bolt pattern on the front brakes.

 

@brading last posting a short while ago shows the plugging of the 5 lug holes.

 

Ranger 8.8.

56.5" wide. Lots of ratios. Plentiful in yards.

The axle flanges are solid, and machined flat on both sides.

Re-patterning 5-to-4 is easy.

Pick-n-Pull has plenty.

I will re-patern your axles for $100+studs

 

Why?

 

Wrong pattern.

The Falcon/Comet/early Mustang/Maverick patter is 4-on-4-1/2".

Later Mustangs are 4-on-4-1/4".