Switching from 5x5.5 to 5x4.5 lug pattern

[fomocoguy]

Ok, so I hope I'm not beating a dead horse here as I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I didn't find all the answers I was looking for by searching, so here goes:

I have a beautiful set of 17" Torque Thrusts, 5x4.5 pattern, that I want to use on my project 72 F100 shortbed w/ 5x5.5 existing pattern. I think spacer/adapters will bring them out too far in the front.

I plan on keeping the drum brakes but converting to power.

Are there axles that could be swapped in, maybe from a full size ford?

Are there full size ford drums that could be swapped in?

Any other ideas?

I paid $1600 for the wheels and tires 6 months ago and I'd rather not lose my arse on them to buy a new set! Thanks!

[fomocoguy]

I just thought of something else; I plan on doing a 3" drop. Don't one of the drop beam kits move your front tires in? Then they may fit with the adapters....

[lightning_msd]

put in a fatman IFS kit with 5x4.5 bolt patter, and swap out the rear for a 9" from any full size ford car

[fomocoguy]

put in a fatman IFS kit with 5x4.5 bolt patter, and swap out the rear for a 9" from any full size ford car

Fatman ifs would be nice, but let me clarify: I need to do this on a tight budget! I don't want to half ass things, but I don't have thousands of dollars to spend on suspension mods. Doing the drop is gonna cost enough!

[lightning_msd]

put in a fatman IFS kit with 5x4.5 bolt patter, and swap out the rear for a 9" from any full size ford car

Fatman ifs would be nice, but let me clarify: I need to do this on a tight budget! I don't want to half ass things, but I don't have thousands of dollars to spend on suspension mods. Doing the drop is gonna cost enough!

its not gonna happen ive tried to find a way as well...

[FORDification]

For the rearend, just get the axles redrilled for the 4.5" bolt pattern.

For the front, I've heard from several sources that a Galaxie rotor up through '72 will work on these trucks' spindles, since the inner and outer bearings are the same. I haven't personally tried it though. And if you wanted a 5"x5" pattern, you could use a '73-up Galaxie rotor.

[convincor]

I'll be watching this thread.. Thinking of them same only doing front disc.
Maverick and Granada's used the same wheel bearings.
Maybe the only difference in these rotors was the lug pattern??
Not sure on diameter? Once I have my spindles I may try them
As for axles, I'd think just order a set of custom. $240 pr and redrill drums.
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

[fomocoguy]

For the rearend, just get the axles redrilled for the 4.5" bolt pattern.

For the front, I've heard from several sources that a Galaxie rotor up through '72 will work on these trucks' spindles, since the inner and outer bearings are the same. I haven't personally tried it though. And if you wanted a 5"x5" pattern, you could use a '73-up Galaxie rotor.

So, how do you keep your studs in if you have the axle flange drilled? Do they drill them just a hair small, or are there special studs that aren't splined? If this can be done, then I suppose the drums could be drilled too, like convincor said...

[convincor]

Here's a pic of T-Birb IRS hubs after being redrilled from 4.25" to 4.5"
Studs are splined and press fit. Axle would be done the same. Your drum doesn't have to be perfect as it is hubcentric on the axle.

[fomocoguy]

put in a fatman IFS kit with 5x4.5 bolt patter, and swap out the rear for a 9" from any full size ford car

Instead of swapping the whole rear end, couldn't I just swap axles? The truck has the gear ratio I want...

[FORDification]

There aren't any other rearends with the same housing width as our trucks, so just swapping the axles from another application into your existing housing won't work.

[fomocoguy]

Here's a pic of T-Birb IRS hubs after being redrilled from 4.25" to 4.5"
Studs are splined and press fit. Axle would be done the same. Your drum doesn't have to be perfecy as it is hubcentric on the axle.

Ok, but how would that work on the front? When I referred to the drums being drilled, I was thinking of the front drums, which makes me wonder if that would compromise there strength? In fact, I haven't even had them off yet; are they like 60's cars with the studs pressed into the drums?

[fomocoguy]

There aren't any other rearends with the same housing width as our trucks, so just swapping the axles from another application into your existing housing won't work.

Well if thats the case then a full size ford car rear end won't be the correct width for my truck, right?

[convincor]

Looks like 71-73 Mustang axles??
Here's the link-
http://www.ultrastang.com/Rearinfo.asp?Page_ID=1



REAR END HOUSING WIDTHS OF VARIOUS FORD VEHICLES:

Measured from the inside of one axle tube end flange, to the inside of the opposite axle tube end flange --(where the brake backing plates bolt to the ends of the housing, and NOT taken from the wheel-flange-to-wheel-flange distance, --where the back of the wheel would mate up to the face of the drum/disk).

1. 1965-1966 Mustang 8 & 9-inch housing width: 52¼".

2. 1967-1970 Mustang 8 & 9-inch housing width: 54¼".

3. 1971-1973 Mustang 8 & 9-inch housing width: 56".

4. 1957-1959 Ford big-cars 9-inch housing width: 52¼".

5. 1960 model T-Bird 9-inch housing width: 52¾".

6. 1975-1980 Granada/Monarch 8 & 9-inch housing width: 52¼"

7. 1977-1980 Lincoln Versailles 9-inch housing width: 52¼"

8. *1957-1972 Ford pickup 9-inch housing width: 56"

9. 1973-1979 Ford pickup 9-inch housing width: 59¾"

10. 1980-1985 Ford pickup 9-inch housing width:??

11. 1966-1977 Ford Bronco housing width: 52¼"

12. 1978-1985 Ford Bronco housing width:??

* The 1972, and earlier, Ford half-ton pickup's 9-inch rear end could be used in the '71-'73 Mustangs, (if no suitable donor from a car can be found), if some modifications to the rear end housing, brake drums, and lug spacings were made:

1. The spring perches would have to be moved from the the top of the truck's axle housing tubes to the underside of the tubes, and placed at the correct 43-inch distance apart.

2. The truck's brake drums would have to be re-drilled to the correct 4½" lug spacing to fit the '71-'73 Mustang's pattern.

3 The axleshaft's wheel flanges would also have to be re-drilled to accommodate the 4½" lug spacing.

4. For better appearances, the lower shock mounting brackets would also need to be removed from the Ford truck's 9-inch rear end housing tubes.

(** Similar modifications would apply to '66-'77 Ford Bronco 9-inch rear ends, to install in the pre-'71 Mustangs).

[fordman]

i cant prove it but that data has to be wrong. i have the axle from a car rear end in my truck. i think it was a galaxie my dad parted out. it could have been a ltd. it wasnt a truck. and my rear end has never been switched.