whats up stangnet im trying to do the 5 lug conversion on my 90 gt im asking and looking to seee if i could go with a 94-95 gt differential any suggestions? for the front i know i can use the 94 gt spindels ...
If I recall there is a certain year astrovan that uses the correct length axles which allows for a direct swap to use your existing rear for a 5 lug conversion. IMO that's the easiest way.,
The SN95 axles are longer.
A 94-98 rear end will make your tires move 3/4" further out.
The 99-04 rear is even wider, forgot how much...
Same with the spindles in the front.
The track width will only gain 3mm on each side with 94-95 spindles.
96-98 I believe will gain 6mm each side.
99-04 is something like 13mm per side (1/2")
Stick with the 94-95 to keep your front end alignment manageable.
If I recall there is a certain year astrovan that uses the correct length axles which allows for a direct swap to use your existing rear for a 5 lug conversion. IMO that's the easiest way.
The problem with this method is that you need the axle from one side, the other side is incorrect length.
I forgot which side... The Areostar axles are the correct length only on one side, the Ranger is only correct on the opposite side.
So the problem you have is finding 2 rear ends to source from, 2 vehicles, not one.
Then on top of that, most yards don't allow you to pull axles because they want to sell the whole rear end, and that chance is ruined for them when you pull an axle. Then the fact you need to wreck 2 different axles...
I'm not sure, but aren't 94-98 housings the same as Fox, just with longer axle shafts?
I recently installed 94-95 rear disc on my Fox housing because I had 3.73's and 5-lug Ranger axles. It wasn't hard - just a few little mods.
Cut the SN95 axle brackets to mount inside on the Fox housing
Tap and drilled a hole to mount 94-95 softline brakets
Rotor spacers from Disc Brakes R Us to use SN95 rotors on Ranger/Aerostar shafts http://www.discbrakesrus.com/make/ford/hardware.htm#axlespacer
Line adaptors Weatherhead 7818 from NAPA
Under the hood:
Used 94-95 MC
New 93 Cobra booster
Maximum Motorsports 3-2 MC line adaptor
FRPP adjustable proportioning valve
PV delete plug
all the 8.8 gears are the same from fox to sn to s197 to truck. theres 3 o.e. carriers (open, t-lok, and the new torsen) and two axle splines (28 and 31), but ring and pinions are the same for all and are why the 8.8 is an 8.8.
as to axles, there are aftermaket fox-length 5-lug axles available if you cant find used ranger/aerostar axles, moser, strange, and yukon all make them, and some will even use the sn hub so no ring adapters needed. and like said, depending on where you get stuff it may just be cheaper to get a whole rear from a 94-98 and swap what you need (the v6 uses a 7.5" rear, but the axles and brakes are the same as the v8's 8.8 and will bolt right on).