5-lug swap...is it a DIY job?

killer5.0 · Feb 9, 2010

does it require any special tools? i have basic hand tools etc and was hoping to do the job in my dads garage...i dont have any hands on experience really other than exhaust and oil changes...never really changed brakes or anything but would love to do the job myself...just wondering if its easy to do on jackstands or if you need a lift etc...any help would be great....thanks

killer5.0 · Feb 9, 2010

also whats it take time wise roughly? im doing a front and rear swap...brake booster and MC...SS lines...and adj prop valve etc...thanks

stykthyn · Feb 9, 2010

It's not something done in an afternoon. You should be able to do it with basic tools, rent a spring compressor for the fronts. Depending on how smoothly things go you should have it done in a weekend allowing for plenty of beer breaks.

SpartaPerformance · Feb 9, 2010

If have beginner to moderate mechanical skills it may take a whole weekend. The only specialty tools that you may need is a flare tool for metal brake lines just in case there is a union missing or some of the metal line need to be replaced due to corrosion.

killer5.0 · Feb 9, 2010

okay cool....thanks...i feel more confident now

Mustang5L5 · Feb 9, 2010

Depends on how DIY you are.

No idea how long mine took me. I did it over a few months combined with other mods and only working an hour or so here and there

stang&2Birds · Feb 10, 2010

The instructions below will give you an idea of what you are up for:
http://www.fordracingparts.com/download/instructionsheets/FordInstShtM-2300-K.pdf

Shaolin Crane · Feb 10, 2010

i did it on a friday night in about 7 hours

NIKwoaC · Feb 10, 2010

I have (what I would consider) extensive hands-on skill, and it took me 4 or 5 days of working on the car over the course of a few weeks.

Of course, I also did EVERYTHING at once. Converted to Cobra disc, ran custom brake lines (to avoid using adapters and unions), and basically built a new suspension.

If everything went perfectly smoothly, you could do it in a good solid weekend of work, but you have to plan for running into hiccups. For example, I got into the upper rear control arms only to find one of the press-in bushing cups in the rear end was damaged beyond repair. I also learned the hard way that 4-eye cars have less clearance on the shock tower for bigger boosters. Stuff like that turns a 2 hour job into a 2 day job.

killer5.0 · Feb 10, 2010

if i was to have my mechanic do the job...what kind of hours of labor do you think it would take a professional mechanic? i may just opt for him to do it as long as its not gonna cost me an arm and a leg...they get $50/hr around here so if i have a rough estimate of time i should get a rough estimate of cost....thanks

fiveohwblow · Feb 10, 2010

He would probably charge you for a minimum of 8 hours.

2000xp8 · Feb 10, 2010

Don't take this personal, but if you have to ask how long it's going to take, i suggest you start on a friday and with any luck you'll be done by sunday night.
Now if a a hard line breaks (it happened to me), i'd say with no prior brake experience, you are screwed and will likely have to call in someone with more experience and tools to fix it.

killer5.0 · Feb 10, 2010

sounds like im going to have to have him do it...itll cost me more if i get stuck in the middle of the project and have to pay someone to come on-site...8hrs labor is only $400 so as long as its not much more than that...thanks again

SpartaPerformance · Feb 10, 2010

$50/hr ? Wow! Where is that?

stykthyn · Feb 11, 2010

no chit!!!! most techs charge 100+ an hour!!

2000xp8 · Feb 11, 2010

Both of you guys live in big name cities. Those areas are likely to cost more because rent is higher, just like here in NJ.
Go out midwest and you can find things way cheaper, homes, rent, all kinds of labor, even the junkyards sell stuff alot cheaper.
Labor pricing is very much region dictated.

killer5.0 · Feb 11, 2010

upstate ny

krazedstang · Feb 11, 2010

yeah im 35miles north west of Chicago and shops around here charge 90-95/hr

claytucc3 · Feb 13, 2010

A brake flair tool will provide to be quite useful, in my case it was necessary. It is possible for even a beginner mechanic to complete. The difference is the amount of time needed to complete the job. The brake booster and the hard lines were the most difficult part of the job. I would give yourself a good weekend to do it and a friend to hand you tools is always a plus. I enjoy doing most of my work myself. Out here in California the average cost for a mechanic to install the brake conversion is around $1,000. It is a big and long project with the possibility of minor fabrication.

Jaym14 · Feb 13, 2010

killer5.0 said:
if i was to have my mechanic do the job...what kind of hours of labor do you think it would take a professional mechanic? i may just opt for him to do it as long as its not gonna cost me an arm and a leg...they get $50/hr around here so if i have a rough estimate of time i should get a rough estimate of cost....thanks

A local speed shop who specializes in Mustangs and who has done this swap on many cars quoted me 800$ labor minimum for the job. They said it typically takes them 10 hours to complete an entire swap.

5-lug swap...is it a DIY job?

killer5.0

killer5.0

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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Shaolin Crane

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2000xp8

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stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

2000xp8

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