Check me on my 5-lug conversion

[KcMstang]

Wanting to figure out the best 5-lug setup for the rims I want to run. I believe I need to use the '94-'95 spindles up front and the ranger axles/drums on the rear but I want to make sure I will be able to fit the 18x9 up front and espeically the 18x10 in the rear. Remember my car was originally a 1988 4cyl if that matters. Appreciate the help.

Rims:
Front - FR500 (black) 18x9
Backspacking - 5.85"
Offset - +24mm

Rear - FR500 (black) 18x10
Backspacing - 6.38"
Offset - +22mm

 

[PJB]

Change the rearend to an 8.8 if you havent already. (2.3 has the 7.5, 5.0 has the 8.8)

With 18x10's you might want to get '94+ Mustang rear axles instead of Ranger axles so they put the wheel out a little more (1/4" on each side) for a little more clearance. With the '94 axles you might have to do a rear disc brake conversion because theyll put the drums out farther too.

The wheels will bolt up but Im thinking they might rub a little, especially a 9" wheel in the front. You might want to put '91-'93 fenders and inner fenders on it for a little more clearance but it still might be close up front.

Youll need to measure the clearances to make sure your backspacing is ok.

 

[KcMstang]

Will I need to change MC if I put disc brakes on the rear?

 

[PJB]

Yes.
And youll need to do something with the proportioning valve.

Im just going with Ranger axles and drums on mine so Im not sure exactly what to do with the rear disc set up.

 

[KcMstang]

That was the reason I wanted to keep the rear drums so that I wouldn't have to swap MC or proportioning valve. I'm going to get under the car this weekend and I'll see if it has the 8.8 or 7.5 diff.

 

[nonglossjason]

what year ranger can you get the axles from?

 

[PJB]

I think any year up to '92. One of mine is from a '90 and the other is from a '91.

I just came back from buying new drums for a '91 Ranger.

 

[25thmustang]

Not sure how the 18x10 FRs run, but with the 18x10 Bullitts I had to run Ranger axles, and might even run a small apcer to have the wheels sit perfect. Its easier to have a narrow axle, and space them out, than to have a longer axle and be stuck with a wheel outside of the wheel well.

Id say do a rear disc conversion, but if money is tight a ranger drum will work for now. Im in the middle of an SN95 disc conversion on my car.

The 4cyl might complicate things. Not sure if its the sindles or what, but the 4 cyls have what seem to be a narrower track up front. Because of this the spindles and brake stuff might not swap on as easily as the 5.0 stuff, but Im sure research will figure this out!

 

[Snikt89GT]

For drums just buy this kit. Same one I got.

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=LRS-1126K 1&comp=LRS

Summit or Buyfordracing might have it for cheaper. I think I paid 230

 

[Snikt89GT]

Oh BTW, I've driven my brothers car which is a fox with 03 cobra fronts and standard GT rear disc and my car which has 03 cobra front and the drum rear and I notice no difference in brakeing performance. The only real thing you get I guess is looks, but with the drums painted it doesn't look bad.

 

[PJB]

For drums just buy this kit. Same one I got.

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=LRS-1126K 1&comp=LRS

Summit or Buyfordracing might have it for cheaper. I think I paid 230

Quite honestly thats a big waste of money.

I paid $80 for two Ranger axles (thought that was a bit steep) and $69 for two new Ranger drums (Auto Zone).

 

[25thmustang]

With Cobra fronts and GT rears, you might not notice it, but with GT fronts and GT rears vs GT fronts and ranger drums you will notice a little difference, or Cobra fronts and rears vs Cobra fronts, drum rears. The large front brakes are doing almost all the work in a Cobra/GT or Cobra/Ranger set up, but with a GT/GT or GT/Ranger the rears will do more, not much, but something.

The real reason I did it, was I wanted discs out back, and thought they would look 100 times better.