5 Lug Axles for Turbo TBird Rear

[capri650]

Has anybody changed the the Turbo T-Bird 4lug disc brake rear to 5 Lug and if so what axles did you use. Will the oposite side of the Ranger work if the one side is right for the stock rear is the long one right for the disc rear.

[50 Proof]

i don't see why driver side ranger axels wouldn't work. Maybe someone can confirm? it's still an 8.8 rear. Also passenger side Aerostart axles will work. Thats what i'm using to convert the rear to 5 lug. Plenty of aerostars in the junk yard, more common then the rangers.

[v8only]

I heard there is a really easy way to do this.

You don't want the "opposite" side ranger axles, as they will be too long. I understand the tc axleshafts are longer, but that is because they have that gear on the end of them for the anti lock brakes, which you are no longer using.

What you want to do, is get 2 pass side aerostar rangers (much more common) or 2 dr side ranger axles. From what I have read, all you have to do is redrill the tc rotor to accept 5 lugs, and everything bolts straight up.

If you are not comfortable with that, I believe the mark vii came with 5 lug rear discs, and you can use those.

[Freejack]

The Mark Viis did come with 5-lugs so they will be an easy conversion. I will have to check the width of the 5 lug rear I have at home, versus the older 4 bolt that can on my 79. I believe the Mark Vii and the TC rears are both a bit wider than a stock mustang (assuming your putting the TC rear under a mustang.

Jake

[Mustang5L5]

The offsets are all wrong. You cannot use ranger axles or Mark 7 axles at all. The ranger axles are for a stock offsert drum setup. The t-bird rear disk is 0.75" wider each side. The Mark 7 setup is 1.25" wider each side.


Couple things you can do If you are set on keeping the t-bird setup.

1.) Buy 5-lug aftermarket axles for a '93 Cobra offset. These will be 5-lug axles but for the offset of the cobra which is the same as the t-bird and is 0.75" wider each side. Then, redrill the rotors for 5-lug (at a machine shop, not with your craftsman drill)

2.) 94-98 Sn95 rear axles are also 0.75" wider than a fox drum setup. I am NOT SURE, but i beleive the offset is the same to use with the t-bird stuff. But you cannot use the rotors as they are a different size and thickness and will not work with the t-bird calipers and brackets. You would need to redrill the rotors again here. But all this is assuming you could use the Sn95 setup.

These methods are iffy...not so big on redrilling rotors

What i would do?

Just convert to a rear SN95 setup. Offset is the same 0.75" offset and the calipers are the same 38mm Varga style calipers (so no MC changed really needed)

[Scott Toogood]

This topic is near & dear to my heart as I hope to switch to a 5-lug setup soon. I think the SN 95 axles also have an inner lip which must be machined off to allow the rotors to sit flush, or else you must machine a beveled edge on the inside of the rotor. Your choice.

Also, Mustang5L5 if the calipers and axle width are the same between SN95's and TC's, why can't the SN95 rotor be used on a TC assembly with SN95 axles? Granted the SN95 rotors are thinner (non-vented), but the caliper should be able to slide on the carrier enough to take up the slack (approx .5"). The diameter is comparable too, IIRC (TC = 11" rotor, SN95 10.5" rotor). Is this correct?

[Coupester]

Let me jump in here and cease the dispelling of false information.

The Turbocoupe 8.8 housing is identical to the 86-98 Mustang 8.8 housing, except for the quad shock brackets, which are slightly different on the turbocoupe housing (but can easily be trimmed down).

That being said, any 28 spline 7.5" or 8.8" 5-lug axle can be slid into the turbocoupe housing as a direct bolt-in. A complete list of these:

4 cyl driver's side Ranger axles (with 7.5" rear end)
passenger side Aerostar axles (any year besides AWD Aerostars)
1994-1998 Mustang V6 or V8 axles
1984-1992 Lincoln Mark VII axles (both LSC and non-LSC)
1984-1986 Mustang SVO axles
1983-1986 Lincoln Continental Axles

You can use 1999-2004 V6 and V8 axles, but only when the entire 99+ 8.8 housing is used, as the axles will not work with a 86-98 housing (they will slide in, but the brakes will not bolt up).

If you are using the turbocoupe rear end and wish to go 5 lug, I suggest either going the Aerostar/ Ranger route if you wish to keep drum brakes. For disc brakes and stock rear track width, use Lincoln/ SVO/ Mark VII brakes with Aerostar/ Ranger axles. This has been performed by several people including me, and I can provide a link to the instructions:

http://home.pacbell.net/black306/tech/reardisc.html

If you wish to use 1994-2004 SN95 17x8 wheels (any style), you may also use 1994-1998 V6 or V8 disc brakes with their longer axles (.75" on each side), or 1994-1998 Cobra rear disc brakes (same length axle as 94-98 GT), or you may also use the axles and disc brakes from a 84-92 Lincoln Mark VII or 83-86 Continental. Using Mark VII/ Continental/ SVO disc brakes with their longer axles (1.25" each side) will require you to roll the fender lip (a very simple modification).

Chris

[Coupester]

BTW - I successfully designed and built a solution to the "non-functioning" ebrake problem described in that link I posted.

Chris

[Coupester]

Another useful site to help you guys learn about your options:

http://mjbobbitt.home.comcast.net/mustang/5lug.html

[v8only]

Great info coupester.

[Mustang5L5]

Also, Mustang5L5 if the calipers and axle width are the same between SN95's and TC's, why can't the SN95 rotor be used on a TC assembly with SN95 axles? Granted the SN95 rotors are thinner (non-vented), but the caliper should be able to slide on the carrier enough to take up the slack (approx .5"). The diameter is comparable too, IIRC (TC = 11" rotor, SN95 10.5" rotor). Is this correct?

I beleive the TC setup is 10" vented while the SN95 setup is 10.5 solid.

Since the SN95 rotor is larger i think it would interfer with the TC bracketry....if you could even do the mix and matching