Suggestions for rear axle

[Uncle Carl]

I have decided to convert my Mark II from 4 lug to 5 lug. Front seems fairly simple. Rear (8.8) however has it's own challenges. I have seen the posts about swapping axle shafts and drums but was hoping to convert to disc in the rear at the same time. My question is should I do the axle conversion then the disc brake conversion or find a rear axle, already with what i need, and simply replace the whole thing.
Comments, suggestion and opinions welcomed.

[Ray]

Here is what I did for the 5-lug rear:
5 Lug Conversion Options:

This page is mostly geared towards the stock 4 lug wheels and stock 87-93 GT/LX wheels. Hence the "budget" name to the page. Here are your options for converting to 5 lug:

For the front rotors, use the rotors from a mid 80's Lincoln Continental, Lincoln Mark VII (85-91), or '84-'86 SVO. This will keep the cost down and allow you to keep the stock front brakes. You can buy the rotors for about $40-60 each. You an also purchase after market front rotors like the Power Slot brand in 5 lug. These cost about $99 each.

**Important note here! The SVO/Lincoln front rotors will NOT work with the Ford 98 & 99+ Cobra, Y2K Cobra R wheels, and 97+GT 17" wheels. Most of the wheels will mount up (98 cobra and the Bullitt wheels will not), but you will not be able to mount the center cap due to the larger dust cap on the rotor. To run these wheels, you need to convert over to the SN95 front brakes (this includes spindles, rotors, hubs and calipers). Please check this [link] for all the info and parts you need. Alternatively you can use a wheel spacer, but it is not recommended.

The Lincoln/SVO rotors will work for the 95 Cobra R wheel, 16" SN95 Pony wheel, and 99+ 15" & 16" wheel since they have a different center design and cap. If the center of the wheel is recessed, the Lincoln/SVO dust rotor will most likely be too large for the center cap of the wheel.

The 1995 Ford Cobra R wheel comes in two different offsets, 24 mm and 36 mm. The original Cobra R wheel, the R58, has a 24 mm backspacing which is good for all four corners of a SN-95 car. The R58 also fits well in front of a Fox body car that has the Cobra brake upgrade. But the rear of a Fox M2300-K car requires use a later model, the M179, which has 36 mm of backspacing, and therefore places the wheel 12 mm further inboard to clear the fender well.

To keep the stock rear wheel offset, the '83-'92 Ranger/Bronco II Left (driver) side axle (29-5/32") from a 4cyl or 3.0L V-6 with the 7.5" rear end, or '86-'97 Aerostar RIGHT side axles (29-5/32") is what you want. They are the same rear axles; the center section is just on the opposite side when you compare the rear ends. You will need the drums from either of these vehicles also if you are staying with rear 9" drums. The 7.5 axle Rangers & Aerostars use 9" drums. These parts are direct 5 lug replacements for the stock 9" rear drums on the 79-93 Mustangs.

**Important: Don't get the axles and drums from a Ranger with the 4.0L engine, as they use 10" rear drums with a wider 8.8" axle (unless you want to convert to larger drums!)

Most of the larger mail order companies have kits that you can purchase, although they are overpriced! The front conversion using the SVO/Lincoln parts running $180-199 for the front 11" rotors (which you can buy for about $40-60 each) and the rear axles and drums for $180-199 (less than $50 from a Ranger or Aerostar).

Call or look at the vendors, like Breeze, for the rear disk set-up. He also has the axles. I think Fortes also has the kits.

Ray

[Snakefan]

Hello
Look here
http://www.northracecars.com/
He (Richard Oben) sells the brackets for the disc conversion, and can tell you the axles you need. I would do it all at the same time, since you have the rear end torn apart anyway. makes for a nice winter project.
JMHO. you will get others I'm sure.
Wayne

[Wade Chamberlain]

I agree w/ Wayne...do the 5-lug and rear disks at the same time. I bought most of my conversion stuff from Richard too.

[Richard Oben]

http://www.northracecars.com/Brakes.html
or
http://www.northracecars.com/completekit.jpg

We sell all or part of what you need. It sounds like a lot of money but the kit is very, very complete. The other option is buy a 94/95 rear and the use our axles and brackets.

Thanks to those above for kind words. Cheers Richard.

[Ken McGuffin]

You may find it difficult to find an early (narrow) 8.8" axle assembly modified the way you want it. I converted mine piece-meal, but all at one time . . . Yukon 5 lug axles, Mustang Cobra rear disc calipers, upgraded rotors, Brakes-R-Us hoses and Richard's adaptor bracket. If I had to do it again, I would get everything from Richard and be done with it. Make your changes all at one time, if your budget allows.

Ken

[thaase]

Do it the easy and reliable way. Call Richard Oben, tell him what you want, what wheels, tires, etc and he will take care of you. You will have parts that will work and for not that much more than trying to piece it together and it will work.

[CraigS]

As above but w/ a few additional reasons i have learned the hard way.To swap axles you have to swap axles.Not real hard to do but what a pain dealing w/ the gear oil etc. So do both at the same time so you only have to do it once.You may not be aware but the axles have to come out to do the drum to disc swap.Buy the right axles so the wheels will self center on the axle itself.i bought some used axles before i was aware of this and curse every time i have the wheels off cause it's a pain putting them back on and tightening the lugs slowly a little at a time so the wheel centers on the 5 lugs.(and yes i have the spacers from disc brakes-r-us and they fall off when you sneeze so they help but...) And then get the anti-moan brackets from MAx at Five Star Ford cause you will want them.Search for my post from last week for numbers.

[Uncle Carl]

As usual fast and informative responses. I will have a look at what Richard has to offer. This is planned as a winter project, can't plan too early.

[Shag]

I'm using my 98 GT as a donor car and my rear end width is 61.125" versus the 59.5" that was used through 93. Has anyone swapped axles to trim that ~2" down and fit wider wheels on the back? Is it as simple as switching out the axles and oil seals or is the rear axle housing for the 94+ actually wider as well?

I'd rather stick with the rear end I have if the solution is as simple as swapping out axles. I know some companies sell kits to replace just the axles and brackets.

[CraigS]

The axle housing is fine. you need shorter axles and different brackets for the calipers so they move inward also.