Bob-Morton

Can you change over a 4 lug rear end to a 5 lug by changing the axles, brake backing plates and drums?

andrewmp6

If your keeping the car a inline 6 that will work or have a machine shop redrill the axles to 5 lug.If the car is going to be a v8 you need a 8 inch rear end.

andrewmp6

I think the ford aerostar had a 7.5 and 5 lug so you could get the axles cut down and you got 5 lug drums.

lucasp

from the reseach i have done, you do not have to have an 8 inch rear for a V8.

1slow67

But is recommended. That I6 rear end can't handle the power and torque of the V8.

lucasp

exactly! but can be done if you dont have a lead foot.

andrewmp6

Ford used the 7.5 on v8s in the early 80s but most of them didn't make a lot of power.But i rather put in a 8 inch vs all the work to get a 5 lug 7.5.

crunchyskippy

I think that is the main point to take from this discussion. A used 8" in good shape can be had for a couple hundred bucks (probably less?). I imagine you'd spend at least that much with a machine shop trying to modify the existing axles, then find backing plates and drums (which you may have to do in any case).

Bob-Morton

Thanks for all the usefull information. I found an 8" 3.00:1 close buy. It will be perfect for my 289 C-4. Your suggestions really helped!

andrewmp6

Since your doing a v8 swap give this a reading http://www.mustangandfords.com/howto...ade/index.html