singerso

Hey everyone, Need some honest input. I have a previously I6, 66 Mustang coupe with a recently overhauled warm 289 (maybe 300HP at the wheels), rebuilt C4, headers, etc...

My car is currently 4 lug drum and the rear end is the original 7.25 (original with the I6) While its held up over the years, its time to upgrade. I have an empty 8" housing and center from a 66 so it'll bolt right in. Wife has given me small budget to replace the rear end and my dilema is moving from a 4 lug to 5 lug and drum to disc. I know its the right thing to do for obvious safety reasons thus my ask it a mortal sin so be kind...

Since its strictly a garage kept weekend only car, I plan to put either 3.55 or 3.79 gear/ trac-lock posi with a 2200 holeshot stall. If I go all in and move to 5 lug disc, I also need new 15" wheels/tires, front disc conversion kit, and v8 spindle & steering linkage (approx $4000 with labor)...When I disclosed the cost to the wife, it went over like a fart in church, if ya know what I mean...

Here's the question (remember, be kind)...Can I get away with sticking with 4 lug and drum configuration or should I fight for a 5 lug and disc conversion all around? 4 up front, 5 in the rear, etc...

While I love my ride, I have to live with the wife

67mustang302

You can live with your car, but you can't race your wife.

5 lug is a safety thing, 1 extra lug to handle extra shear forces, take load off the other 4. And it's easier to find stuff for typical Mustang 5 lug pattern.

If you're serious about keeping the car, I'd go 5 lug all around.

TexasAxMan

I'd start with the steering linkage and spindles. It might look odd to have 5 lug up front and 4 lug in the rear, but the 6 linkage is not up to the task with a v8. Make your next project the rear, the 7.25 will live for a while longer if you take it easy.

MonsterBilly

do the front conversion with steering parts.
Next you may want to look into doing a 8.8 rear end out of a new explorer. this is what I did any I was out of pocket about 300 bucks and one entire weekend. but in the i have a 8.8 rear end, trac-loc, and disc brakes. it was cheap too.

singerso

Hey guys...Thanks for the input thus far...Obviously being in a cost conscience situation, the 8.8 option provided by Monster sounds very appealing. I've read a few articles on this but it seemed to complicated as I was under the impression housing would need to be shortened, perched welded, axles from 2 different Explorers, etc etc...I'd be willing to consider this approach if someone can provide me a link that outlines step my step with parts. I don't have a welder nor can I fabricate so this is why I was looking to use the bolt-in 8" housing I have...

With respect to the overall project, I agree that there's no getting away doing all four corners but to appease the wife I felt it necessary to at least ask if its at all accepted to leave the front setup with 4 lug...If there's a way to keep the overall project under $3k, I'm sure that would keep her happy...Below is about the best I can do without stay with drum and the 4 lug pattern

$1,364.00 8" rearend w/Posi
$525.00 front disc (SWAP.2.1.3/M)
$295.00 V8 steering linkage
$328.00 Holeshot 2200-2400 - 24 spline
$200.00 misc
$550.00 tires/rims
$650.00 labor
$3,912.00

stephen.osborne1

Have you looked at a Lincoln, Granada, Versailles conversion? If you can find the right donor in a junk yard, you may save quite a bit on the front disc conversion... I was lucky enough to find one, and am happy with the results.

mushaus

I agree, I would do the steering and discs first. The discs are so much better than drums. It is one of the best mods I've done. I picked up spindles from eBay and installed the CSRP power setup.