Ford 8.8- need to go from 5 lug to 4....(I know...)

So I would like to take my exploder 8.8 from 5x4.5 to 4x4.5. Simply because I have some rare ssr rims. Wondering if I can utilize the Mustangs 4.5 lug drums instead of these rusted out 5 lug drums. I've had the axles redrilled. But didn't do the drums.

I did something similar to a GM rear end. Instead of drums, I converted the rear to discs. Much easier.

Find the brake rotors you want to use and an appropriately sized caliper. Weld a bracket on the axle housing to position the caliper in the correct place.

At that point I could just swap to full 8.8 discs.

But then you'd still be 5-lug.

buy new drums, stick axles in drums, use axles as guide to drill drums. the drums should be hub centric for the proper application, so... every drum i've ever put on had holes bigger than the stud enough to give 1/8"+ rotation either way until wheel was installed

2002maniac wrote: But then you'd still be 5-lug.

Exactly. The whole process took me about an hour or two. Much better use of time than running around the internet hoping to find a bolt-on solution

Thanks guys. Anyone know if the rustang drums are same size as exploders?

1993 eXPLORER Attributes
# of Bolt Holes : 5 I.D. (Inches) : 10" I.D. (mm) : 253.87 mm Width (Inches) : 3" Width (mm) : 71 mm Bolt Circle Diameter : 14.33 mm Brake Drum Surface Depth : 71.0mm Center Bore Diameter : 71.12 mm Height : 89.0mm Height (Inches) : 4" Height (mm) : 89 mm Inside Diameter : 253.9mm Maximum Discard Diameter : 256.29 mm Mounting Type : Composite O.D. : 297.7mm O.D. (Inches) : 12" O.D. (mm) : 297.7 mm

1992 Mustang Attributes
# of Bolt Holes : 4 I.D. (Inches) : 9" I.D. (mm) : 228.48 mm Width (Inches) : 2" Width (mm) : 55.8 mm Bolt Circle Diameter : 14.4 mm Brake Drum Surface Depth : 76.7mm Center Bore Diameter : 64 mm Height : 70.8mm Height (Inches) : 3" Height (mm) : 70.8 mm Inside Diameter : 228.5mm Maximum Discard Diameter : 230.12 mm Mounting Type : Composite O.D. : 270.0mm O.D. (Inches) : 11" O.D. (mm) : 270 mm

when we converted a friend's 89 Mustang (with an 87 Thunderbird Turbocoupe 8.8, if that matters) to 5 lug, we used axles and drums from an Aerostar van. everything was the same except for the number of wheel stud holes. if the Aerostar is the same as an Exploder, then you should be able to use Mustang drums.

Housing ends are different on top of the spline differences. If you truly want 4 lug, pony up for some moser axles and prepare to make custom backing plates for the drums.

The Mustang bolt pattern is not 4 x 4.5, it's 4 x 4.25

In reply to RossD:

I was wondering if that was going to be mentioned.

All great info! Ya know what- I'm just gonna have the five lug drums drilled for 114.3. I guess the rear job just got a little more spendy.