8 lug to 5 lug conversion on my 65 f250

[dalton65f2]

i am wanting to convert my 65 to 5 lug. because frankly i dont like any of the 8 lug wheels. and wheels are all over the place for 5 lug. what should i do? and i have searched and havent really seen anything. i know i can get 5 lug axles for the dana 60. but i dont know where to get them or what to buy. and as for the front i have NO IDEA

[Hawkrod]

Well, the truth is the front is easy, it is the rear that is not easy. You can get axles for a 5 lug Dana 60 but you will also need a 5 lug Dana 60 rear end to put them in because they won't fit in the rear end you have! The only part the two rear ends have in common is the center cast iron casting and some internals. The axle tubes, brakes, and everything else is dramatically different. As long as you have a low GVWR F250 you can just unbolt your front hubs and brakes and bolt F100 parts back on and you will be done but you will have to change the rear end and driveshaft to get 5 lug out back. Hawkrod

[dalton65f2]

oh ok. i was wondering if a mustang rear end would bolt up. because they are readily availible. and is the Crown vic front swap worth doing? because i have some serious caster issues. and i want front disc

[bluebolt]

oh ok. i was wondering if a mustang rear end would bolt up. because they are readily availible. and is the Crown vic front swap worth doing? because i have some serious caster issues. and i want front disc

From your one picture of your truck I think you would be best off with the 2003 up Crown Vic. You could put 5 lug 1973-1979 F100/F150 disc spindles on but it won't cure your alignment issues without drop I beams as well. For the rear axle I would recommend the late 1996-2001 Explorer, 31 spline axles, decent disc brakes, has the same 4 1/2" pattern as the Crown Vic. If you are talking about a 1996-2004 Mustang 8.8 they are 28 spline and not as strong.

[banjopicker66]

You know, I would think swapping out the Dana axle for a Ford 9" would be far easier - at least to get you 5 lug axles in the rear. Any F-100 rear axle from '60 to '72 is a bolt-up solution. If you get a '68 - '72 F-100 rear axle, you will get larger rear brakes too.
And, use a '73 - '79 F-100/150 for a donor to get 5-lug power disc brakes and power steering to boot.
That seems like a lot less work than a Crown Vic swap.
Just my opinion, though.

[dalton65f2]

thanks for the help guys. i have to do some searching

[bluebolt]

You know, I would think swapping out the Dana axle for a Ford 9" would be far easier - at least to get you 5 lug axles in the rear. Any F-100 rear axle from '60 to '72 is a bolt-up solution. If you get a '68 - '72 F-100 rear axle, you will get larger rear brakes too.
And, use a '73 - '79 F-100/150 for a donor to get 5-lug power disc brakes and power steering to boot.
That seems like a lot less work than a Crown Vic swap.
Just my opinion, though.

Banjo if he was using it as a truck I would agree with you but he is trying to get it low. By the time he got the drop i-beams, disc brake conversion and everything to go along with it it would probably be more than a Crown Vic conversion and still not as low. Check out the pic of his truck.
[albumimg]8642[/albumimg]

Dalton I would really love to see more pictures of your truck and more info about the short bed conversion. The dropped rear axle bed cover looks intriguing using the same ribbed floor material.

[banjopicker66]

OH. Ooops, yes, bluebolt, you are correct, my advice isn't good for his use.

[dalton65f2]

bluebolt. what do you suggest?

[pj's64F250&66F600]

What specific version of the 8 lug wheels do you have? If you have the inward facing hubcap holders and the rims are of the non-split retainer ring-equipped version, I am interested in purchasing them. Please advise. pjacques@wcu.edu

Paul

[dalton65f2]

i have no idea what you said lol but here is a picture of my wheels

[bit]

dalton look at the thread new truck the black and white is lowered as much as you can go and stay off the stops and i straightened the i beams to get the camber correct, they are not drop axles. the blue truck is a ltd swap and by far the best riding and driving one.


bit

[dalton65f2]

i love that uni. give me some details on what you did to the front. and when i find a good 5 lug rear i am going to 4 link it and disc brakes all around. i would like to do the Crown vic swap on the frontt.