North American Turbocoupe Organization



5 Lug Conversion
BigNug Offline
Member
#1
Has anyone used the Brother's Performance 4 to 5 lug conversion kit? Part#FMM1126A. I have a 85 TC and would like to convert the easy as possible route.
Bignug
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darkthunder Offline
Senior Member
#2
I have. But you need to check your rear end to see if you have a Fox Mustang width rear. 83-85.5 Birds came with such rears.

This is from coolcats.net
Quote:Axle Shafts

Out back, things do get a bit trickier but it's not nearly as difficult as you've probably heard. What is true is that you must change the axle shafts to those with a 5-lug pattern. Now you can have your stock shafts machined for the 5-lug pattern, but as affordable and plentiful as new or used 5-lug axle shafts are these days, it makes more sense to search those out. Regardless, you do have to know exactly what's under your car before you go buying them. These axle shafts will directly swap into your Cougar's rear axle:

* 1983 to mid-1985 Cougar, 7.5" rear - 1987-93 Mustang-width axle shafts (aftermarket only); 1983-92 Ford Ranger pickup axle shafts (2 driver's side, ~29 5/8"); 1986-97 Ford Aerostar minivan (2 passenger side, ~29 5/8").
* Mid-1985 to 1988, 7.5" rear - 1994-98 Mustang-width axle shafts (7.5" or 8.8")
* 1988 XR7, 8.8" rear - 1994-98 Mustang-width axle shafts (7.5" or 8.8")

You may have to physically measure the rear end housing if you have a 1985 vehicle. Halfway through that model year Ford switched from the Mustang-width 7.5" rear to the Cougar/Thunderbird specific width rear axle (which is in between a Mustang and a Mark VII). All stock Ford rear ends of our era had 28-spline axle shafts.
But I would go the Ranger/Aerostar route if I had to do it all over again. I bought that kit when it was $199, and I thought it was overpriced then. Summit/Jeg's now sell it for $300 plus! That is outrageous.
darkthunder - 85 TC// 302/C4
2009 Subaru WRX//daily driver
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booksix Offline
Junior Member
#3
all i have to say is:

the mark VII swap is the best! Mark VII axels, brakes (bigger than TC, always good) and it widens the rear track 1" which is one of the best visual mods i've seen for a tc. it's looks sick, especially with 17x9 r's and nitto drags! :p
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Rod K Offline
Senior Member
#4
I did like booksix. I worried about the rear track, but when I was finished I liked it. I have the 17 x 8 bullits. The picture is in the showroom under my name.
Rod Kiser, '88TC, 5 speed, 5 lug, Cobra 13" front brakes, Mark VII 11 1/4" rear disc brakes, PiMP'n, Bullit wheels, ATR 3" exhaust, Aluminum driveshaft, EDIS, 60 LB injectors, gutted upper & ported lower. NATO Member
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Chuck W Offline
Posting Freak
#5
The stuff posted by darkthunder isn't exactly correct.... We've gone rounds about this on the Fox Thunderbird/Cougar forums and there is a difference, but only affects the 86 TCs (in reference to this board).

ALL 7.5 rear housings for 83-85 TBirds are the same width as the ones for the Fox Mustangs (7.5 & 8.8) and the SN-95's up to 98 for certain. The 87-88 TC 8.8 housings are the same width as these as well.
The 86-88 7.5 housings are wider than the others by about 1-1/2"...so the Mustang length axles don't work.

Here's a link to the discussion

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/show...php?t=3664
83 TC Clone, 85 Mercury LTS, 97 Volvo 850 T5 Turbo, 78 Volvo 240, 93 F150
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EricCoolCats Offline
Member
#6
Chuck, I had updated that page with clarification but didn't upload it (damned memory). It's since been uploaded with new info on a cheaper source for 10" 5-lug rotors, for all 1983-86 TC owners.
Eric - COOL CATS
The 1983-88 Mercury Cougar
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Chuck W Offline
Posting Freak
#7
Coolio Smile
83 TC Clone, 85 Mercury LTS, 97 Volvo 850 T5 Turbo, 78 Volvo 240, 93 F150
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