I'm thinking of converting my '66 F100 to disc with spindles and rotors from a '74 F100.

I'm not really fond of the wheel options avilable for the 5x5.5 bolt pattern and would like to change over to the 5x4.5 pattern. That being said, does anyone know if there are any 5x4.5 rotors (like a '91 Explorer, Crown Vic etc...) that will fit on the '74 F100 spindle? Anyone done anything like this before? I know doing the Mustang II swap is an option but I thought I would see if this was possible before fabbing a new cross-member, cutting off suspension parts, frame welding etc...

Thanks for any help.

 

Option is to have your hubs and rotors re drilled along with your rear axle flanges.

There are no ford factory parts to make it work.

Garbz

 

Redrilling the rotors for the front I understand, but I think there are some year Torino shafts that will work in the rear of the F100. If not, a complete '73-'79 Mustang rear axle swap might be better than redrilling the axle flanges.

Thanks for the confirmation on not being able to swap rotors. I couldn't find any spec information so I wasn't sure.

 

No Torino axle shaft will work in an F100.

Not only are the Torino shafts too short, but the bolt circle pattern is different.

Torino (Montego/'74/79 Cougar/LTD II, Ranchero and etc.) axle shafts came with two different bolt circle patterns: 4.50" and from 1974 thru 1979: 5.00."

F100: 5.50" bolt circle pattern (some 1980/83's have a 4.50" bolt circle pattern).

A 1973 (1965/72 / 1979/2009) Mustang rear end will not fit in an F100, it's not wide enough.

The 1974/78 Mustang II rear end is even shorter, as all this car really is...is a re-skinned Pinto.

 

Wheels can be a challenge. BTDT. Keep looking, though. There are some options out there that just aren't apparent. After searching for about a year I finally found a surprisingly affordable and attractive wheel that fit. Bonus, I haven't seen it on any other Ford truck since I bought them!

Do not consider the M II suspension. Garbz can explain why.

 

Was flipping through summit racing catalog for the 100th time and saw a lot of aftermarket wheels in 5X5.5 You wanting something special?

 

More and more wheels are being manufactured in the 5 on 5.5 pattern due to rod building swinging back to the use of a Trad straight alxe and the use of stock ford hubs and brakes with the 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern.

Garbz

 

Can I hear more about this? Garbz?

Thanks for the replies.

It would be easier if I could find something in the 5x5.5 pattern. I'm looking for a "Mesh" type wheel design. I'll keep looking around while I research the best way to build a disk set-up with a different pattern. I'll weigh it all out and go from there.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

take the rear end and spindles off of a 81-83 ford f100 well you will need the calipers too but it will convert you to the 5.4.5

 

i am going to do mine next week

 

While some 1980/83 F100's have the 4.50" bolt circle, 4.50" LTD/Crown Vic/Mercury Grand Marquis/Lincoln Town Car wheels will not clear the calipers.

If these wheels will not clear, the other passenger car wheels won't clear either.

The front suspension, springs, shocks, spindles, rotors, pads, calipers, caliper brackets, shields and misc hardware used with the 4.50" bolt circle on F100's are not the same parts as used on F100/150's with the 5.50" bolt circle.

The F100's with the 4.50" bolt circle's rear brake shoes are 10" not 11" inches, which means the rear brakes are not compatible with F100/150's with the 5.50" bolt circle and their 11" x 2 1/4" rear brakes.
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Boris Palance: Would you install a Pinto front end in your truck?

1974/78 Mustang II's are nothing more than 1971/80 Pinto's under the skin!

The only difference is...the 1975/78 Mustang II's with 302's have heavier front coil springs.

 

Have you thought about wheel adapters? I'm not sure if they are made for this application but I have seen 6 lug to 5 lug adapers for chevys and I have also seen them made for Different size Pontiac bolt paterns from a 5 lug patern to a different size 5 lug patern. The only thing is you might have to play with the offset on your wheel if you went with something like what I am talking about. I am going to look online and see if I can find a link to a website for you. Here is the link to a website called US Wheel Adapters https://www.uswheeladapters.com/Home_Page.php Hope it helps.
JRB65

 

Yeah, I have found wheel adaptors that will convert to 5x4.5. They add extra width so I'm unsure if I want to go that route or not. I have also found a local machinist that will drill the new pattern in my hubs and rotors but I'm still looking at 5x5.5 options before I pull it all apart again... Thanks for the advice.


I ended up going with '74 F100 spindles and lowered Ibeams. At this point, I'm fine without swapping front ends.

 

Don't forget if you tear up an axel you have to buy another one and have it redrilled again. You wanting to use car wheels on a truck?

 

Yeah, I thought about breaking an axle and the hassle of having another hub and flange re-drilled. Off hand, I would say that I'm pretty certain that I won't be breaking an axle anytime soon but it's always possible...<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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I know some find it hard to believe but yes, I would like options other than truck wheels.
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