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Author
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Topic: 68 mustang 4 lug or 5
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Trex
Journeyman Posts: 4
From: Huntington,Ind. USA
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 08-05-2001 09:08 PM
  
Hello anyone know if i really need to change my suspension from 4 lug to 5 lug? I'm not going to be racing the car just motoring around town. It was a 6 cyl and was changed over to a 302 thanks for any help.
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kcode
Gearhead Posts: 2623
From: alvaton,ky,usa Suburb of Bowling Green, M&M #79, MCA #29208
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 08-05-2001 11:12 PM
Trex,
Welcome to M&M, I can't give you a good answer to your question other that V-8 components are stronger in the long run. We do have a resident 68 Specialist, Sam, he might pop in an answer. I'm originally from Ft. Wayne, and you being from the home of Dan Quayle is close. You might try and contact someone from the Old Fort Mustang Club in Fort Wayne for parts when needed.
------------------
Mike Golliver
MCA Assistant National Head Judge-Modifieds
65 Kcode coupe modified 5-speed
66 convertible-3 dueces and a 5-speed with a 289
65 Fastback -GT-350H Clone SOLD IT 7/21/01
89 T-Bird Super coupe
01 Mustang GT Convt
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The Iceman
Gearhead Posts: 2076
From: Shelton, CT
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 08-06-2001 12:19 AM
From what Ive always heard, it was just safer to do so (although I could be wrong! - i wouldnt want to spend the money and time if i didnt really have to either  )
have a good one  ------------------
Dan~
1965 Coupe "BeeBop" 200ci Straight "6"~2.77 3-spd w/Hurst Shifter~Pertronix Elec. Ign.~Flamethrower Coil~Flex-Fan~Clifford 6-2 Header~26" Smithys~3" chrome tips
https://mustangsandmore.com//ubb/TheIceman.html
http://www.motorcities.com/contents/01GF9250033520.html
Nothing Beats Six In A Classic Mustang! ;)
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The Iceman
Gearhead Posts: 2076
From: Shelton, CT
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 08-06-2001 12:21 AM
Oh yeah! Welcome to M&M!!!!!  Greatest site on the net! Go over to SAms place and introduce yourself! have a good one ------------------
Dan~
1965 Coupe "BeeBop" 200ci Straight "6"~2.77 3-spd w/Hurst Shifter~Pertronix Elec. Ign.~Flamethrower Coil~Flex-Fan~Clifford 6-2 Header~26" Smithys~3" chrome tips
https://mustangsandmore.com//ubb/TheIceman.html
http://www.motorcities.com/contents/01GF9250033520.html
Nothing Beats Six In A Classic Mustang! ;)
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H8CHEVY
Gearhead Posts: 276
From: Southern Cali
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 08-06-2001 02:59 AM
I do know that you will have the smaller 6cylinder rear end.... being that its not the 5 lug, 289 rear end....
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Trex
Journeyman Posts: 4
From: Huntington,Ind. USA
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 08-06-2001 07:39 AM
Thanks for the welcomes. Kcode I just missed a big car show in Ft.Wayne last week was like 250 mustangs there maybe next time. I'll look into the Old Fort Club. Iceman thats one nice ride you have there. And you guys are right M&M is a great place. Just hope I can get by with the 4lug setup that $1000 for change over would go a long way on new interior.
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project66
Gearhead Posts: 241
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 08-06-2001 08:59 AM
Heya Trex-
Welcome to M&M.I am just finishing the 6 to 8 cylinder conversion that the previous owner of my car started. Bottom line is that there's lots of things to consider and be prepared to spend well over a $1000. Lots of little things creep up, especially if you have the "while I'm doing this, I might as well do that" mindset. On the front end, you've got relatively puny, 6 cyl suspension and steering components. I was told (think it was by someone on this list) that it was unsafe for the heavier (8 cyl) motor and should be replaced. Truth is, my steering components were pretty torn up- how much of that was age and how much excessive wear, I don't know. 8 cylinder stuff is considerably more stout and I feel better having it on. If your gonna go through the bother of replacing it, might as well do it in polyurethane. And while your changing spindles, how bout disc brakes (or at least a dual chamber master cylinder. Wheels and decent tires and you've just spent your 1k. But now you've got 5 lug on the front and 4 lug on the back. You could carry two spares, but consider that you have a mighty 8 cylinder in front of a puny, 6 cylinder transmission, drive shaft and differential. 8 inch differentials are easy enough to find- (gonna stick it in without someone going through it?). Gonna have to replace the rear brake assemblies, too. Wheels, tires, drive shaft, (leaf springs?), and you've spent another grand. Still have the tranny to do, too. Returning to the bottom line: if you're going to keep the car, invest the money and time and do it all. If this is a short-term ride, I'd replace the 6 cylinder stuff with more 6 cylinder stuff. My car was a gift, and I'm going to keep it. But, if the situation were different, I would have bought an authentic, 8 cylinder car. Just my 2 cents. JimO
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The Iceman
Gearhead Posts: 2076
From: Shelton, CT
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 08-06-2001 11:34 AM
Trex, thanks for the compliments
JimO hit it right on the head -- when you said suspension, I assumed that meant you already changed the rear end, driveshaft and tranny to an 8cylinder (or have you?)
Either way, he made every necessary point and as i TOO have found out with a classic car no matter WHAT the brand, you always find something else that needs time or money to be spent on --- it might seem like a vicious cycle at times but its the times when you smile that its all worth the while (luckily though, it seems that the Ford Mustang has perhaps the biggest following of parts either in reproduction or originals - at least thats my view on it!)
have a good one ------------------
Dan~
1965 Coupe "BeeBop" 200ci Straight "6"~2.77 3-spd w/Hurst Shifter~Pertronix Elec. Ign.~Flamethrower Coil~Flex-Fan~Clifford 6-2 Header~26" Smithys~3" chrome tips
https://mustangsandmore.com//ubb/TheIceman.html
http://www.motorcities.com/contents/01GF9250033520.html
Nothing Beats Six In A Classic Mustang! ;)
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mustangs68
Moderator Posts: 18183
From: Hampton,Virginia,USA MCA#39406 M&M #12
Registered: May 99
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posted 08-06-2001 06:55 PM
Hey I'm here Yes you'll need to swap out the springs front for a stiffer set..the end which is a 7 3/4 may not stand up to the V8..My son bought a 67 coupe at a great price of $600 however one of the past owners put in a V8. We need to rebuild it so he just bought a re-manufact. motor from Auto Zone which they call a "K-Code" spec engine. We added headers and such now the rear end can't handle the power and the front end has to much "lift" when giving her gas causing the tires to rub the fenders once it "come down"...If at all possible start with a V8 car and save a ton of money...
sam
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Trex
Journeyman Posts: 4
From: Huntington,Ind. USA
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 08-06-2001 09:56 PM
Like to thank everyone for there input after reading everything here and talking to a few wrench guys i'm going to stay with the 4 lug setup for awhile. But i'm getting new springs and shocks installed Friday and on the 27th getting the interior done. Sam your rigth starting with a v8 be much cheaper on me but this car looked so nice sitting there i had to buy it.
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69maverick
Gearhead Posts: 906
From: Thomaston,CT.
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 08-07-2001 08:25 AM
It don't have to cost a grand to make it right! You can get a 8" open rear,5lug that will bolt right in for 150.oo or so,Maybe less!! at a bone yard! odds are it will be just as good as the one you have now!New frnt springs are about 75.oo If you want disks just find a granada or a Maverick with disks and use the whole hub!Disks and calipers should be around 75. per side used.If you need new rotors and calipers that will add to the price!But you should be able to get the hubs a little cheaper. As for Master cylinder A rebuilt one at Advance Auto is only 15 beans! Thats 400-600 total!
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Trex
Journeyman Posts: 4
From: Huntington,Ind. USA
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 08-07-2001 09:06 AM
Maverick your right on the money with the price of parts the $1000 bucks was parts installed. The reason I'm going to stay with the 4 lug for time being is Cash. From what i have heard the 4 lug will be ok for awhile if i don't beat on the car to much and next year i'm going to change over to 5 lug with disk brakes thanks for the reply.
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H8CHEVY
Gearhead Posts: 276
From: Southern Cali
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 08-07-2001 02:31 PM
Hey guys, unless he bought a 289 stang in really good condition, wouldnt it need to have the suspension and so forth rebuilt anyways? I mean the older stangs need a freshen up. Im with Project 66 on this seeing I just finished the same thing, but if he had to go and rebuild another one the difference would be a few parts between the two cars right???
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68 S-code GT
Gearhead Posts: 1129
From: Sayreville, NJ, US
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 08-08-2001 07:40 AM
Tie rods and spindles would be the same for a 68 with a 6 or 8! Backing plates, drums (with hubs), wheel cylinders, shoes and the guts would be needed up front along with V8 springs. Out back the 8? with the driveshaft would also be nice.
My first car was a 67 coupe with a 6 that I dropped a 351W in without changing any of the suspension or brakes and it was a little to soft. The rear held up fine until I did a burn out (grenaded the spider gears) and the brakes were ok unless I had to stop in a hurry!Check the local bone yard for usable parts because they would be cheaper than new ones even if you have someone else install them! ------------------
68 S-code FB GT 4spd/3.25 PS PDB
68 J-code Cp Sprint"B" C4/3.00 PDB PS AC
99 F150 XLT Ext/cab, 4X4, 5.4L, 3.55LS
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