All Small Six 4 Lug to 5 Lug Conversion

This relates to all small sixes

epadilla24

New member
What is the best way to go about converting a 1966 Ford Mustang with a 200 Ci stock ( that I will be keeping ) from a 4 Lug into a 5 lug tire ? Is there any kits ? Do y’all have tips and Tricks before I go down this path?

-EMP 1966 Ford Mustang Straight 6
 
If I read your post correctly, you plan on keeping a stock six cylinder engine in your car. I find that to be quite commendable. But if true, what is the purpose and where is the need to convert from four to five lugs? Other than to spend money that is. Your car, your money, your choice, but it's not one that I would make. Yea, there's not as much selection with the four lug wheels, but conversion is a lot of work and money to get a wheel you like a little better. But again, if it's worth it to you, do it. Maybe you have majorly expensive power upgrades planned for your six. I'm not aware of any conversion kits, but this isn't something that's been on my radar at all. Should be a lot of information out there though, many have done it. Maybe not so many here, but over at the vintage mustang forums a Mustang Six gets its guts ripped out every day.
 
There are adapters you can bolt on to convert to a 5 lug 4.5" wheel. That would be the cheapest way. Here is an example. http://www.ezaccessory.com/Wheel_Ad...pfED7P4KPDAEO4mxum8dE2skOCfOU6bcaAthhEALw_wcB

Having said that, I plan on converting mine over from this to a 5-lug front-end and disk brakes and 8" rear end in preparation for when I completely rebuild my 200 and add an aluminum head and other goodies.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Wheel+Adapter+4x4.5+to+5x4.5&i=automotive&ref=nb_sb_noss
 
Last edited:
I'm planning on a 4 wheel disk/5 lug swap on mine. Going to use Wilwood stuff and drill to 5 lug.




I'll add that my motivation here is better brakes and more wheel choices. Not big/wide wheels. But the thought of upgrading to a V8 dropped spindle to get back some bump travel is appealing. :unsure:
 
Last edited:
Not usally a big fan of using wheel adapters on a higher performance build. The 5 lug swap is easy enough to do with all the available stock Ford and aftermarket parts though might not be inexpensive job to do unless you hunt up mostly used parts which is fine for most all except the wearable ones. All you need are all the 1965 or 1966 V8 Mustang front suspention parts if in your 5 Lug swap you also looking for better handling and braking then it's a great way to go. Note these same parts will also swap onto the 1964 & 1965 Falcons and Comets, with one part exception being the need to use the 1965 Falcon V8 tie Rod center link instead of the Mustang which is to long.

1965 or 1966 Mustang V8 Parts to swap from 4 to 5 Lug

Stock V8 Mustang 1965 or 1966 Drum or Disk Brake Spindles or you can also use the aftermarket Granada disk brake swap Spindles that are the proper steering geometry and designed for use the 1965 & 1966 Mustangs.
Stock V8 Mustang 5 Lug Drum Brakes, Disk Brakes, or Granada disk brake parts if using aftermarket swap spindles.
Stock V8 1965 or 1966 Mustang Tie Rod Center Link
Stock V8 1965 or 1966 Mustang Inner Tie Rod Ends
Set of Mustang Steve's Tie Rod End Bushings or switch to the stock V8 1965 or 1966 Mustang Outer Tie Rod Ends
Stock V8 1965 or 1966 Mustang Idler Arm and its Mounting Bracket
Stock V8 1965 or 1966 Mustang Steering Pitmen Arm

Stock V8 1965 or 1966 Mustang 8 Inch Rear Axle it's a bolt in swap or you can have a new 8 or 9 inch axle built to fit.

Best of luck on your swap plans these posts will be moved in a day or two over into the suspention forum were it should have been posted.
 
The six spindles are to weak for wider tires and performance driving...Some people will say, but I have had no problems...I can say that I learned how to replace the front fender and repaint pretty fast after snapping them twice...First time I thought that it was a fluke...The look on the on coming drivers face was priceless when the G60 was rolling toward them.
 
"...what is the purpose..."
many come to us w/the answ to a problem already embedded in the Q. "How can I put in an ele fan?" when the i6 bronk never hada shroud oe. After several pages of explication, tries, $, time, frustration and no solution - we find "no shroud" an easy solution froma bent 8 bronk or nother ford. Problem solved.
I'm w/6: what do U need from the vehicle it duz not supply now? Adapters move the unsprung weight 'out' creating stress (wear on wheel bearings too), tires can rub fenders, etc. Lets start @ home plate, not 1st base...? or not...
 
bubba nailed it!

If you are doing discs in the front get the CSRP kit. It comes with spindles saving you the time to source them.
He has different kits. I sourced all my items seperately and bought his kit with the discs and spindles. But he also has a 4 lug upgrade kit which includes everything.

My upgrade included the CSRP dics kit.
V8 inner & outer tie rods
V8 drag link
V8 pitman arm
Opentracker Roller Idler Arm
Global West Billet Adjusting Sleeves

This is just the steering. If you want to get into suspension there are many many options depending on your goal.

As for the rear I found a 8" from a guy who was swapping it out. Then I bought a Trak-Loc on eBay from TJ who just builds these center sections. Also went to discs in the rear from Street or Track (SoT).

You can also use an Explorer 8.8 rear which already includes discs. But, it is a little more work.
 
Last edited:
AutoCity classics.com has a kit to convert to 5 lug. It uses your current spindles.


Others have also opted for a Ford 8.8 inch out of an explorer but it needs to be narrowed on one side. But you get posi, and disk brakes.
 
I don't know if they're in ill odor or what, but there's always Scarebird. I have a set for the falcon I haven't gotten to yet, so I can't personally comment on them, but others have.


I know the wheel options for 5 lug are generally better than 4, but i like slots so I'm staying with the 4 lug.
 
the trick (for us) in all these expensive kits is to simply C what oem components they use to build them. I come here cuz I don't like kits, want the info, like to source myself (pick quality) and also do any modin (clearencing, etc). Altho still "bolt-ons" it seems way more like fabrication to me, the art of this craft anyway. Thats Y I liked the scarebird, folks shared what its composed from...

The begining of this effort (after assessment its needed) is a list like the above (two). If upping the power I'd go w/the 8.8 rear for my 5 lug conversion (alu head + turbo) for instance. On-line forums: inside info shared (& hopefully no 1 saying "U can't do that" or "Ur a fool."). We get enuff that in the streets or garage.
 
Last edited:
What is the best way to go about converting a 1966 Ford Mustang with a 200 Ci stock ( that I will be keeping ) from a 4 Lug into a 5 lug tire ? Is there any kits ? Do y’all have tips and Tricks before I go down this path?

-EMP 1966 Ford Mustang Straight 6
Their are a lot of wheels available for the 4 lug cars my 67 vert has 16 x7 wheels also a disc conversion on the front. Although the 67 spindles are the same for 4& 5 lugs I'm not sure the 64,5/ 66 's are. Have a look at my car the money pit in some eye candy on this site or on the vintage mustang forum. Just know it a deep hole when you jump off in that 6 cyl hole but I love mine. Don't let any nay sayers discourage you from what you plan for your car ( I know I don't),make it yours.
 
'n I believe just the opposite - up-grade only as need.
Form (fashion, taste, etc) follows application.
Nother name for use, end goal, purpose ~
 
Back
Top