4 lug to 5 lug

Hey,
i am new to this site. i recently recieved a 70 maverick from my parents for graduation. i am very mechanically inclined but have never tackled a project this big. i am replacing the original straight 6 with an 8 cylinder. i have some concerns if the car can handle the conversion. it now has 4 lugs but i was wondering the best way to convert it to 5 lug? Also, should i beef up the suspension?
thanks in advance!

 

you will need 5 lug spindles and a 5 lug 8 inch rear. The 4 lug stuff might work for a while but it will probaly brake if you put it under any real stress

 

what Jarred said



find you a 5 lug Mav/Comet for a donor car

 

All V8 & 6cylinder spindles and wheel bearings are the same.

The only difference is because of the drum size. 5 lugs go up to the 10" drum. So all you need are the 10" backing plates, drums, brakes, and brake cylinders.

Rear springs are the same, front are different for the V8, but I dont think its required you change them out for the V8, or at least I know a few who people here who havent.


Ben

 

there are basicly three different front coil springs....
200 springs
250 & 302 w/o a/c springs
and 302 w/ a/c springs

 

Look in the tech articles section for all the information you would ever need for changing over to disk brakes on the front, swapping the rear axle out, and the V8 conversion.

If there is anything you don't understand or aren't completely clear on, just make a post and ask. You will find a bunch of people on here have gone through the same thing and will try to help as best they can.

-Scott H.

 

I'd never done it before either. It was all pretty much remove and replace. I wqs fortunate enough to help (watch) the salvage yard guy pull the donor ones off so I had a pretty good idea what was involved

 

If it's a 70, could it not have the 7.5 rearend?
Finding a donor car is always the best route.

 

I could be wrong but I dont think the 7.5 came out till 79 or so.

 

Either way, some of the 70's came with something other than a 8".
Or..read this:
http://blogs.ebay.com/maverickconnection

 

Well, you're about 180 miles from me. If you can't find anything closer send me a pm. I'm in Grand Bay Alabama, about 20 miles west of Mobile. I should be able to fix you up with the parts you need. Let me know if I can help. I'm available most weekends.

 

Im going to say who ever posted that is wrong. The 7.5" wasnt even made until 1979

 

there was a diff that has been mistakenly refered to as a 7.5, but its a 7.25. it was used in the 60s and 70s. its a very weak diff and the only new parts avaiable for it are bearings. it has a rear cover with 8 bolts in it. i belive the only mavericks it was used in was some of the early 70 mavericks.

 

I doubt Chuck is wrong, he's been doing Maverick stuff for along time.....