Wife is sanding and painting the front as we replace EVERYTHING, so my attention turns to the rear. I have a 5 lug 8" that was included with the car in pieces laying next to the Mav. I pull the 4 lug axles out and low and behold they are APPROXIMATELY 1/4" larger in diameter than the 5 lugs. The 5 lug axles taper UP to the 28 splines, while the 4 lug axles taper DOWN to the 28 splines. Can someone enlighten me as to why this is the case. After looking at the little 5 lugs it makes me wonder if i should get aftermarket axles. Then i need gears and a spool (I've ran spools on the street for years so I am well aware of what it entails). Add in the rear discs and I might be in the ball park of a 9".
Not knowing what the hardness is of the steel used for each one, the thinner 5 lug might in fact be the stronger axle. Search out a thread on 4 lug vs 5 lug - there was some good postings on the differences with the bearing sizes.
If you are going to change from 4 to 5 lug rear end you will need a complete 5 lug rear end. You can't interchange parts to get a 5 lug.
