I did a search on this and everyone had a different opinion on whether or not this works. Does anyone know for sure whether you can swap 4 lug and 5 lug axles on 8" rears? And does anyone know how to identify a 7.25" rear end? Thanks in advance. -Neil
#1: Pretty sure the bearings and brake housing are different on the 5 lug. #2: 7.5 inch is integral ... you can't pull the pumpkin out like an 8 or 9 inch
NO the 5 lug axles use a larger bearing that won`t fit into the axle tubes on a 4 lug housing. Been there done that.
Now I'm confused because I thought they would swap as long as the 5 lug donor car had the smaller bearings . What about an older ford 8" like from a 67-68 Mustang or Cougar? They had a smaller bearing and had 5 lugs. What is the bearing size in the 4 lug Maverick? I will go out to the shop and measure the 68 Mustang 5 lugs that are out there and compare sizes.
Are the mustang axles the correct length? I wouldn`t think so. I have a `71 Grabber 6 cyl. 4 lug car . I tried to put the axles from a `72 5 lug Maverick into the 4 lug housing ,and thats when I found out the differences. I wonder if you are maybe thinking of the two different size bearings that were used on the 9 inch housing?
9" - ah yes - that might be what I'm thinking about for the bearings. Anyway - if somebody has the Maverick axle and bearing sizes for the 5 lug 8", I will go out and compare it to the Mustang axles. I know you can put the whole Mustang 8" complete rear ends into the Mav, but it is a couple inches wider.
I'm glad this came up. I will be doing the swap as well. I really had the same questions in mind. Thanks for clarification. Preston
Sizes anyone? Does anybody have the bearing diameter and axle lengths for both the 4 lug and 5 lug? I would like to check the 67 Mustang / Cougar ones I have for comparison.
