converting 6 lug d-44s to 5 lug....?!?

[spencurai]

I know you can run bronco spindles and hubs for the front end as long as you get the right spindle to knuckle bolt pattern...but how do you convert the rear axle to 5 on 5.5? re drill the axle shaft and drum?

 

[Hickey]

on the front, you don't need to change the knuckle, just use ford hubs on the stock waggy stuff. you will need some different bearings is all. Andy or Eric should have this stuuf in there brains. the rear, drill em.

 

[spencurai]

So drill the axle AND the drum?

 

[bobdog]

You don't use the Ford spindles just the Ford hub and rotors (F150, fullsize bronco, every year except for the wierd year or two mid eighties with the flanged lockout. Hendersons has them brand new for $35 or so, just ask for 79 and you are safe). Everything else including the spindles is chevy or FSJ. You do need to make sure you have the older small inner bearing spindle though. Fot the back you will need to have the shafts redrilled.

 

[Caleb]

Originally posted by spencurai
So drill the axle AND the drum?

yep...I had a 9" that was done like this but it was converted to 6 lug from 5 lug...

 

[spencurai]

is redrilling a DIY thing of should I play it safe and have a machinist do that....no room for error right!!

 

[Hickey]

yah, machinist. You may just want to buy new wheels though..

 

[BlackSheep]

why you wanna change if you have both axles already? is it to save you the cost of new wheels? I can understand that.

However, if you plan on going to beadlocks eventually, you might just think about keeping the 6 lug pattern, buy the new wheels, then get the DIY beadlocks sometime down the road.

that's my plan with my 44s. (both out of waggy's w/6lug pattern).

 

[spencurai]

well I have a set of 2" BS 15x8 rims that are on my zuk right now. I guess it is about the same to get the axles changed over as it would be to get new rims....

 

[WJL]

Discount tire for Black wagon wheels.
Better yet buy my HT II centerline wheels there 6 lug.

You can't do that it would almost triple the value of your Sami, and you and Al wheels, I do not picture that.
Spencer and shiney wheels

 

[sukaB]

Spence If you need the shafts and crap re-drilled bring it here we'll do it for you(cheap).
It's just like redrilling the scout's

 

[N-Smooth]

i was thinking of converting mine to 5 lug, but then i thought... why?

-nate

 

[spencurai]

I sold my rims and tires but I got another deal coming down the pipe for some tires and beadlocks that are 5 on 5.5.....so I still might have to convert over....I will keep this thread alive with updates...