With 13" tires getting harder to find, I'm considering doing a 5 lug swap on my 78 Sedan and bumping up to some 14 or 15 inch slotted wheels with a similar appearance to the stock Pinto "mags".
My question is, do I upgrade the front discs to 5 lug and pull granada axles for my 8" axle (have them shortened a bit as well), or do I leave it all 4 lug and attempt to continue looking for 13" tires for the original steel style wheel?
Dave,
If it were me, I'd keep looking.
Dwayne :smile:
Dave, I have no problem finding 13". There is still a lot of cars out there that use 13's. I would not change too costly. Fred :)
Same here. Discount/America's Tire Co. has 13s in stock- even the 155/75R13s I have! ;D
I wouldn't change if I didn't have to. If you had to change, 4 lug wheels are available in 14" and 15" so you wouldn't have to do a 4 lug to 5 lug conversion.
Robert's right I have them all up through 16". Fred :)
The 80's Mustangs and T-Birds all had 14 and 15 inch wheels. Just about any 4x4-1/4" wheel should work. The cost would be considerable to go 5 lug considering there are viable options.
Tom
I am still planning on a 5 lug conversion down the road. As I plan to convert the rear to disc brakes (easier now that I have an 8" axle), since a V8 swap is in my 78 Pinto's future.
I was looking at the ansen sprints that Jippah just got. I have had my eye on those for a long time, since I started driving the car really. I could just never remember who made them!
I have read that the ansen sprints are 15" wheels. What size tires should I use with 15" wheels so that they do not rub against the fender or the inner fender liner?
EDIT: Thinking about it, Wouldn't a 5 lug conversion be pretty easy? Arn't there 5 lug stock diameter rotors available for the 78 Pinto suspension? Also, 5 lug 8" axle shafts using a stock sized drum and backing plate should be pretty easy to locate, right?
Per 5 lug conversion - the fronts are easy, the rotors are readily avalable. I believe the challenge is the rear axles, as no aftermarket 5 lug sets to fit the Pinto setup are available anywhere.
Chris
how about 5 lug axle shafts from another 8" equiped car? Even if they are longer, having them shortened and resplined shouldn't be to much trouble.
I'm not sure how much material is in the stock 4 lug axle flange but it may be possible to redrill the axle and drum for a 5 lug. Stuff like that is done all the time to change bolt patterns for more choices on wheels. I had my 1970 Dodge Dart done. Changed from the factory 5X4 pattern to the 5X4.5 to use Ford wheels on the rear axle. Was cheaper than new axles.