Bolt Pattern Update

Shawn F. · Post by **Shawn F.** » December 10, 2007, 12:25 am

I remember asking this question a while back ago. Probably a year or so. But has anyone figured out a hub/disk brake that will fit a 66-76 or so spindle with a different bolt pattern such as 5X4.5 or 5X5?
I know someone on here said they heard about one that may work and was going to buy it and try it out and Email or PM me but they never did.
Any new information on this? I'd like to get some Coy Wheels for my 66 but he doesn't offer 5X5.5 wheel pattern.
www.coyswheel.com
I like the grey middle with polished lip (kind of like the orignal Torq Thrust II's). I have dropped DJM beams already and 76 spindles, disk brake setup but dont like the 5x5.5 pattern.
Thanks for any information!

turtle1056 · Post by **turtle1056** » December 10, 2007, 8:09 am

in 80 and 81 the F100 used the car pattern and the hub/rotor is still available through most parts stores

Shawn F. · Post by **Shawn F.** » December 10, 2007, 11:45 am

Will that fit onto a 76 spindle?

Truckfarmer · Post by **Truckfarmer** » December 10, 2007, 10:17 pm

Ford made the F100 (not F150) in 1980-83 with the 4 1/2" bolt pattern. If you compare parts needed for the 73-79 rotors and the 80-83 small pattern rotors, they use the same bearings and seals. I assume this means they will swap right in if the lengths are the same.

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » December 10, 2007, 10:28 pm

they made an F100 from 80-83??? hadn't they already implemented the F150 by then? Was that the original designation of the little Ranger?

I think it's really funny how Ford sometimes re-uses names on totally different lines... Like the OLDER Rangers were REAL trucks, like a little extra fancy, weren't they? then at some point the name got mushed a little to mean "little toy truck".

when did that switch occur anyway?

36truck · Post by **36truck** » December 10, 2007, 10:31 pm

Ford brought out the F150 in 1975 to beat the emissions that were called for in under 6000# gvw trucks. Ford kept the F100 into the 80's.

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » December 10, 2007, 10:34 pm

Really? that's weird.... Were the F150s heavier duty or anything, or were they just smog-trucks?

Shawn F. · Post by **Shawn F.** » December 10, 2007, 10:37 pm

I will look into this on Thursday then and if you are correct then I will buy them and re drill the rear end. That way I can get the wheels I want too.

36truck · Post by **36truck** » December 10, 2007, 10:40 pm

They were called heavy half's they had a bigger weight rating than a F100. F150's had 3" rear springs F100 had 2 1/2" springs from75 to 79. Then Ford changed a lot of things on the F100's.

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » December 10, 2007, 10:43 pm

AHH heavy half... I think I've mostly heard that term in reference to C#@^Ys... It still works though...

36truck · Post by **36truck** » December 10, 2007, 10:45 pm

Yes chebbie used that term Ford didn't.

Shawn F. · Post by **Shawn F.** » December 10, 2007, 10:46 pm

What can I do about the rear axles besides drilling them? Any idea?

36truck · Post by **36truck** » December 10, 2007, 10:49 pm

Use car axles you need to measure them and count splines.

Truckfarmer · Post by **Truckfarmer** » December 11, 2007, 11:03 am

In 1975 the federal government mandated unleaded fuel. Like anything new, especially forced down our throats, the buying public was leary of this new fuel. The unleaded was mandatory below a certain GVW. So the F150 trucks and E150 vans were offered at a higher weight capacity so you could still use leaded gas. That worked until 1979 when the feds upped the minimum GVW.
The 80-83 F100 was a light duty pickup that had 4 1/2" bolt pattern and even was offered with a V6. The V6 was not offered again until 1997.

The car axles you need will be 2 drriver's side axles and drums from a 1977-79 T-bird, 73-79 Cougar or Montego, 72-79 Torino, Ranchero, or LTD II. They are the right length and have 28 splines.

Shawn F. · Post by **Shawn F.** » December 11, 2007, 6:15 pm

Wow, thanks for all the information. I sure hope the front disks are going to work as I am sure you are correct and they will. As for the rear axles I will keep my eyes open for these. It would be nice to find some. How about my drums? Will I have to find new drums or buy them for the car I get them off of or what? I need new drums, shoes and hardware kit anyways and was even thinking of doing an EASY and cheap (if it's even possible since nothing is easy nor cheap) rear disk brake swap.
Idea's for the rear brakes if I do get those axles?

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » December 11, 2007, 6:39 pm

haha so the F150 was an attempt to get around the unleaded fuel mandate? haha wow. When did they stop producing leaded gas?

Well, it's funny, Aviation Gas is still running a small amount of lead... Thus the name 100LL. And lead up there seems worse than lead down here. Honestly I don't worry about it much. I think people are a bit too worried about stuff. Most of the restrictions and warnings seem appropriate though.