I have done some reading and haven't found the solution for my problem, hoping you guys can be of assistance, here is my delima:

1988 Ford ranger lonbox, building as a drag truck, installed ford 9" from older bronco (1974 bronco I think) with 5x5.5 bolt pattern, have a full set of Explorer rims and a set of weld race rims with same bolt pattern, rear end was custom narrowed for rims I have, don't want two different bolt patterns front and rear so I want to convert front hubs to accept 5x5.5 wheels without using spacers, CAN IT BE DONE AND IF SO HOW?

I am not really interested in changing rear to 4.5 because I already have my custom length axles installed and they are 5.5. Also as stated I already have two sets of rims with 5.5 pattern on them.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

Wirelessly posted

You'll need adapters which are spacers

 

Dana 44 knuckles. Then you get half ton brakes and wheel bearings too. I think theres a write up about it at therangerstation. Theres the link.

http://www.therangerstation.com/Maga...nuckleswap.htm

 

That is for a 4WD system mine is 2WD but it has given me some ideas.

 

Yeah I thought about spacers but since I lowered the front 3" it just won't work, puts sidewall of tire into fender lip. Also thought of just getting std ranger rotors re-drilled to 5x5.5 and new studs installed, not sure if this would compromise strength of rotor mating surface to rim. My aim is to get something like the F series truck rotor to mount onto the ranger I beams if that is at all possible.

 

Wirelessly posted

See if you can mod a 2wd 150 spindle

 

You could use 2wd spindles or use 4wd ones without the axleshaft.

 

That is what I was thinking, just wanted to see if anyone else had tried it, no sense in reinventing the wheel so to speak. Another option I was thinking about is getting bearings that would allow the F series rotor to fit on the ranger spindle, I will pick up some parts at the salvage yard to experiment with and post back with what I decide to do. Still any suggestions are welcome, thanks for the replies.

 

pretty sure it wouldn't be a simple bearing swap...the f150 bearings are set wider apart

 

Yeah I suspected that it would be wider, got a few spindles from the salvage yard off an F150, got to clean them up and see what I can do if anything to make them work, will post back once I figure something out, all ideas are appreciated, thanks. Might just have to go with adapters and narrower wheels in the front, might be cheaper and safer in the long run.

 

how are your fabrication skills? making a set of tubular i beams that accept the f150 spindles wouldn't be too bad