Rear end swap and matching rims

[fairlane292]

Hi, I have a '68 Datsun roadster (1600 non-matching number) that I'll be doing a Mustang foxbody 5.0 swap with 8.8 rearend. The Datsun front hubs are 4x114.3mm bolt pattern and the Ford 8.8 is 4 x 108mm. Finding matching rims in these two bolt patterns is near impossible. Likely using 15x5.5 front and 15x7 rear.

I'm looking into one option of new axles (4x114.3) for the 8.8 when it is narrowed but the other option would be 4x108 hubs for the Datsun front. If anyone her has info on changing the Datsun front bolt pattern, I sure would appreciate your info and experience doing that. Thanks, Jim

[fairlane292]

I prefer to stay with 4 lug as the car needs to appear stock (exc for the dual exhaust).

[ADR]

You could always use wheel spacers that provide a common lug pattern. This will partly depend on your wheel fitment (offset / backspacing).

[fairlane292]

Possibly spacers on the Ford 8.8 to match the front 4x114.3. The 8.8 will be narrowed anyway so spacer (and offset won’t be an issue as it’s already part of the narrowed rear calculation.
I’ll take a look and see what there is in 108 to 114.3 spacers. Thanks, that possibly a solution.

[fairlane292]

So found the 108 to 114.3 adapters. Links to four diff ones below. Most I see are 1” thick. One here is 5/8” thick and one is 1 1/4” thick.
Since the rearend will be narrowed I could use any thickness. I like the idea of 5/8” thick but not sure if that’s giving anything up in strength. I’ll see what I can read about that.

Spacers
Barely 5/8 thick:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/404202129144?c ... A-EALw_wcB

1” thick:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/202017404816?c ... SBEALw_wcB

1” thick:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/162448222677?c ... 5rEALw_wcB

1 1/4” thickness:

https://www.amazon.com/Billet-Wheel-Ada ... B008K9VX7C

[fairlane292]

Just seems like a 1” spacer design would be stronger than a bit less than 5/8” spacer; all else being equal. Anyone have thoughts on that aspect?

[spriso]

Don't do adapters. Just have the axle narrowed to the proper width and the flanges re-drilled to the correct 4 4x4.5 bolt pattern.

[fairlane292]

Thanks. I do have that question out to a local shop that specializes in narrowing rearends. I haven’t heard back yet.

[fairlane292]

Don't do adapters. Just have the axle narrowed to the proper width and the flanges re-drilled to the correct 4 4x4.5 bolt pattern.

Then the issue becomes brakes (Mustang, 4 lug drums thru 1993; 5 lug and disc thereafter); I prefer not to use spacers but with them the flanges and brakes just remain original at 4x108. I’m open to straight forward brake mod ideas if you have something in mind. Thanks, Jim

[spl310]

The rotors can be drilled to work as well

[fairlane292]

Yes (rotors or in my case drums) can be drilled but it’s not a DIY mod; would need to be prof machined. If a rotor or drum needs to be replaced it’s back to the machine shop. I’ve never been a fan of wheel adapters but the ones below are different and I would be comfortable with them as they are custom made to include axle flange bore and bore lip specific to the wheel. (Custom machined in TX).
With the 1” adapter I can just go 0 offset (rears only) vs approx OEM 25 and the rim will be located in essentially the same lateral position.

Here’s the link to USWHEELADAPTERS
https://www.uswheeladapters.com/

Thanks for your input. I don’t disagree that drilling the flanges and brakes is quite doable but this is such a simple way to change 4x108 to 4x114.3 with hub centric fitment throughout and the adapter 1” is just part of the measuring/calculation that needs to be done anyway.

[fairlane292]

Meant 40 not 0. “ With the 1” adapter I can just go 40 offset”