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8.8 swap - wheel advice?

turbochimp

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2011
I'm torn on which way to go with wheel selection so I'm looking for some experienced advice on a good way to go for wheels on my 242. Its ls swapped and I'm about to 8.8 swap the rear end. Car currently has 17" rwd peg repops which seem ok for the car - I have em but not married to them. I also want to do the s60r brake swap eventually - my understanding is the these pegs will require spacers for this to work :e-shrug:

I see my options as:
-drill ford rears for 5x108 and run pegs maybe with spacers
-drill fronts for ford wheels 5x114.5

What do you guys recommend for the best way to go? I really don't want to buy all new wheels but maybe the ford pattern will give me more options down the road? Are the any common 17" ford wheels that will suit the car without spacers?

Thanks!
 
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I'm in this same exact situation. I hadn't made it around to the rear axle swap yet, so I haven't made a decision.

I can't find the numbers I had written down but it seems like the narrowed 8.8 (short-side axles on both sides) is just a little bit narrower than the 240 axles is when it has two 32mm spacer/adapters on it (as mine does now).

So close that I was pondering just using a couple of spacers and having the rear hubs drilled so I can keep the pattern at 4.25". And continue using the FWD offset wheels I'm already have.
 
I'm in this same exact situation. I hadn't made it around to the rear axle swap yet, so I haven't made a decision.

I can't find the numbers I had written down but it seems like the narrowed 8.8 (short-side axles on both sides) is just a little bit narrower than the 240 axles is when it has two 32mm spacer/adapters on it (as mine does now).

So close that I was pondering just using a couple of spacers and having the rear hubs drilled so I can keep the pattern at 4.25". And continue using the FWD offset wheels I'm already have.


Look hard John..I don't know if there's enough meat in the OD of the hubs especially with weird-ass Volvo studs bug dumb knurl dia..
Might be worth doing a scale drawing to see..
I did the 4.25 to 4.5 thing for a guy with an Xratty--yeah yeah different car but there's a principle that OEMs don't like giving away pointless metal so why put more on OD than whatever calculations they use says to---and I had to make an "OD extender"...like a spacer but overhanging the edge and zapped in place>>

And I made the studs so the shank was 14mm--same as the threaded bit. M14x1.5 so we could use nuts with 19mm hex.
 
I'm in this same exact situation. I hadn't made it around to the rear axle swap yet, so I haven't made a decision.

I can't find the numbers I had written down but it seems like the narrowed 8.8 (short-side axles on both sides) is just a little bit narrower than the 240 axles is when it has two 32mm spacer/adapters on it (as mine does now).

So close that I was pondering just using a couple of spacers and having the rear hubs drilled so I can keep the pattern at 4.25". And continue using the FWD offset wheels I'm already have.

Some custom thick spacers [to the flushiness of your choosing] in 4.5 to 4.25 is the short way home, as long as you're running the high offset WWD wheels anyway.
 
The front hubs can easily be drilled to 5x4.5, you just have to choose a knurl diameter that works. I use the ARP metric GM studs. Drill with the appropriate fractional inch bit and they press right in. Easy peasy if you have a mill and a DRO or a rotary table.
Ben even offers this service: https://www.bneshop.com/collections/240/products/240-redrilled-front-hubs

To make the rotors fit, you can have them drilled, or just take a die grinder to the holes and make them an oval.
The Ford pattern means here are a BUNCH of wheels that can work. Getting away from 5x108 makes a lot of sense unless you?re heavily invested in wheels, or a certain look.
 
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Some custom thick spacers [to the flushiness of your choosing] in 4.5 to 4.25 is the short way home, as long as you're running the high offset WWD wheels anyway.

I don't think there's enough room in the back for adapters, just some spacers.

But since I'd be needing FWD offset wheels for the new rear width anyhow, easiest is probably just putting a pair of 4.25->4.5 adapters on the front.

The massive abundance of 4.5 wheels vs. the relative scarcity of 4.35 wheels is a very valid point. I just happen to have a set that I like well enough, but I really shouldn't let the tail wag the dog here.
 
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To note, if this is a drag car you will want to keep the 15" option for the rear IMO. Preferably w/o spacers as some tracks may not allow them.
 
Holy revival but did you ever decide? I have an 8.8 in my 240 and I'm not sure what I want to do for wheels.
 
Just buy new axles in whatever pattern you want, it is a lot cheaper than a new set of wheels. All this redrilling and spacer nonsense is not needed.
Assuming you can install new axles yourself.
 
I *still* haven't put that Ford 8.8 in, but this /\ /\ /\ is the plan I've been going with. I have a set of adapters. I'm just waiting until the axle goes in so I can check for clearance and backspacing and get the fit right so I can squeeze as much tire in the rear fenders as possible (rolled fender lips).
 
Keep Ford pattern in rear and get adapters for the front wheels. You will have a lot more wheels to choose from.
 
So the 5x108 holes are then lightning holes or are they stress risers?

It just makes the hub lighter.
That being said, I've done both. Studs and spacers are slightly easier to deal with. Adapters are great if you want to run a few different lug patterns.
 
If you are going to run adapters, there is a huge amount of 5x108 wheels available, basically any style you want. Just use 5x108 to 5x108 on the front.
 
So, 32 years ago I put a 350 Chevy in my 1978 245. The motor made approx 300 HP.Drove for a year took it apart and built it to 370 HP specs, also made it a 2 door wagon. Beat the snot out of it for 200K miles with the stock Volvo rear[3.90] High 12's 1/4 mile Why go through all the work to switch the diff when the stock rear can handle 400+ HP.BTW the car has on now 325K miles and counting.
 
Because I have (maybe?) 500 hp now, and I'm going to get more as soon as I get more fuel and boost on the motor. And I'd like to get something a little wider and stickier on the rear wheels.
 
Went with 2017 mustang wheels and tires. Profile is a little high but they fit(235 55 17 currently which is three inches larger in diameter than stock but look like they wont rub and are mean looking). Will go with 215 45 17 in the front and 245 45 17 on the back(just .8 inches larger in diameter than stock hydra setups). I'm not going to do anything with the rears for now unless they rub as I have 4 brand new tires...paid 175 for the lot dealer takeoff wheels and tires. Ordered volvo centers already and proper lugs. These fit with no spacers at all on the 8.8 rear.

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