Process theory 4-lug to 5-lug
 

What is the process needed to change from either 4-lug on my '82 to a 5 lug, or from 4 x 100 (if that is the bolt pattern) to something else. The reason I ask is because I have removed the front rotors and have the rear drums off....how much more work is involved, and how much money?

To do a bolt pattern "conversion" without using parts from a different car, you have to have the rear axles/drums machined with the new bolt pattern and the front rotors machined in the same way. This is not ideal for the front, if you ever have to replace a rotor, you will have to have a new rotor machined for your bolt pattern. I'm not even sure the front rotors have enough material on them to machine a new bolt pattern in. Keep in mind that machine work is expensive.

Option two is buy a set of 25mm wheel spacers that convert the stock 4x110mm to either 4x100 or 4x114.3. There is a company that sells them. www.adaptitusa.com and they are a decent price. These are probably your best bet and you can use the very easy to find front wheel drive offsets for wheels. This would be the most cost effective and I think they may even do bolt patterns not listed.

Option three is to convert to the 84-85 GSL-SE suspension. This involves buying a rear axle and front struts from a GSL-SE. There might be more that you need as well, but I won't cover that here. There is a thread in the archives I believe and a short search should find it. This will convert your car to a 4x114.3 pattern and you will be able to use rear wheel drive offset wheels. Depending how much you end up spending on the -SE parts, this could be the 2nd most expensive method.

Option four is to buy the ReSpeed big brake conversion for the front and ReSpeed Moser rear axles and convert to the 2nd gen TII hubs and brakes up front, and have the Moser axles in the rear to convert to 5x114.3, a very common bolt pattern and widely available for RWD. With the rear axles, I think there is even a big brake kit to fit them now from ReSpeed. This is likely the most expensive but gives you much better brakes and a very wide variety of wheels.

Just buy a second gen to get all your fancy wheel types ;) of course, I'm only kidding... Haha

Everything you need:

www.re-speed.com

Has anyone used these? They are intriguing, but seem to me to be far too thick to use on a 1st gen at 2".

i'm going to be picking up some here shortly, need to get the rear to the same bolt pattern as the front