Can I use a grade 8 1/2"x 2"long fine thread bolt in my Tom's axels for wheel studs? If not, whats the difference between aftermarket screw in wheel studs and grade 8 bolts? Thanks guys!

As long as the studs are grade 8 I see no problem, I would like to know why bolts are used instead of studs,my new Moser axles came with grade 8 bolts also.

I would go with ARP's and not hardware store stuff.

Buy the ARP's. I wouldnt use hardware store bolts.

My axles from Moser came w/ 1/2" screw in Bolts. No alum. sleeves or anything

we're talking about two different things here. "Screw in" studs are just bolts that are fully threaded. However studs that screw in from the front are known as "Drive studs" and are backed up by a nut in back of the flange.

How hard is it to convert the stock stuff (are they pressed in? I know they're smaller in diameter) to a 1/2" ARP stud on stock axles?

You really need to have a good Machine Shop drill the bolt pattern out and thread them correctly so they are all lined up fine, imho..

I had Mosers do all of my stuff when I decided to run Pony-car Bullitts and my pdqCBB setup front and rear!!

Not all that costly and now I have the Ford bolt pattern AND 1/2" studs and althread grade-8 bolts from them..

pdq67