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Wed Dec 04, 2002 2:30 pm

My wife has a nice little 68' bug and I've got a set of empi five spokes that I'd like to put on for her. It looks like I can just change out the front drums to a five lug 66-67 ones because the wheel cylinders and pads are the same.
In the back I figure I'll have to run 58-67 rear drums, 65-67 rear shoes and wheel cylinders and then matching backing plates.
Seems easy enough as I've got all the drums etc. laying around.
Is there anything I'm overlooking???
And no, I refuse to use adapters!
Thanks

Wed Dec 04, 2002 10:44 pm

I went thru this process once like 20 years ago. As I recall it's a problem to just use earlier year drums/shoes/cylinders as they don't match with the different axles that began in '68. I ended up having 4 lug for the rear tires and 5 lug for the fronts after I put a '68 tranny in my '65. Had to carry two spare tires as well.

good luck

Thu Dec 19, 2002 10:49 pm

Scud,

You are corect on the front as I recently installed 67 units on a 70. I was told that Type III rear drum setups are what works with minor milling from the nose of the drum (same spline) however I am not positive quite yet. I will be trying this swap right after X-Mas

Thu Dec 19, 2002 11:12 pm

The question is do you have short spline/long axels, or long spline/long axel. Either way you can use 67 rear drums, backing plates, shoes and hardware. The difference is if you have short spline/long axel you will have to cut off the cone on the drum about 3/4 of an inch. This is not such a stainge conversoin. Im supprized you havent go more response from this thread.

Fri Dec 20, 2002 3:37 am

I have done this conversion a few times, The best way to do it is to use "thing" drums (Type181)1973-1974. They will fit perfectly on all I.R.S transmission 68 and up four lug bugs, Take off old drums and put on the 181 thing drums.no spacers,machining, backing plate or pad changes involved.

Fri Dec 20, 2002 8:27 am

68 is swing axle.

Fri Dec 20, 2002 3:48 pm

Funny, My 1968 bug is I.R.S.....

Sat Dec 21, 2002 2:01 am

More than likely its a 69 then. Check you numbers not your registration.

Sat Dec 28, 2002 7:42 am

Hiya Guys, In '68 the autosticks were irs. His car may have been converted(good idea). The '69 were all irs. You can use '66/67 front drums and the thing drums in back for 5-lug. Good luck, Ol' John

Sat Dec 28, 2002 1:57 pm

1. You can use Type 3 5 lug brakes (everything. I can 100% guarantee this works and is actually an upgrade since they are larger than bus brakes. I think this is the best way but not cheep. You can use 4 lug T3
2. You can use early bus drums, the small nut which is the same size as a bug. You will have to have the outer lip cut down and put a spacer between the drum and bearing spcer to clear your backing plates. I have done this also myself and can verify it works.
3. The easiest way is to change the trans with an earlier one. 67 will still have the wide track earlier will have a smaller width.

Sat Dec 28, 2002 1:59 pm

There are many more ways but the thread can just get too long.
I was going to say about the T-3 brakes, you can use t-3 4 lug brakes from a junk yard. Then get drums from Bill and Steves or whomever. Good luck

Sat Dec 28, 2002 6:56 pm

Just so I under stand

"ianvilleza@aol.com said... (12/20/2002 at 2:37AM PST)

I have done this conversion a few times, The best way to do it is to use "thing" drums (Type181)1973-1974. They will fit perfectly on all I.R.S transmission 68 and up four lug bugs, Take off old drums and put on the 181 thing drums.no spacers,machining, backing plate or pad changes involved"

If I use thing drums on my IRS, I will have 5 lug, but not the bigger T3 brakes...And the thing drums bolt on using the stock early weenie brakes..Considering how much the distributors want for the wide5 conversion drum.this might be the way to go...