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Wed Apr 07, 2004 6:15 am

Does anyone sell 5 lug brake drums for an IRS? I'm putting a link pin on the front of my '74 tunnel and want to use 5 lug rims on all 4 wheels. Do I need to do anything to the axles to fit stock 5 lug drums on? What's the best option???

Wed Apr 07, 2004 8:36 am

This subject has been covered many times, but here goes.
On the rear you can use VW thing drums or T-3's.
On the front, you cannot switch beams on the tunnel, If your tunnel is a ball joint, the king pin beam spacing is much narrower. If you have to have the 5-lug look, use the BJ beam with 66-67 front drums with the appropriate bearings.

Wed Apr 07, 2004 9:52 am

He is already switching the frame head to use the kingpin front axle.

Wed Apr 07, 2004 10:28 am

I'm not going for the "5 lug look". I want to use my Baja for it's intended purpose, not for a street queen. I want the extra strength of the link pin, so I'm ripping the framehead off and doing a conversion. I'll use stock 5 lugs for the front, just needed to know about the back. I've seen similar topics before, just none that fit my need.

Will I have to machine the drums from the Type 3 or Thing? How much?

Wed Apr 07, 2004 10:43 am

thing drums are a straight bolt on. t-3 drums need to be used with t3 backing plates and whatnot - not sure about machining.

does anyone know a cheap place to get 181 drums?

Wed Apr 07, 2004 10:44 am

there was a thread in the beetle forum recently about using early bus drums

Wed Apr 07, 2004 1:23 pm

HUMONGO wrote: I'm not going for the "5 lug look". I want to use my Baja for it's intended purpose, not for a street queen. I want the extra strength of the link pin, so I'm ripping the framehead off and doing a conversion. I'll use stock 5 lugs for the front, just needed to know about the back. I've seen similar topics before, just none that fit my need.

Will I have to machine the drums from the Type 3 or Thing? How much?

no machining to the Thing drums to fit, and I belive that nothning is needed to be done to the t-3 (when used along with the T-3 backing plates). Both are a good choice, the thing drums are huge and wider than a stocker and the T-3 setup will give you a better braking! You can use stock ealy ones but its a crappy setup (belive me I know).

Hey did you know that the BJ beam is actually stronger than the link pin in stock forum? That's just a fun little fact for ya!:)

Brad, I got my used set from a local guy fairly cheap (but not turnable again). Things Unlimited used to sell them in different used/new variations ranging from like $25 to $75 if that helps any.

Wed Apr 07, 2004 1:26 pm

If I use the drums from a Thing, do I need to do anything else to the brakes? Mainly, can I use stock shoes and hardware???

Wed Apr 07, 2004 7:13 pm

HeidelbergJohn4.0 wrote: He is already switching the frame head to use the kingpin front axle.

Didn't see that mentioned John

Here is a pic of some thing drums. Direct bolt on, heavy too. 18# each.

http://www.pfer10.com/gallery/Misc/thing1
http://www.pfer10.com/gallery/Misc/thing2

Wed Apr 07, 2004 7:38 pm

HUMONGO wrote: If I use the drums from a Thing, do I need to do anything else to the brakes? Mainly, can I use stock shoes and hardware???

no change needed other than the drums themselves.

mdetro4660@aol.com wrote: Brad, I got my used set from a local guy fairly cheap (but not turnable again). Things Unlimited used to sell them in different used/new variations ranging from like $25 to $75 if that helps any.

great. i'll give them and german motor works? a call in the morning. hopefully i can find a decent deal

Wed Apr 07, 2004 10:55 pm

I was reading this thread and figured Id throw this out there.

I have a complete set, front and rear of Thing drum brakes, drums, backing plates, shoes, all of it. Im in Anaheim, CA, I could ship if necessary via UPS. Email me if you are interested in them. Sorry for the self promo here. But, it sounds like someone is looking for them, and Im looking to get rid of them.

$75 rear setup
$25 front setup

or if that dont make you happy, make me an offer.
Matt

Wed Apr 07, 2004 11:04 pm

matt, i e-mailed you about the rears...

Thu Apr 08, 2004 5:38 am

BTW; Mattt is a top notch guy to deal with for parts!