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Conversion from 4 lug to wide 5 question
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mikeyaz
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:23 am    Post subject: Conversion from 4 lug to wide 5 question Reply with quote

I have been looking into converting my current 4 lug set up on my 71 beetle to a wide 5 setup. I am looking to do so without incurring a great deal of expense.

First: I have been told that the front drums can be swapped directly with a 66-67 front ball joint drum and back plate. Is this correct?

Can the same be done with the rear? I know that the 66-67 used the swing axle, while I am riding on the IRS. I am assuming that these are not compatible and that my only other option would be an aftermarket disc brake conversion? Or is that incorrect.

I don't want to increase my track in front or back, which rules out the obvious cheap method of using adapter plates. Any advice would be awesome.

Thanks guys.
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itlives
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes to first question.
On the rears, you should locate some early model type 3 backing plates (wide-5).
It's a straight bolt on from there. I found the whole set-up in the local graveyard for $50. Of course, you'll probably want to replace cylinders on shoes.
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Glenn Premium Member
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is your car a Super or Standard?
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DrDarby
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You can install VW Thing drums too on all 4 corners.
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mikeyaz
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:43 pm    Post subject: Conversion from 4 lug to wide 5 question Reply with quote

I just ordered some drums that are wide 5, either type 3 or thing...not sure, but they told me that they will work with my current back plates. That right? My car is a 71 standard beetle; 4 lug.
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oibovveroi
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

better make sure!
because if you use the 67 drums you will need a spacer for the rears!
and you will have to run 67 shoes in the rear as well.
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itlives
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Go to www.cal-look.com
Go to the tech section and click on brake conversion.
You'll see why you can't use your backing plates. I used this article for my conversion -a 74 pan.
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atye
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

oibovveroi wrote:
better make sure!
because if you use the 67 drums you will need a spacer for the rears!
and you will have to run 67 shoes in the rear as well.



Anyone have a pic or description of this "spacer" ??
Is it a specific part, or something I could make?
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vw66
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Converting the brakes up front is nice and easy, but the rears posed a problem for me because (around here at least) good rear Thing or early T3 drums were nearly impossible to find anymore.
My VW mechanic has a time-tested method that he uses on all of his late-model cars. He uses an adaptor plate as a template for drilling the existing 4-bolt rear drums, then tapping in some studs. He only charged $45 per side and I've been perfectly happy with it.
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used2bedomestic
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
He uses an adaptor plate as a template for drilling the existing 4-bolt rear drums, then tapping in some studs.


Does drilling and tapping ruin the integrity or hardware inside the drum?
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rresa
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

VW 66,
How has that method held up for you? Did your mechanic custom drill the front drums too and if not, would that method hold up on the front do you think? I am very interested in this method because it is cost efficient. Also, I have a 70 bug (4 lug) with relatively new drums and want to convert to wide five and hopefully get as much out of these drums as possible.
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atye
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

used2bedomestic wrote:
Quote:
He uses an adaptor plate as a template for drilling the existing 4-bolt rear drums, then tapping in some studs.


Does drilling and tapping ruin the integrity or hardware inside the drum?


I'm interested to know about the integrity of this as well...
Tonight I'm putting a wide-5 disc brake kit on my IRS pan '63 and will (for now) have to run 4-wide5 adapters in the rear. I think drilling and pressing in studs might work, but would love to hear from someone who has done it before.
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vw66
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I haven't watched him do it, but I drive lots of miles (often 500 to 700 a week) and on really bad roads sometimes, like washboard, and they have held up great so far. I think he uses washers and welding for extra strength.
My mechanic, Larry, has done this for 30 years to his personal cars, about half of which have been bajas for hard pounding weekend fun, and claims he has never had a failure.
However, he recommends swapping drums in the front (I never pressed him as to why), and that it would still be cost effective since plain old '66-'67 drums will work.

P.S.: Larry also mentioned that it is best to do this drilling method on original German drums. He refuses to do it to the Brazilian ones because they are thinner.
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oibovveroi
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://secure.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=1385
spacers.
https://secure.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=455
drums.

hope this helps
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