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mikeyaz Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2007 Posts: 22 Location: Hanford, California
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:23 am Post subject: Conversion from 4 lug to wide 5 question |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2005 Posts: 1424 Location: Shreveport La
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:01 am Post subject: |
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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 Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76938 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:23 am Post subject: |
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Is your car a Super or Standard? _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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DrDarby Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2004 Posts: 6534 Location: Northern Illinois
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:50 am Post subject: |
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You can install VW Thing drums too on all 4 corners. _________________ Midwest Autosavers, Inc. Woodstock, IL |
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mikeyaz Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2007 Posts: 22 Location: Hanford, California
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:43 pm Post subject: Conversion from 4 lug to wide 5 question |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2006 Posts: 744
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2005 Posts: 1424 Location: Shreveport La
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Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:46 am Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2004 Posts: 580 Location: Peachtree City, GA
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Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:08 am Post subject: |
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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? _________________ Alex
1990 Audi 90q 20v sedan
1998 Suzuki Sport Sidekick
2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
2005 Subaru Legacy GT wagon 5spd Turbo AWD |
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vw66 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004 Posts: 224
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Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Nice Hummer! Sorry about your penis. |
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used2bedomestic Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007 Posts: 37
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Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2005 Posts: 87
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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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 Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2004 Posts: 580 Location: Peachtree City, GA
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Alex
1990 Audi 90q 20v sedan
1998 Suzuki Sport Sidekick
2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
2005 Subaru Legacy GT wagon 5spd Turbo AWD |
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vw66 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004 Posts: 224
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Nice Hummer! Sorry about your penis. |
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oibovveroi Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2006 Posts: 744
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