Brake conversion kit for 1969 Type 2 Bus?

[PHOTOBUS]

Has anyone done a brake conversion kit on a type 2 69 bus? If so where did you get your kit from, how difficult was it and what did it run you?

Thanks for the help.

[aeromech]

Tom Powell put disc brakes on the front of his 1969 bus. Send him a PM

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=59242
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VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
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[rockerarm]

Hi.
Would like to ask why are you looking for a kit? Are you looking to improve from the original drum set-up? Is there a problem with the current brake system? Not to dissuade you but a brake system is engineered to perform a job for each application. There are probably 4-5 levels of improvement/upgrade and I'm sure each has their advantages/disadvantages.
Bill.

[PHOTOBUS]

@rockerarm I am looking to improve the performance and ease of using my current brakes. As you know they are a little tough on the quads. I'm also open to upgrades that aren't full conversion.

[Tom Powell]

[rockerarm]

Hi.
Aeromech, on two occasions, I believe, added the power brake booster to the '68-'70 Bay Bus beam. Basically, a plate is fab'd and welded to the front beam. Then the '71 and later bus master cyl and booster are installed to include possible pedal linkage parts and hose routing for the brake fluid reservoir. I would guess one could source the parts/etc for approx. $500.
You would have to access the intake manifold for a vacuum source and plumb towards the booster.

I have used a brake shop down in the LA harbor area that supports the truck/industrial industry and had VW brake shoes re-lined with a bit more aggressive lining. A set of these linings are approx. $50/axle.

The advantage is both are totally reversible and you retain the original wheels/tires/etc.

Hope this helps, Bill.

[deronmoped]

I did my 1970 Bus.

I went to the junk yard, took everything I needed off a 71 (discs, calipers, brake booster, proportioning valve, spindles, master cylinder, hardware...) I even got the rear brakes too. This had to be like almost ten years ago, I'm pretty sure it was $250.00 for the whole lot. Everything is bolt on except the brake booster/master cylinder and proportioning valve.

The brake booster makes for a little softer pedal. I always felt that the drum brakes were too much effort and did not slow the Bus down enough, coming to a stop at the bottom of a hill.

[rockerarm]

Yes, approx. 15 years ago I came across a pair of late bay's ('76 or '77) that still hadn't been ravaged of its cool brakes/suspension.
Went home to gather needed tools and cash but when I arrived a pair of latin fellows from the Tijuana/Ensenada area were disassembling it all. Seems it was easier and more efficient to do this then to repair their busted up bus' south of the border.
Bill

[aeromech]

[VWsArent4Hippies]

What wheels are you running? Just note that not all bolt on kits will work with stock 14" wheels. If you're keeping stock wheels, CSP (from CIP1) brakes are very very nice. Another nice option would be the Babystangs from Wagens West. Good thing about these kits is replacement pads, etc are all readily available from your local parts store. If you're changing to 15", Wagens West offers a few more upgraded versions, as does Old Speed, Saco, etc. If keeping a stock configuration (wheels, suspension, etc), make sure you ask whichever vendor you decide on about offset changes, as some do increase track width.
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