Disc Brakes on a Thing

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:21 pm

I have noticed a big interest in putting disc brakes on the Thing lately. I have converted a good number and have a few tips to share. I would like to start a discussion about the different ways to do this here. Post your ideas, dreams and questions and lets get a dialog going. K-mann

Post by **Leatherneck** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:41 pm

What kind of disks can be used on the thing. Is it a bolt on or a fab deal?

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:48 pm

I have a 181.. 73..

I'd be interested in using STOCK ghia parts.. keeping wide 5.

My guess is that a $150 ghia kit can be combined with something else.

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:53 am

A number of folks make disc brake conversion kits. To keep wide five requires a fairly pricey kit unless you are willing to use wheel adapters.

The low dollar way to put on disc brakes is to use ghia parts on the front. The rotor can be drilled as 4 x 130 (late type one pattern or 5 x 130 Porsche pattern. You can even get blank rotors and drill them ot any of the various patterns for a narrow bolt pattern. To use the ghia parts and retain the Thing spindle you will need a caliper mount. Some folks have swapped over to a Ghia spindle and that works but it drops your front end nearly 3 inches and reduces the strength of your front end. For the rear brakes the low dollar way is to use 944 Porsche disc brakes. These are a bolt on deal. Again, you will end up with a 5 x 130 bolt pattern unless you use wheel adapters.

There are a pair of new high quality rotors drilled for 5 x 130 that come with new bearings and seals on eBay # 290092601340 Current price 40 english pounds

alsehendo · Post by **alsehendo** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:41 am

pair of new high quality rotors drilled for 5 x 130

cip1.com has them.
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... 2D2963%2DB

Here is their blank one.
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... 075%2D113N

Thanks to Kmans advise I am doing both front and back!

Here is an artical besides Kmans
http://veewiki.com/K-mann_4_wheel_brake_conversion
http://www.vdubengineering.com/technica ... rsions.htm

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:55 am

Great idea alsehendo. You will love the feel of the 4 whel disc set up.

Be careful buying from CIP1 They sell some poor quality stuffa dnhave other issue that have made me not use them as a parts uspplier any more.

The other link to 944 brake conversion information is a very good site. Loaded with tons of good info and tips.

CheekyMonkey · Post by **CheekyMonkey** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:59 am

Kubelmann wrote: To use the ghia parts and retain the Thing spindle you will need a caliper mount. Some folks have swapped over to a Ghia spindle and that works but it drops your front end nearly 3 inches and

there is a mount available off the shelf in the UK that I used recently for this

made by Tarox

http://www.streetstyleandpower.com/publ ... adPage/106 under "Billet Adaptor Brackets"

retains the full height, and is bolt on

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:20 am

That is a cool web site. They c\sure have a nice selection of brake conversion parts and kits. I also have the front caliper mounts available.