Bug front disk brakes onto Thing beam ?

CheekyMonkey · Post by **CheekyMonkey** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 11:01 pm

Hi, I'm in the UK and building a buggy using a complete front beam from a 181 / trekker / Thing (I take it these are all just different terms for the same thing ?) to get some extra lift

I have the front beam complete, and also a spare set of spindles

I would like to fit disk brakes to it. I have access to both a 67 1500 bug set up, which needs major overhaul, and a new bug front disc conversion kit. Both 4 lug (which is what I'm after I think)

Has anyone fitted bug disk brakes to a Thing ?

Is it an easy conversion ?

It looks to me like they're basically the same (but for the lift and the balljoints from same direction) and that so long as I can fabricate a suitable caliper mount it should be fairly straightforward......

but then I always think stuff looks easy

Any suggestions, tips etc gratefully received

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 1:45 am

Converting to disks you loose the lift.

Why not just cut&turn the bug beam?

T.

CheekyMonkey · Post by **CheekyMonkey** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 1:52 am

i don't really understand whats involved, but I've been told that I can use the exisitng Thing spindles and fit discs

Is that wrong ?

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 2:50 am

As far as I know... quality disk systems don't have a mounting place on Thing spindle.

CheekyMonkey · Post by **CheekyMonkey** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 2:32 pm

but - and I don't know and am prepared to be corrected - isn't this just a case of making a caliper mount ? (Or at least, that's what I've been told...)

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 4:51 pm

Several facts need to be brought to light here. First, you are correct converting to fornt disk brakes is an easy job done in an afternoon. I have converted over 10 from drum to disk. To keep the lift you will need a caliper mount adapter plate. I have thes adapters available. I have published a fairly comprehensive web page on disk brake conversion. Check it out at :

http://www.eppx.com/veewiki/index.php?p ... conversion

If you have other question about this conversion feel free to contact me. I have an offroad Thing that I cut and turned the stock Thing beam and converted to front disk brakes using the caliper mounting brackets. I also modified the front rotor dust covers to work very well. K-mann

CheekyMonkey · Post by **CheekyMonkey** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 1:06 pm

thank you very much - am away from home at the moment but looking forward to getting home and having a go at this

CheekyMonkey · Post by **CheekyMonkey** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:38 pm

resurrecting this old thread - I had to put things to one side for a while, and TU never came through with the parts that were ordered...

but I have just successfuly done this with Tarox calipers that I was able to get off the shlef here in the UK

this info might be of use to others - hence the update

ztnoo · Post by **ztnoo** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:10 pm

"TU never came through with the parts that were ordered... "

Really??? What a shock!!!!!

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:26 am

I saw the site where you got your parts. Looks like they have a nice selection of brake conversionm parts asn full kits.