so cal wide five disk brakes

four2fight · Post by **four2fight** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 9:39 pm

I am thinking of buying a set of so cal's wide five brakes for my thing. Has anybody bought these, and what do you think of them. I really want more stopping power!!!

Thanks, Four

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 9:48 pm

Mattt answer this one .Please. Best of luck. Bob Ingman

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 11:43 pm

I have a set. Not on yet. Almost ready to go on. I had to have the 12mm lugs drilled/tapped for 14mm. Just got that handled last week. Sadly, you cant use 14mm press in studs with these. You have to use screw in 14mm.

Ill have them on in the next month. Ive been debating about going 6" wider beam, and if I go for it, this is the ideal time since all the brakes will be off anyways.

Ill report in once they are on. Ill tell you this right off the bat, they are much heavier than stock drum setup. Im talking like twice as heavy according to my scale. I spoke with SoCal's tech support on this, they claim its not a problem for the Thing spindles & arms.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Sun Feb 08, 2004 10:02 am

Mattt I`m sure that any additional weight will be more than compensated by your use of alloy wheels. I see people running big steel wheels alll the time and getting away with it. You know what those things weigh.
Didn`t know they require screw in studs though. I love my press in 14mms but would give them in the front for the discs. At least they are five lug. Best of luck. Bob Ingman

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Sun Feb 08, 2004 10:08 pm

Yeah, they come with standard VW 12mm threaded holes for standard VW lug bolts. There is no way to get press in studs in there. Not enough room between the rotor, and the hub to slip the press ins in.

To run 14mm lugs, you have to drill and re-tap for 14mm screw ins.

Michael Basso · Post by **Michael Basso** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 7:34 am

Maybe you just need new drums, a good brake fluid flushing and some new brake parts.
that would be my recomendation
the new socal disc brake kit will require you to install new wheel cylinders, new hoses and a new master cylinder anyhow.
I just went over a car with all new brake parts and now I can stop on a dime.
without any major modifications.
I would also be happy to sell you a socal disc brake kit, and it would ship from CA with no tax, because i am the seller. And i am in ny.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:03 am

Mattt I`ll drill and tap but you can bet that I`ll also tack. There is no way I`m going to use screw in studs. Been there . Done that. No bueno! Best of luck. Bob

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 3:38 pm

Michael Basso wrote:Maybe you just need new drums, a good brake fluid flushing and some new brake parts.
that would be my recomendation
the new socal disc brake kit will require you to install new wheel cylinders, new hoses and a new master cylinder anyhow.
I just went over a car with all new brake parts and now I can stop on a dime.
without any major modifications.
I would also be happy to sell you a socal disc brake kit, and it would ship from CA with no tax, because i am the seller. And i am in ny.

I do agree that properly functioning drum brakes work okay. My primary Thing has great drum brakes. They stop very well.....for drum brakes. Its all about adjusting them correctly, having new fluid, good wheel cylinders & new brake hoses.

I have another Thing with drum brakes that absolutely SUCK! The car doesnt stop and when it does, it doesnt stop well or straight.

In any case, the discs will definitely work better than even the best drum setup that is functioning perfectly. This is even more true when in wet conditions. Discs are current technology, drums are old technology. Also, drums have to be constantly adjusted, discs need no adjustment.

Mike, what do you mean above..."the new socal disc brake kit will require you to install new wheel cylinders, new hoses and a new master cylinder anyhow"
There are no wheel cylinders with disc brakes. As for the M/C and hoses, I asked SoCal tech support if there are any differences between the parts in the kit, and regular drum parts, they say there are not. They just like to sell a complete new kit so everything is brand new with their disc brakes.

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 3:42 pm

Bob Ingman wrote:Mattt I`ll drill and tap but you can bet that I`ll also tack. There is no way I`m going to use screw in studs. Been there . Done that. No bueno! Best of luck. Bob

I agree with screw ins having their downfalls, but thats all they offer with these discs. If you want press in studs, go to CNC, or Neal, but be ready for the price difference $900/set. Im going to use a stud setting compound, basically very tough lok-tite made for studs that you dont want coming out. Tacking them is another option.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 8:10 am

Matt I too am convinced that the SoCal kit is the right product for the money and will be installing it this year. I have in the past used screw in studs but never really with any success. I tried lock tight on them and anti sieze on the thread/nuts but still some of them would come out with the nuts. Thats why I planned to tack them. I`m sure a single bead on each stud would be sufficient. Oh well its still a ways off yet so we`ll see when the time comes. Thanks for sharing the info with us about the SoCal kit. Best of luck. Bob Ingman

rfoutch · Post by **rfoutch** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 9:35 am

My problem is that most of these kits come with drop spindels and I am raising my thing

Will they fit on the standard spindels? or do you have to use the ones provided?

Randy

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 10:21 am

rfoutch wrote:My problem is that most of these kits come with drop spindels and I am raising my thing

Will they fit on the standard spindels? or do you have to use the ones provided?

Randy

The only kit that I know of that comes with drop spindles is the CB Perf. kit. We are not talking about that kit.

What are "most of these kits..." that you mention?

You cant even use that kit with the drop spindles anyway because the bug ball joint arms/spindles are different from Thing ball joint arms/spindles.

rfoutch · Post by **rfoutch** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 10:27 am

Maybe it was the CB kit that I was looking at, just checked the SoCal add and saw the kit you refered to .

Randy

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 10:29 am

There are also kits available from CNC, Neal, CSP, & Things Unlimited if you want use 4 lug or 4 lug w/ adapters to save some $$. None of these require a spindle change.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 11:08 am

Randy did you check with SoCal on line? If so send me the link. I had it but was lost recently. Thanks. Bob Ingman
I think the SoCal kit is the one for the average guy on a budget. Sure the Neals would be nice but do I really need them. Probably not.

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