Singlecab Brakes

Advokat · Post by **Advokat** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:04 pm

Looking for suggestions for kits, if available, that will allow the front drums on a '68 Singlecab to be switched for discs.

Thanks

Pillow · Post by **Pillow** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:38 pm

What kind of bolt pattern are you after?

aircooledtechguy · Post by **aircooledtechguy** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:39 pm

Hey Rick! Long time no hear. If you don't mind the late bus bolt pattern, a '71 front end is a bolt-on.

Advokat · Post by **Advokat** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:56 pm

Nate!!!!!!!!!!!! How are you doing, Man? How's life? Are you a full-fledged civilian now?

Anyway, I sold my Thing and I'm looking really hard at this truck. I knew about the '71 beam being a bolt-on affair, but it's slim pickings around here and I imagine shipping one from out west is big $$$. That's why I was wondering about an aftermarket kit.

Is it possible to just buy '71 brake-related components and just bolt them to the '68's front end?

As far as bolt patterns go, I don't really care that much as I figure I can correct any issue with wheel adaptors, if necessary.

Thanks guys,
Rick

Post by **Marc** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 8:20 am

Actually I don't think a `71 beam will bolt up directly in place of a `68 (at least not with all of the bolts, they're different at the mounting flanges) but the later spindles will fit in place of the drum-brake units.
You might want to go with `73-up stuff instead, the `71/`72-only is becoming obsolescent.
Bolt pattern is 5x112 (same as Benz); I've seen adaptors to mount 5x130 Porsche rims, but not 5x205.

Advokat · Post by **Advokat** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 1:20 pm

So I can buy later (even '73 and up) components and use as bolt ons? I mean that I don't need any specially fabricated caliper brackets or things like that? Will these later spindles change the ride height?

Thanks,
Rick

Post by **Marc** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:30 am

Splitty and early (`68-early`70) bay beams have this mounting bolt pattern:

On later bay beams this measurement is 128mm. All the bay beams use the same control arms; spindles are `68-`70 drum, `71/`72 disc, or `73-`79 disc and will fit any balljoint front end. If there's any difference in ride height between bay drum & disc it's subtle.
Most folks who're running front discs with no power assist say that the pedal effort isn't too bad, so you probably won't need to worry about mounting/plumbing a servo.

Advokat · Post by **Advokat** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:41 pm

Thanks a million, Marc. That is precisely what I wanted to know.

Rick

Advokat · Post by **Advokat** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 4:00 pm

I know that this is an old thread, but I recently read somewhere that it is possible to mount Porsche 944 calipers, rotors-hub assembly, etc. on the '68-'70 spindles.

Does anyone know if this is true? I would really like to know as I've just now started looking for parts to do the disc conversion and if I can avoid having to swap the spindles out, I'd just as soon consider that route.

Thanks,
Rick

Pillow · Post by **Pillow** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 6:35 pm

You are correct! The 944 brakes can be used on the front of the early bays just as easily as the splits.

A few vendors are now offering the kits for this.

Buy the 944 parts used and refurbish, then get all the custom stuff from a vendor. All in all a very affordable way to get great stoppong power and an easy easy conversion. 2 hours if you are good with a wrench, 4 if you take beer breaks

vwnutz · Post by **vwnutz** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 6:38 pm

Check out Vdubengineering.com

Advokat · Post by **Advokat** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 5:16 am

Okay. So I don't have to pay through the nose for one of those kits. My question then is, I guess, what do I source from the bone yard and what do I have to buy from the vendor?

My thought is that if I get the calipers, rotors and hub assembly from a junked Porsche, all I have to buy from a vendor are the caliper mounting brackets?

Thanks,
Rick

Pillow · Post by **Pillow** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 6:42 pm

IIRC All I needed was:

- Beetle rubber brake lines
- A bearing spacer for inside the 944 hub
- Modified grease caps.
- Custom caliper mount.

Really not much at all. The rest is stock 944 stuff which is not all that expensive.

The other new Porsche parts for rebuild I sourced through pelicanparts.com

Advokat · Post by **Advokat** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:19 am

Pillow:

Not to beat a dead horse, but I once had a Thing that I got a kit that let me use Ghia parts. The whole thing, from soup to nuts, cost like $200 and it was a direct bolt-on to the existing drum spindle. Plus, all of the Ghia components were brand spanking new.

Are you aware of any reason that this type of set up cannot be used on a Bus/Singlecab? By the way, where did you get the caliper bracket?

Thanks,
Rick

Pillow · Post by **Pillow** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:54 pm

I got my custom parts from Old Speed.

The Ghia disk kits are fine for Beetles, but would be really small for a Bus.

The 944 kit is very beefy. 12"ish vented rotors and a large single piston caliper. Good for anything a street bus could handle

And yes the conversion will cost more than $200.