Brake Drum Conversion

[stinger608]

Okay, my trike is built on an IRS system and with that, run the 4 lug VW bolt pattern. Now I don't know about anyone else running the 4 lug drums, but there really isn't a very good selection of wheels available that spark my interest. I currently have some EMPI 8 spoke wheels on the trike, which look okay, but would like to go to a different style that is only available in the wide 5 lug type wheel.

Now, I did some research and found that a person can in fact convert to the wide 5 lug in two different ways.

The first way, which is probably okay, is to put the wide 5 lug on and use a spacer between the drum and axle bolt.

The second way, which I would prefer, is to use a 1973-74 VW Thing drum. Even though these had IRS transmissions, they still used the wide 5 lug drums and wheels.

Here is a source for getting these drums:
http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Rear-Brake-Drum-5-Lug-VW-Thing-181-501-615A-p/181-501-615a.htm

Of course this is early research so I might edit this post to add better/more availability on these drums.

Here is one from Pacific Customs: http://www.pacificcustoms.com/501615181a.html
Tad bit cheaper

Okay, Kustom1Warehouse has them at $96 each: http://www.kustom1warehouse.net/European_made_rear_brake_drums_for_VW_Volkswagen_p/113501615.htm
However, they will take at least a dang week to even ship!!!

 

[stinger608]

I totally agree Fuzzy. The spacer that I was talking about though, just slides over the axle stub as the threaded part of the axle sticks out too much.

 

[stinger608]

Right Fuzzy, I agree with ya. Think it would be a safer/better quality fit than adding in spacers.

 

[DeathBySnuSnu]

Get a disc brake conversion.
Get it blank, no bolt pattern machined at all.
Put whatever pattern, bolt size, and rim you want on it.

 

[DeathBySnuSnu]

http://www.mamotorworks.com/vw/Product/rear-disc-brake-kit-blank-rotor-i-r-s

Don't think you could get wide 5 on it. But about anything else.

 

[stinger608]

http://www.mamotorworks.com/vw/Product/rear-disc-brake-kit-blank-rotor-i-r-s

Don't think you could get wide 5 on it. But about anything else.

I am actually looking at a disc brake conversion that includes the Porsche and Chevy bolt pattern. That would allow a large selection of wheels to choose from.

 

[peteg59]

As Death was saying & you seem to be leaning toward, I'd go disc conversion as wheel options can be increased, but more important in my book is the great improvement in stopping power over drums.
I'd never go back to owning another vdub trike with drum breaks, front or rear for that matter...

 

[RSW]

Here you go
http://www.appletreeauto.com/IRS-S-A-CHEVY-DISC-BRAKE-KIT/

Mine has this type of adapter and I have no worries about it.

http://www.appletreeauto.com/WHEEL-ADAPTER-CHEVY-TO-4VW-PR-6533/

 

[stinger608]

Here you go
http://www.appletreeauto.com/IRS-S-A-CHEVY-DISC-BRAKE-KIT/

Mine has this type of adapter and I have no worries about it.

http://www.appletreeauto.com/WHEEL-ADAPTER-CHEVY-TO-4VW-PR-6533/

That's actually a pretty good price on the disc brake kit. Thanks for the link.:clapping:

 

[DeathBySnuSnu]

As a side note.
I used to be afraid of those aluminum adapters. Had a set on an old Plymouth that broke up real bad. But here within the past couple years I have used them on my truck and they seem fine. Just a plain 2wd on road little truck that I wanted to make look like an off road truck. They have held up fine. The back ones are 2.5" thick and the front one are 1.5" thick. Used as spacers instead of adapters.