Trackyellow
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 18
After reading how Frederick managed to change discs on the Tech Tips page, I'm wondering how easy it would be to convert front drums to discs on a 65-66 R4 ... in australia ...
cheers f.
cheers f.
- Thread starter Trackyellow
- Start date
malcolm
& Clementine the Cat
- Messages
- 4,599
- Location
- Bedford UK
I'm planning to fit a set of discs on a '68 car. My investigation hasn't gone very far yet, but the manual suggests the front uprights changed when they changed the castor in late '68 and aren't interchangeable, so you'd be looking at fitting at least the GTL uprights and upper wishbones. Probably steering rack as well to suit the uprights. Not sure whether the lower wishbone is different, but the chassis looks the same.
Where to put the handbrake? The disc brake cars have a rear wheel handbrake. The attachments for the backplates changed somewhere between '68 and the GTL. It's probably possible to fit some GTL backplates with a little fabrication work, otherwise you'd need the whole GTL axle (which should fit). Routing the handbrake cables to the rear should be possible with a bit of imagination.
The whole job would take a bit of effort, but it's probably no longer than trying to change those nasty fiddly early front brake shoes.
Where to put the handbrake? The disc brake cars have a rear wheel handbrake. The attachments for the backplates changed somewhere between '68 and the GTL. It's probably possible to fit some GTL backplates with a little fabrication work, otherwise you'd need the whole GTL axle (which should fit). Routing the handbrake cables to the rear should be possible with a bit of imagination.
The whole job would take a bit of effort, but it's probably no longer than trying to change those nasty fiddly early front brake shoes.
Trackyellow
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 18
ee gads ...
methinks I'll stay with the cocoa tins and slow down a tad!
cheers frank
methinks I'll stay with the cocoa tins and slow down a tad!
cheers frank
malcolm
& Clementine the Cat
- Messages
- 4,599
- Location
- Bedford UK
Just spotted another potential problem - the early wheels look like they will foul the brake calipers - there are vents in the wheels pressed inboards where the calpier would be, and I'm guessing about 20mm interference. Shame - I was hoping to retain a completely '60s appearance and don't fancy GTL wheels or alloys.
Maybe I can modify the GTL wheels to take nice chrome hubcaps. Will photoshop Renospeed's car and see what it would look like.
Maybe I can modify the GTL wheels to take nice chrome hubcaps. Will photoshop Renospeed's car and see what it would look like.
My 2cents:
Had that conversion made to my '81 TL a few years back (maybe 10). Rims fitted ok, but the very early ones (the ones without the vents all around) will definitely NOT. Steering rack stayed in place, same axles, hadbrake was gone and as far as I remember, the hubs were changed too (can update you on that later, after checking with my mechanic)
Had that conversion made to my '81 TL a few years back (maybe 10). Rims fitted ok, but the very early ones (the ones without the vents all around) will definitely NOT. Steering rack stayed in place, same axles, hadbrake was gone and as far as I remember, the hubs were changed too (can update you on that later, after checking with my mechanic)
Stuart Delahoy
Enthusiast
- Messages
- 516
Hi malcom, just a thought on all this wheel and hub stuff...If you fit discs and relocate the hand brake to the rear wheels you will need to still use the under dash lever (tricky)or...no bench seat!!!
Stuart
Stuart
malcolm
& Clementine the Cat
- Messages
- 4,599
- Location
- Bedford UK
The bench seat is definately more important than brakes. I'm planning to keep the dash handbrake lever and leave the chassis mounted handbrake lever in much the same place. Probably the lever would need extending downwards with the take off below the chassis. From there I've not thought much -maybe put a pull rod under the floor. Otherwise possibly use some very long custom handbrake cables. Should figure something out when I have all the bits.