5 bolt conversion-wheel adaptors?

How do you convert your rear brakes to the large early vw/porsche 5 bolt (without going to disc brakes). What VW set up is being used? Early drum?

Has anyone ever used wheel adaptors 4 to 5 bolt. I was on the Fibersteel web site and looked at some drum skins. They show a picture of an inverted adaptor (on what appears to be a late 4-bolt durm), some spacers and wheel skins. What's the deal?

I know I can buy 5- bolt disc brake kits for the front but want to keep drums in the rear.

Any suggestions?

My wide 5 is from a 67 bug in back.

Mike

Heiko,

Using adapters is possible however, they may cause your tires to rub as they increase the rear track about 1/2 to 3/4" per side. The best deal is to do as Mike did and buy 5 bolt drums. You'll need to know if you have narrow or long axles. """Ususally""" if you have a late model Beck, you have wide axles, I believe that Vintage uses narrow axles. Not sure what ThuderRanch does. Also, in my case, I had long axles and the Standard Mangels wheels have too much of an offset requiring my 5 1/2" rear wheels to be cut and re-welded reducing the offset. I got the entire kit to convert my car from Greg at Vintage. Greg had the rear wheels cut and re-welded and you can't tell the difference. 4 1/2 wheels will work without rubbing.

Make sure that you tighten the drum axle nut retainer to 275+ pound feet otherwise, you'll wobble the splines and be cruising for an accident.

The drum skins ""should"" fit the drums otherwise, buy some high heat paint and paint them a flat aluminum color.

I recently converted my Beck to the wide 5 pattern and I have disc's all around with drumskins. Really added to the "looks" of the car.
Photo's available here:

www.spyderclub.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=5022&sid=55a32c5b68ca8fc5b30e52015380dbf2

Drumskins do fit wide-5 brake drums, they are made for them. And they look really good, too, unlike factory VW drums. I don't have nor will I install hubcaps, I feel it just looks better without them. Larry, did you also get the skins for the front? They are the same fronts as I have, if you got them from Greg. I only have rear skins.

Yes, I did get front and rear skins to cover my disc's.

I also drilled out the rivets on the wheels that hold the 5 hubcap spring clips. It looks a lot better the clips removed and keeps the un-informed from asking why the hub caps aren't installed. The original wheels didn't have hub cap clips

Also, some of the early 5 bolt drums have radial strengthening ribs that may interfere with the skins so make sure you get the late 5 bolt drums that have a smooth face.

Thanks for the help. I have a late model swing axle. The 67 type 1 set up for the rear sounds like the plan. I will use the wide five disc brakes for the front (with lowered spindles, to get some of my front suspension back). The irony of it all is that I sold my 67 convertible cal look bug after I bought my Spyder...I had converted it to porsche bolt pattern 4-wheel discs...threw all the other drum stuff away. Luckily rear drums and hardware is cheap.

Thanks again.

Heiko,
Check "THESAMBA.COM" under general parts for sale. Someone has '66-'67 brake drums for sale on there.

Heiko,
Check "THESAMA.COM" under general parts for sale. Someone has '66-'67 brake drums for sale on there.

I've converted 4 to 5 bolts on the SAME DRUM a number of times. All you have to do is go a machine shop with one of your 5 bolt wheels and the 4 bolt drums.....have the guy drill 5 holes and install 14mm threaded studs. I've done this twice here in Mexico with a cost of $80.00 for the 20 threaded holes. If you need more imfo, let me know, Dominick