I've got a 1970 bay van that i want to update with a late model front end with disc brakes. How hard is it?The mounting points are different, so can i just change the hubs and not run a booster?Am i better off to modify the chassis rails to fit a complete late beam? Any suggestions are much appreciated. Also, can you get the merc rims in 16x6 or 6.5inch. I've got 16x7.5 s but there a tad to wide for what for I need. thanks
From what I've been told you can keep your beam and replace the spindles with a set with disks on. Pretty sure you will have to run a booster as well.
I will be doing this in the next few months as well so will be interested in any answers from others.
Dubcab
Just swap the late stub axles to your beam. You will have to remove the "residual pressure valves" on the master cylinder from both front brake lines.
Unless your van has the late model pedal set up, then you will not be able to run the booster – the late model master cylinder and booster are mounted on the beam, not on the chassis.
You will also need to swap the rear stub axles, backing plates and hubs to keep the narrow stud pattern and then fit your merc wheels.
You have stated "The mounting points are different" can you confirm the distance vertically between the front mounting studs for me. Should be approx 127mm.
Grahame
visit my club site at
www.vwdcqinc.org.auDubcab,
Re: 16" Merc wheels, are you talking mags or steelies? If steelies I have 16x6.5 AU/BA Falcon rims with bolt pattern remachined to 112 pcd to suit Kombi $200 set of 5. These have a perfect offset for Kombis (ET37).
Ian.
I'll take those if dubcab doesn't want them, U2U me to let me know..... 🙂
Kruizin Kol
im going to end up doing this conversion aswell but ive got a donner bus. i talked to kim from indian automotive and heres what he said
"Gday Deon, I think Ive seen the bus before. But by all means send me a pic
or two.
To change the brake, you'll need front stub axles from a later bus,
complete.
Rear bearing housings and brakes complete.
And then somehow, you will need to get a booster in the front beam, and make
the pedals reach the booster. The drama is, the clutch cable in that model
is in the way to use a standard booster setup. We have the bits and pieces
here to do such a conversion, but I dont sell it as a kit, we usually make
it to suit the bus.
But it all can be done, its just getting the booster in and working thats
the painful bit.
hope this was of some help to you.
Cheers Kimm"
🙂
Thanks for your suggestions guys. It looks like the hardest part of the job is to get the brake pedal to link up with the booster. I think I'll modify the chassis a bit to fit a complete late beam , and just make a custom dogleg joint/hinge thingy to line up with the standard booster. IF I wanted to give the bus some lift ,would I just add a bit more metal to chassis rails while beam is out and welder is ready? cheers!
