Converting a K&L beam to disc brakes

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 3 Feb 2006, 3:36 pm

#453288

I have this adjustable beam I want to sort out with disc brakes before I install on the 67 bug.. Two questions (3 actually)
1: Where would I take it?
2: What would it cost?
3: Can I keep the wide 5 stud pattern?

Thanks
Rob
Sydney (Eastside)

Edit: Sorry folks NOT R&P should have read K&L (Brain freeze)

[ Edited on 3-2-06 by StenGuns ]

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 3 Feb 2006, 7:48 pm

#453349

Amended description of beam

HGFS Wolfsburg Wizard

531 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 4 Feb 2006, 1:41 am

#453425

Volks Conversions in QLD are a long time manufacturer of wide 5 discs for K&L. Vintage in Sydney were developing something a while back that must be done by now but I'm sure vw54 could tell you about that.
Failing that theres others OS like CB performance that you can get in a kit with drop spindles (approx $550 - $600 US), or CSP which is meant to be top notch quality wise (German) but a bit pricey.
Be careful with any option you look into with adding offset, some kits add more offset than others. You may run into problems with tyres rubbing fenders if its lowered a bit, depending on your wheels. My BRM's with 165's on a standard width lowered beam with drums used to rub, but the std wheels didn't.
Cheers
Greg

1954 Oval long term project going nowhere
1958 Beetle drag car project
1959 Beetle project I need to sell one day
1969 Squareback

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 5 Feb 2006, 4:25 pm

#453757

The volks conversion kit adds 25mm per side. I've got it on the buggy and it's good. Uses Mazda caliper so bit are very easy to get. If I was to use it on a street car I'd narrow the beam first. Say 2-3 inches.

"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 5 Feb 2006, 4:48 pm

#453764

Thanks.. Is that necessary though?.. I have no idea whats involved.. does a narrowed beam involve cutting and re-welding the beam back together? If so and if necessary, who could I send the beam to to get that and the discs done?
The beetle is getting stripped and going into the panel and paint shop in a fortnight.. Say four weeks later, it will be ready for re-build so i really want this done soonish.. No time or experience myself so I'm afraid I'll need to get it sent out asap..

pete wood wrote:The volks conversion kit adds 25mm per side. I've got it on the buggy and it's good. Uses Mazda caliper so bit are very easy to get. If I was to use it on a street car I'd narrow the beam first. Say 2-3 inches.

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 5 Feb 2006, 4:51 pm

#453765

By the way, I had wide five 356 rims or radars in mind so we are talking a wider rim aren't we?

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 5 Feb 2006, 4:52 pm

#453766

Im using late beetle discs and calipers. no five stud tho.

easy conversion with caliper brakets and differnet size "adapter" bearings.

let me know if you go this way cause i have the bearing numbers and brakets if needed.

[ Edited on 5-2-06 by dumone ]

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StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 5 Feb 2006, 4:53 pm

#453767

Thanks.. It may come to that..

dumone wrote:Im using late beetle discs and calipers. no five stud tho.

easy conversion with caliper brakets and differnet size "adapter" bearings.

let me know if you go this way cause i have the bearing numbers and brakets if needed.

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 6 Feb 2006, 8:10 am

#453920

Any advice on a Sydney shop that can take the beam and do this?

StenGuns wrote:Thanks.. Is that necessary though?.. I have no idea whats involved.. does a narrowed beam involve cutting and re-welding the beam back together? If so and if necessary, who could I send the beam to to get that and the discs done?
The beetle is getting stripped and going into the panel and paint shop in a fortnight.. Say four weeks later, it will be ready for re-build so i really want this done soonish.. No time or experience myself so I'm afraid I'll need to get it sent out asap..

pete wood wrote:The volks conversion kit adds 25mm per side. I've got it on the buggy and it's good. Uses Mazda caliper so bit are very easy to get. If I was to use it on a street car I'd narrow the beam first. Say 2-3 inches.

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 6 Feb 2006, 9:55 am

#453948

Call or take the beam to Vintage at Campsie 9789-1777 they can do the lot for you

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 6 Feb 2006, 10:53 am

#453953

vintage vee-dub have four to five stud adapters in their vwma advertisement this month

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 6 Feb 2006, 11:08 am

#453960

Beaut.. Thats what I wanted to here..Thanks

vw54 wrote:Call or take the beam to Vintage at Campsie 9789-1777 they can do the lot for you

Anthiron The Baja Rejuvenation Begins

4,936 posts · joined Oct 2003 · 6 Feb 2006, 11:14 am

#453961

hey pete. what sort of money did u pay for the volksconversion kit? sorry to hijack.

62/60 model bug eye baja bug, (Full Build in Progress)
1974 Chevrolet Luv
1970 MK2 Ford Cortina GT
1979 Yamaha RX125 Two Stroke tracker project.
2004 Harley Davidson Sportster XL Custom

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 6 Feb 2006, 1:45 pm

#453996

can't remember exactly, was a long time ago, round $650 I think. Personally I didn't mind the increase in track with the Volks conversions coz it helps off road. 👍

http://volksconversions.com.au/discbrakes.htm

(Garantee the VVDS kit it almost double that, I talked to them about theirs years ago and they were saying things like $1050 at the time.) 🙁

[ Edited on 6-2-2006 by pete wood ]

"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

Anthiron The Baja Rejuvenation Begins

4,936 posts · joined Oct 2003 · 6 Feb 2006, 1:52 pm

#453998

thanks pete. big help.

i have my own new beam to go in that id like to get discs for.

62/60 model bug eye baja bug, (Full Build in Progress)
1974 Chevrolet Luv
1970 MK2 Ford Cortina GT
1979 Yamaha RX125 Two Stroke tracker project.
2004 Harley Davidson Sportster XL Custom