TF 6-lug to 5-lug disc brake

[55dude]

hey guys has anyone here converted their TF 6-lug to 5 lug (5" bc) disc brakes? what i would like to do is use 73'-87' chevy rotors and the reason is i have a caddy rear that has disc brakes and is 5" bc. like later chevy truck,caddy,full size GM car. thanks

[mr48chev]

Haven't had a reason to try it. but once you get the wheel bearing thing figured out it shouldn't be hard to do.

The first thing I would suggest is figuring out if the depth of the hub will match up with the spindle. That is "will it fit on the spindle and allow me to properly install and adjust the spindle nut?"
The spindle being a tad longer than necessary isn't a big deal as you can make/use a spacer. Shorter is a very big deal.

Once you get past getting the rotor mounted with proper bearings and seal the caliper mounting breacket shouldn't be a big issue. Either you will have to make a pattern and have it cut out or shop the brake conversion vendors and find a bracket.

I think the hardest part of the whole process will be getting inner wheel bearings that match up.

In the Jan 09 Classic Truck magazine on page 71 Master power brakes shows a bracket kit with bearings and seals. I'm not sure if those brackets are the ones that you would need for your rotor of choice but I think I would start there. According to the web site the kit is 189.95 and if it will work it might save lots of hours of hunting. http://www.mpbrakes.com/products/pro...product_id=213 It may be set up for the Chevelle size rotors though.

Further hunting shows that that kit is for 11 inch mid size rotors.

If you have the front rotors off the same Cad that the rear end came off they should be the same as the mid 70's C 10 rotors.

[55dude]

i have brackets to do the 4.75 disc conversion but that won't match the rearend bolt pattern

[Caveman49]

Sounds like you're talking rear, in any case, I converted my front to disk, here's a pic of the kit http://www.americanclassic.com/images/BR3552.jpg but it was a bit cheaper here.....http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...s/4759DBK5.htm
I used rotors and calipers from a 74 El Camino, worked fine (so far) haven't got it on the road yet.

[55dude]

great pic's but the front is the issue as the rearend already has discs on it. wwhat i'm trying to do is end up with 5on5" pattern on the front to match the rear.

[Caveman49]

I would imagine the conversion kit will work with any combination, might want to email or call the vendor and ask them what they have. I talked to Randy, he was very helpful..............
~Randy.
CPP Internet Sales Dept.
Tel: 714-522-2000
FAX: 714-522-2500

[55dude]

bearing combo's are different:5 on 4.75 rotors use A2,A6 bearing combo and 5on5 rotors use A3,A6 bearing combo.

[mr48chev]

The bearing combo can be circumnavigated but most of the 5 on 5 mid 70's GM rotor and one rotor fits a lot of applications, are right 11 and 3/4 in diameter. That would require brackets with the holes for the caliper pins 3/8 of an inch further out from center.

One possibility is to see if you can redrill a set of the 4-3/4 rotors to 5 inch. They would still be 11 inch but that may be the simple solution.

[55dude]

i think i have convinced him to use a different rearend. just had to play out the options so i could talk him into using another rearend.