DodgeCharger.com Forum

Mopar Garage => Chassis, Suspension, Brakes, Wheels, & Tires => Topic started by: c00nhunterjoe on May 17, 2009, 10:38:48 PM

Title: disc brake conversion for 14 inch wheels
Post by: c00nhunterjoe on May 17, 2009, 10:38:48 PM
what disc brake conversions do you reccomend and what will fit 14 inch vector wheels? this is for a 69 charger
Title: Re: disc brake conversion for 14 inch wheels
Post by: Rolling_Thunder on May 18, 2009, 12:13:07 AM
Stock Mopar disc brakes from 73+ A-Body...     Use the 10.78" Rotors and it'll fit just fine with a 14" wheel. 
Title: Re: disc brake conversion for 14 inch wheels
Post by: Mike DC on May 18, 2009, 02:01:09 PM
   
Wait a minute . . . weren't the calipers the interference point when the wheel size dropped below 15 inches, not the rotors themselves? 

Title: Re: disc brake conversion for 14 inch wheels
Post by: 68Charger4me on May 18, 2009, 06:16:40 PM
I used the 73 a-body discs on mine with 14" aluminum slots, it was a VERY tight fit.
Title: Re: disc brake conversion for 14 inch wheels
Post by: bull on May 18, 2009, 10:48:18 PM
Quote from: Mike DC (formerly miked) on May 18, 2009, 02:01:09 PM
   
Wait a minute . . . weren't the calipers the interference point when the wheel size dropped below 15 inches, not the rotors themselves? 



Well, yes, but the smaller the rotor the closer the caliper is to the center of the wheel. See what I mean? With a 11.75" rotor the caliper is nearly a half inch further out than with a 10.78" rotor (actually, I think it's 10.87" not 10.78").
Title: Re: disc brake conversion for 14 inch wheels
Post by: terrible one on May 18, 2009, 11:03:04 PM
FWIW, I did the conversion with 10.87" rotors and '73 Challenger calipers and my 14" slotted mags would not fit. Now a stock wheel, maybe but obviously it depends on the wheel for clearance with a 14" unless the Challenger caliper is bigger than an alternative.
Title: Re: disc brake conversion for 14 inch wheels
Post by: Mike DC on May 19, 2009, 01:24:34 PM

If it was that close, did you consider just whittling down the calipers in the most offending areas? 

You could practice on a junkyard caliper just to get an idea how much material can be removed safely. 

Title: Re: disc brake conversion for 14 inch wheels
Post by: bull on May 19, 2009, 08:03:12 PM
Quote from: Mike DC (formerly miked) on May 19, 2009, 01:24:34 PM

If it was that close, did you consider just whittling down the calipers in the most offending areas? 

You could practice on a junkyard caliper just to get an idea how much material can be removed safely. 



:o I don't know about that idea. Me thinks it's probably better to install parts that fit instead of carving on them.
Title: Re: disc brake conversion for 14 inch wheels
Post by: HPP on May 20, 2009, 01:43:06 PM
Quote from: 68Charger4me on May 18, 2009, 06:16:40 PM
I used the 73 a-body discs on mine with 14" aluminum slots, it was a VERY tight fit.

Yes, but they did fit and provided more braking for than the equivilent 10.5 inch GM based rotor included in many kits. But, see below.

Quote from: terrible one on May 18, 2009, 11:03:04 PM
FWIW, I did the conversion with 10.87" rotors and '73 Challenger calipers and my 14" slotted mags would not fit. Now a stock wheel, maybe but obviously it depends on the wheel for clearance with a 14" unless the Challenger caliper is bigger than an alternative.

How old are those slotted mags?  What many of us have forgotten is that way back when, there were aftermarket wheels made to fit drum or disc equiped cars. For instance, the Torque Thrust D was to accomodate disc brakes becasue the stand TQ hit the caliper. Chances are your wheels are an example of this.

Quote from: Mike DC (formerly miked) on May 18, 2009, 02:01:09 PM
Wait a minute . . . weren't the calipers the interference point when the wheel size dropped below 15 inches, not the rotors themselves? 

This is only an issue if you go with the 11.75 rotors as they will not fit in a 14" wheel, but will fit fine inside a 15" wheel.

Easy way to do this is find 73-76 Dart Duter or 76-85 Apsen, Volare, Mirada, etc. Use verything between the balljoints. Cordobas and St Regis variants are also a source, but you may end up with the 11.75 rotors which will not fit 14" wheels.
Title: Re: disc brake conversion for 14 inch wheels
Post by: terrible one on May 20, 2009, 01:57:34 PM

Wheels I had were vintage Indy slots
Title: Re: disc brake conversion for 14 inch wheels
Post by: Steve P. on May 25, 2009, 12:33:29 AM
Terrible is correct. It DOES depend on the individual wheel. Some will and some won't work.

(BULL):  I have carved up many sets of calipers, caliper brackets and spindles. The castings are QC'ed about every other year, it seems.. I'm not talking about removing half an inch of meat. But I have removed about 1/4 inch without any trouble at all...  I mostly like to remove the casting flash and slag to smooth the parts and give them a custom look.. Plus I make sure all the grinding dust goes into my back grass. The grass loves the iron...  :2thumbs: