going out on a limb

Author Topic: going out on a limb  (Read 9378 times)

Offline 70chall440

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Re: going out on a limb
« Reply #30 on: January 05, 2016 - 11:20:05 AM »
This car has a 4.5" bolt pattern correct? If so, get on Craigslist and look at Mustang wheels; same bolt pattern you just have to watch the back spacing. There are typically tons of nice wheels available on there from people who trashed their mustang or wanted to change the wheels, usually a lot to choose from and they generally start at 17".
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)




Offline HP2

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Re: going out on a limb
« Reply #31 on: January 05, 2016 - 06:31:58 PM »
No, he has a 4" bolt circle, so he's got a major obstacle right out of the gate. We also don't know if the stock wheels are disc caliper compatible either. Many earlier wheels made before wide spread use of disc brakes do not have adequate space to clear a caliper, which sticks out further than a drum face.

So it kind of comes down to spending a small fortune on small diameter rotors with 4" bolt pattern to keep the OEM 14" wheels (which still may not fit with discs) , or spending a smaller chunk of money on replacement wheels and a more standard 4.5" bolt pattern disc and axle swap.

Like Ebodymod says, how much effort and research you put into finding compatible parts will determine how expensive this swap will be. 4.5" bolt pattern 14" and 15" wheels are not hard to find, nor are they expensive. 10.89" and 11.75" OEM style brake conversions are also not too difficult nor expensive to source parts for. If you simple sit down, open a catalog and start ordering parts, then the costs go up, but you also may get more complete kits of all the required conversion parts.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: going out on a limb
« Reply #32 on: January 05, 2016 - 07:00:08 PM »
Well that does suck..
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: going out on a limb
« Reply #33 on: January 05, 2016 - 08:51:05 PM »
Think this through carefully  take your time & try to spend the $$ the best way you can & do it only once !
 I would upgrade to disc brakes with the 4.5 bolt pattern & change the axles later to match bolt pattern front to rear if it was me
« Last Edit: January 05, 2016 - 10:48:42 PM by Chryco Psycho »

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline 70chall440

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Re: going out on a limb
« Reply #34 on: January 05, 2016 - 09:07:16 PM »
 :iagree:
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline DadsCuda

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Re: going out on a limb
« Reply #35 on: January 06, 2016 - 06:20:35 AM »
Think this through carefully  take your time & try to spend the $$ the best way you can & do it only once !
 I would upgrade to disc brakes with the 4.5 bolt pattern & change the axles later to match bolt pattern front to rear if it was me

 i definitely want front disc, so i need to move towards that. i'd love to go from the annoying 4" bolt pattern to a less frustrating 4.5" but was under the impression that the axles would need swapping right away if i went that route. can the bolt pattern be changed without swapping out the axles? of course, if i'm going through the trouble of changing bolt patterns and axles, i suppose i may as well jump up a wheel size, too, since new bolt pattern also means new rims.
and here's the 'stupid girl' question of the day: if i leave the rear as drum (which i am doing)...does the front bolt pattern not necessarily have to match the rear?

my major hurdle here is simply not knowing my way around salvage yards/catalogs/etc. i see what needs to be done but obviously will be spending the winter figuring out the best option for staying within my budget. the upside is that the body is 'okay' (not planning on making it 'pretty' right now) and mechanically it's going to be more time consuming than money consuming (luckily), so this brakes/axle/wheel issue can take most of my budget (tiny budget).
i appreciate all the help and guidance too! priceless.

Offline IMNCARN82

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Re: going out on a limb
« Reply #36 on: January 06, 2016 - 08:08:44 AM »
Find some factory disc brakes with 4.5 bolt pattern for up front. New or used... They are not that hard to source.  Spindles and UCA's  New ball joints…. Then adapters on the back.   Your done.    Wish I was closer… 

R/T
'73 340 5 speed,RMS,BAER,... "Supercuda" (O[   ]||||[   ]O)  
'69 Dodge Charger 383,Auto                  (OiiiiiiiiiiIiiiiiiiiiiO)
13' Challenger R/T BlacktoP  6spd. (OO________OO)
71' Demon
75' Duster
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Robert    "cuda bob"

Offline dfrazz

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Re: going out on a limb
« Reply #37 on: January 06, 2016 - 04:41:34 PM »

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: going out on a limb
« Reply #38 on: January 06, 2016 - 05:41:33 PM »
The Only issue with using 4.5" front disc & wheels & leaving the rear 4" for now is the lack of spare tire , so if you have AAA to get you home no issue !!Just run 4.5 in front until you get the rear figured out down the road .

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Offline DadsCuda

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Offline HP2

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Re: going out on a limb
« Reply #40 on: January 07, 2016 - 04:39:39 PM »
Here are your front discs - http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=110342.0;topicseen#msg1087708


Eh, I'd pass. '66 used two piece rotors which are difficult to find and expensive when you do find em. They also have 4 pot calipers which again, are difficult to find parts for and repair.

I'd stick with the 73-76 A body, 73-80 B body, or 76-84 FJM body swaps. Much easier to find, easier to get parts for, cheaper to install and maintain.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: going out on a limb
« Reply #41 on: January 07, 2016 - 11:20:35 PM »
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: going out on a limb
« Reply #42 on: January 07, 2016 - 11:55:29 PM »
Eh, I'd pass. '66 used two piece rotors which are difficult to find and expensive when you do find em. They also have 4 pot calipers which again, are difficult to find parts for and repair.

I'd stick with the 73-76 A body, 73-80 B body, or 76-84 FJM body swaps. Much easier to find, easier to get parts for, cheaper to install and maintain.


 :iagree:

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline DadsCuda

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Re: going out on a limb
« Reply #43 on: January 09, 2016 - 09:07:43 AM »
this is what you need
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/pts/5381967410.html

yes! another friend mentioned an adapter. i'll look into that. you guys have been great help! thanks!