Disc Brake Options for a 1965 Bus

All,
I am thinking about going to disk brakes on my 65 bus. I have a 4inch narrowed beam and flipped spindles on it now and have been looking into disk brake options, but there are not many out there and it's starting to get confusing. I know Wagenswest has a very expensive option, but I am looking for something much cheaper. My question would be will a type 3 setup work or any other solution that is more in the 400 price range vs. 1,500 price range. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

Wow, timely topic! I just started this morning looking into disc options for my 66 bus. I'm wanting to stick with my 14" wheels for now, so my options are even more limited. There is a thread on the samba with some info you can look through.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=475194&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

I love the CSP kit, but it's out my range. Airkewld is nice, but only works for 15". I didn't find a lot of opinions on the wagenswest babystangs, but the few people who did have them, seemed happy with them. That's likely what I'll be going with since I'm a stock wheel kind of guy.

There are also options of converting over to bay window spindles/rotors which would probably be a good bit cheaper than a brand new set-up if you have time to hunt down all the parts.

Thanks for the information. I will read the Samba link tonight. I am thinking that the only option is going to be a costly one.

Well, if you are wanting to save money, I can't suggest the same set-up as I run..... But I will say that brakes are the one place where I didn't really want to go the cheapest route, especially in a bus.

I am finding that out so looks like I will have to spend the money. Let me know what setup you have.

Thanks,
Mike

adapt a bay window setup should be less than 500 with everything brand new......you will just have to build caliper brackets....I have the drawings for the brackets also

I am running the Airkewled wilwood 4 pot set-up on front. Right now I have type 3 on the rear. There are some pics of the install in my bus thread.

Cool. Thanks

Think the four piston Stockornaut setup on the Jolly Rancher was around $900. Won't work with 14s though. I'm very pleased with the results and the durability has been fantastic. I have around 40K on them with no issues whatsoever.

Glen when you get ready to replace or pads let me know where you get them. I run the same setup on mine.

I took the plunge last night and ordered the babystang kit from wagenswest with the wide five adapter. Heard they can be slow on shipping, so I didn't want to wait any longer. GOT to have these before the interstate trip to BAP.

http://www.wagenswest.com/partstore/index.php/disk-brakes/55-67-front-disk-brakes/babystang-63-70-bus-front-disk-brakes.html

a lot of the street rodders use the Mustang II front end- but then so does

The Mighty Snorklestang

Click Here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=499401&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Grifspop wrote:a lot of the street rodders use the Mustang II front end- but then so does

The Mighty Snorklestang

Snorklestang is pretty much what sold me on this kit. If they can stop Snorklestang, they can stop my bus.

I did the same thing last night but i went with the SACO package. You guys scared me with the "you want to have good brakes when it comes to stopping a bus" and after looking at what was between me and someone’s backend, I agreed. Now I am kind of wishing I would have gone with the WW product, but I have been waiting on a pair of tire rods for 2 weeks with no ship date in sight so I guess patience is something you have to have with them.
http://www.sacoperformance.com/proddetail.php?prod=60-2087
If one of you has had a bad experience with the SACO let me know because I can still cancel this morning.
Thanks

Lot of people in that thread I posted above had issues with the sacos. Clicking noises, warped rotors, pulsing. Been a while since I read through that thread though, so they may have gotten the bugs worked out by now.

Crap. I may have ordered the wrong kit. I am going to cancel and get the same one you have.

Its probably all a crap shoot. I can't guarantee the babystangs will be any better.

I have decided to stick with the SACO purchase so that we can document the good and bad of both products for future bus owners. I have done more research and when installed correctly and you get all the parts, it's a good deal for the money so we will see.

I will be interested in comparing results from all the different setups. Looks like between everyone, we have most of the available options covered.
The SACO kit was my second choice, but after hearing the problems that Eric mentioned, I decided to just bite the bullet and put down the extra $ for the Airkeweled kit. So far they have been problem free. The install was pretty much straight forward and everything went together like it should. After 1year the bus still tracks true and stops smooth and straight, even in a hard panic stop. It pretty much brakes like a modern car now. I may upgrade the rears eventually, but the type 3 drums seem to be adequate.

Sounds like a plan! Hopefully they all work great.

I got a note from UPS that my brakes have shipped and should arrive Monday. I can't wait. I may have to host a brake party! Free cold beer, smoked BBQ from my green egg and the sides at my shop in Alpharetta for those who are on my side of town or want to take the long drive!

Dang that's quick!

The brakes came today. They look good and all the parts appear to be here. I will start the install process this weekend.

The brakes are on and the installation was pretty easy with no real issues. I had to tap a hole for one of the bolts to go all the way in, but that was it and that was a rust problem not a brake kit problem. Pictures of the bus to come next.

mmmm....they look purty!!! sounds like a pretty easy install. I got word from WagensWest today that he was parkerizing the caliper brackets today and hoped to ship them tomorrow (though I aint holding my breath on that one).