[tharkun8]

One other option is to convert to front disc brakes.. if you are getting into
changing hubs now would be a good time to consider the swap.

Scarebird ( member here ) has a business selling the caliper brackets and then
giving you parts lists of existing stuff to buy off the shelf to finish the job.

For the fronts on your car you could buy the front disc brake hubs for
a 1977 Safari SW -MUST BE SW hubs- still 5x5 bolt pattern. Im doing this swap on my 66 Ventura and will
end up doing the same mods to my other vehicles as I restore them.

I love the 8-lug look but not enough to keep drum brakes on cars that will
be driven a lot. I live in CO though with a lot of mountainous,hilly driving
at high speeds.. 4 wheel drums just arent worth it to me.. (same with
a single master Cyl -swapping to duals -- but thats a different topic)

My only car with 8 lugs is the 65 2+2 and I'll have to decide when I get to
that one if I want it to be a show car ( Stock- seldom driven- so keeping 8lugs ) or making it a
driver ( keep 8 lug setup with car but change to 5x5 Disc/Drum setup)

Good Luck

John

[roflo619]

Originally Posted by tharkun8

One other option is to convert to front disc brakes.. if you are getting into
changing hubs now would be a good time to consider the swap.

Scarebird ( member here ) has a business selling the caliper brackets and then
giving you parts lists of existing stuff to buy off the shelf to finish the job.

For the fronts on your car you could buy the front disc brake hubs for
a 1977 Safari SW -MUST BE SW hubs- still 5x5 bolt pattern. Im doing this swap on my 66 Ventura and will
end up doing the same mods to my other vehicles as I restore them.

I love the 8-lug look but not enough to keep drum brakes on cars that will
be driven a lot. I live in CO though with a lot of mountainous,hilly driving
at high speeds.. 4 wheel drums just arent worth it to me.. (same with
a single master Cyl -swapping to duals -- but thats a different topic)

My only car with 8 lugs is the 65 2+2 and I'll have to decide when I get to
that one if I want it to be a show car ( Stock- seldom driven- so keeping 8lugs ) or making it a
driver ( keep 8 lug setup with car but change to 5x5 Disc/Drum setup)

Good Luck

John

I contacted him already, but 14" wheels won't clear, and that's what I'm trying to mount on.

Will the Safari setup for 14" wheels? And is that a direct bolt on for a 65 Catalina?

[tharkun8]

Originally Posted by roflo619

I contacted him already, but 14" wheels won't clear, and that's what I'm trying to mount on.

Will the Safari setup for 14" wheels? And is that a direct bolt on for a 65 Catalina?

No, sorry.. missed the part about wanting to keep 14s.. Most disc brake
conversions would force 15s at least.. I do recall hearing about some kind
of stock setup that worked with 14s but I had already committed to 15s myself
so I didnt follow up on it. A search on here for 14" disc brake setup might
show something.. might also be an A body only option.. I cant recall.

I presume you have a set of 14" steelies or something ? obviously removing
the 8 lug drums means you cant use the stock 8 lug wheels.. so you would
have to use a different set of wheels.

14" wheels I think were phased out after 67-68 ? so anything after 70 would already have 15s.. so the 77 Safari would have had 15s stock.

14s in themselves are getting problematic these days as many 14" tire sizes are being
discontinued and many Darksiders are moving to 15s as a result. I found a set of 15" steelies
in a local yard on a 1978 Olds 98 Regency.. couldnt believe a car that old was in the local Pull n Pay even briefly.
I snagged the wheels and the Qjet off of it and both are going on my 66 Ventura.


John