Scottie-GNZ Posted May 14, 2002 Share Posted May 14, 2002 This is for the near future, but nothing like planning ahead. I plan to upgrade my front brakes to match the 11.5" Vette rear brakes. Not sure what I will be doing for brakes yet, but the obvious choice would seem to be the matching C4 12" or C5 13", if I can figure out how to adapt it. I can get the C4 for a song, but if it is too complex or about the same as one of the kits, then I will go the simplest route. However, the point of this post is to figure out how to fit the 17x8.5, 5-4.75, 35mm offset wheels. It seems obvious that it is not possible to punch out that lug pattern on the stock 71 hub. A 4-4.5 to 5-4.75 is the obvious answer, but the maximum thickness has to be .75". Is that even possible considering you need space to bolt down the adaptor to the original 4 lugs? What about this hairbrain scheme? Turn down the diameter of the hub to about 4.25", right at about the bottom of the original hole for the lugs. Make a steel disc, 5.25" in diameter with a 4.25" hole in the middle and drilled for the 5-4.75 bolt pattern. The disc would then fit over the hub, centered, trued and welded front and back. The thickness of the disc would be whatever I want. Comments welcomed but go easy on me . How much clearance is gained by going from a stock spring to a 2.5" coilover? Since the strut angles away from the wheel/tire as it goes up, how much addditional clearance would be gained with the additional 1" of radius going from a 15" to 17" wheel? TIA, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted May 14, 2002 Share Posted May 14, 2002 Back when I was setting up my front brakes the hot setup was using the stock rotors, with Toyota calipers. The thing was I wanted to use some Weld Wheels I had but they had a Chevy bolt pattern. I was in the garage and had a set of Chevy drum hubs that came off my '62 Impala (swiched to discs).So for the hell of it I tried them on the Datsun spindle, and they fit perfectly, even the bearings fit like it was made for a Chevy hub. So I adapted the stock rotors of the Datsun to the Chevy drum hubs, and used the Toyota calipers,and my Weld Wheels. What I'm getting at is, the stock Chevy hub should fit your spindles, give it a try. Then all you have to do is figure out how to mount the calipers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie-GNZ Posted May 14, 2002 Author Share Posted May 14, 2002 If that works I am going to find you and give you a big smooch. OK, hug. OK, handshake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted May 14, 2002 Share Posted May 14, 2002 Ahhhh, Scottie I didn't know you cared!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno74Z Posted May 14, 2002 Share Posted May 14, 2002 Scottie, Not a harebrain:bonk:idea at all I hope. I believe I am the only person on HybridZ who has done a complete cut and re-weld of the front hubs – let me explain. I purchased custom 5 lug wheels prior to doing my front brake conversion which was a very bad mistake. I could not return the rims for a refund and I did not want to eat the cost for another set of rims so I was in a real quandary. The five lug 300ZX hubs push the track outwards about 1†on a side and I did not know this! I took the 5 lug hubs to my machinest/weldor friend and explained the situation to him. After a few days he came up with this. He parted the flange part of the hub (the area that lugs bolts are located) from where the bearings sit (the bearings still sit in their original location). He machined a pair of matching seats on both parts and then welded both together – very, very carefully as this is a high grade of cast iron which requires a special welding technique. After letting the parts cool for a few days he machined both front and back surfaces of the flange. This was to remove any welding irregularities and now the 5 lug hub flange is at the same offset as the original 4 lug and the rims fit within the wheel well. Wow - I hope this explanation makes sense to you. I realize it is not quite what you want to do but it possible to weld the hubs with care. I like your idea of machining basically concentric circles together vs. parting the flange from the hub like I did. I can always try this method at a later date if needed. Lesson learned. Don’t order rims until one does all brake and suspension work first! I just read that a Chevy hub may work on the Datsun spindle. That is very interesting and I was always curious about the interchangeability of hubs from manufacture to manufacturer. Just be careful that the Chevy hub mounting flange is at the correct offset that you need for your application and current rims or you will be in my situation. Danno74Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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