5 x 4.5" Brake Drums

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RustyRatRod

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Is there a brake drum in a 5 x 4.5" pattern that will work with A body 8 3/4" brakes using the small bolt pattern brakes and axle offset?
 
Is there a brake drum in a 5 x 4.5" pattern that will work with A body 8 3/4" brakes using the small bolt pattern brakes and axle offset?
I thought Dr Diff sells those drums re-drilled from the 4'' bolt circle drum.
 
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off the shelf, no.

a redrilled drum is what a lot of folks run (me included). the caveat to this is that you'll need (i think) screw in studs because there's not a lot of meat on the flange and the press in style may foul some of the brake parts.
 
off the shelf, no.

a redrilled drum is what a lot of folks run (me included). the caveat to this is that you'll need (i think) screw in studs because there's not a lot of meat on the flange and the press in style may foul some of the brake parts.
I'm gonna have new axles. I'm just trying to figure out the best way since I have both small pattern and large pattern front disc setups.
 
I'm gonna have new axles. I'm just trying to figure out the best way since I have both small pattern and large pattern front disc setups.
i would say base your decision on what wheels you want to maybe eventually run.

SBP choices are fleetingly thin and mostly 14" which pares down already poor tire selection even further.

but if you're cool with steelies and said tire options then SBP is probably the cheaper way foward-- if you already are rolling in that size.
 
i would say base your decision on what wheels you want to maybe eventually run.

SBP choices are fleetingly thin and mostly 14" which pares down already poor tire selection even further.

but if you're cool with steelies and said tire options then SBP is probably the cheaper way foward-- if you already are rolling in that size.
I am very cool with steelies. I also have some SBP aluminum slots I like as well. I like steelies better.
 
I did not think dr diff(if that is who you are getting the axles from) made bb pattern axles for 10 x 1 3/4 brakes.
 
I did not think dr diff(if that is who you are getting the axles from) made bb pattern axles for 10 x 1 3/4 brakes.
I don't know that he does. The scenario I am likely going with will be 31 spline inner (Ford9") with A body SBP flanges outside. Most likely. I just thought since I had both front disc brake sets for big and small pattern, I would explore my avenue using the big pattern. It sounds like the easiest thing to do at this point is my original plan with the small pattern.
 
i think the boat you're in-- as are most people who swap to BBP is the sticking point of wheels, and to some degree, tires.

so basically it sounds like you're in for axles or wheels. if you're fine with the end game of steelies and potentially smaller, less "cool" rubber and that's the path of least resistance then "it is what it is" i guess.

ultimately the decision is more complex than that and a more difficult answer because of other outside forces: budget, parts availability, future proofing, etc.
 

I just asked Dr Diff today.
He makes BBP axles for SBP brakes, and sells new re-drilled drums.
The A-Body axles listed on his website are 5 x 4.5.

Also, I found this helpful: Converting rear drum brakes from SBP to BBP

The A-body axles listed on my website will not fit stock 5 x 4" bolt pattern brakes with re-drilled drums, but If you leave me a note in the transaction, I will ship you a pair that will fit.

I can also supply a pair of new, re-drilled drums for $150 pair, plus shipping.
 
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