Disc Brake Swap for 1965 1500

Tech tips and how to's

Moderators: notoptoy, S Allen, Solex68

Post Reply
GFC
Roadster Newby
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 7:45 am
Location: Walnut Creek, CA

Disc Brake Swap for 1965 1500

Post by GFC »

Hey everybody, i was wondering what the best and most cost efficient (cheapest) disc swap for the 1965 1500 is. i found a lot of conversion kits and guides, but they are all for the 1600 and most of them require 14 inch wheels. Also should get a new master cylinder and proportioning valve if i do swap the brakes? i really want to get rid off these damn drums they suck! and yeah sorry for not staying true to the Roadster but i'm going to be doing a lot of driving and i want to my car to able to stop without too much hassle :)
Toptech360
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 661
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:59 pm
Location: Bellingham, Washington

Re: Disc Brake Swap for 1965 1500

Post by Toptech360 »

Don't toss the old parts!

The drum brakes on my 1500 work really well, its too bad your results are not the same. Will you be the one doing the work yourself?

Others will have better advice but i think you will need different spindles (from a 1600) and 14" or larger wheels at minimum.
Dan
1964 Datsun SPL310. The Datsun
1997 Toyota Tacoma LX 4wd. The Truck
2009 Subaru Forester XT.
2017 Toyota AWD Swagger Wagon.
GFC
Roadster Newby
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 7:45 am
Location: Walnut Creek, CA

Re: Disc Brake Swap for 1965 1500

Post by GFC »

Toptech360 wrote:Don't toss the old parts!

The drum brakes on my 1500 work really well, its too bad your results are not the same. Will you be the one doing the work yourself?

Others will have better advice but i think you will need different spindles (from a 1600) and 14" or larger wheels at minimum.
Yes i do, and i'm not planning on tossing the old parts :).
User avatar
fj20spl311
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 5009
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2005 3:54 pm
Location: San Diego, Ca

Re: Disc Brake Swap for 1965 1500

Post by fj20spl311 »

I don't know.......my guess is you might have to get hubs from a disc brake car if yours don't have a mounting surface on the back side.
If I was doing the conversion, I would find a rotor with about 260 mm diameter and 45 mm hat ofset that either has a 4x114.3 bolt pattern or can be drilled to that pattern. The center hole size needs to less than 76 mm. Then you need to find a caliper that will fit over of the rotor with a bolt pattern of 3" ideal to 3.5" ....best to have a piston area - one side - of about 3-4 sq. in. You will need to either make caliper mounting brackets or modify stock one......

Brake master cylinder set-up is an additional problem....maybe just use residual valves, proportioning valve and a 7/8' or 1" single cylinder.
Phil
67.5 SRL311-00148 Blue (FJ cruiser VOODOO Blue)
67.5 SPL311 FJ20E teal SDS EFI
69 SRL311 SOLD
19 Raptor SCAB
User avatar
fj20spl311
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 5009
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2005 3:54 pm
Location: San Diego, Ca

Re: Disc Brake Swap for 1965 1500

Post by fj20spl311 »

maybe a Wilwood Dynapro Single --- Piston area is less than I would like, but high friction pads can compensate.
the version I would consider has " Piston: 2 Piston Area: 2.40 Pad Volume: 1.1 Mount Description: 3.25" Lug Mount Rotor Width: 0.38"
With 200sx, Sentra, Stanza-- rear rotors I know there is a 10 mm thick rotor about 260 mm Dia.with 4 x 114.3 bolt pattern. That many have used as a rear disc conversion for their roadster.
Last edited by fj20spl311 on Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:23 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Phil
67.5 SRL311-00148 Blue (FJ cruiser VOODOO Blue)
67.5 SPL311 FJ20E teal SDS EFI
69 SRL311 SOLD
19 Raptor SCAB
GFC
Roadster Newby
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 7:45 am
Location: Walnut Creek, CA

Re: Disc Brake Swap for 1965 1500

Post by GFC »

i'll look into that thanks
User avatar
fj20spl311
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 5009
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2005 3:54 pm
Location: San Diego, Ca

Re: Disc Brake Swap for 1965 1500

Post by fj20spl311 »

There are also vented rotors that can be used if you are going to be driving the car hard....LOL
Phil
67.5 SRL311-00148 Blue (FJ cruiser VOODOO Blue)
67.5 SPL311 FJ20E teal SDS EFI
69 SRL311 SOLD
19 Raptor SCAB
User avatar
datsun1500
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 1335
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:24 pm

Re: Disc Brake Swap for 1965 1500

Post by datsun1500 »

Best and most cost efficient would be from a later Roadster. They swap right over, and stop fine. You will need to go to 14 inch wheels though.
I remember when no one wanted the 1500s......
User avatar
dbrick
Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
Posts: 10084
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 11:05 pm
Location: Kenilworth, New Jersey

Re: Disc Brake Swap for 1965 1500

Post by dbrick »

datsun1500 wrote:Best and most cost efficient would be from a later Roadster. They swap right over, and stop fine. You will need to go to 14 inch wheels though.
I did it on my 64. Just supported it by the lower control arm to keep the spring compressed and unbolted the whole spindle assembly at the ball joints and swapped one in from a 69. You may need a 66-67 master cylinder, I think, to get the right size bore.
While you're in there, check the upper control arm bushings, good chance they are worn.

Dave Brisco

Take my advice, I'm not using it"

66 2000 The Bobster
64 1500 in pieces for sale
1980 Fiat X1/9
2009 Volvo C-70
08 Expedition EL, STUPID huge but comfy
1962 Thompson Sea Lancer, possible money pit
ekdumancas
Roadster Newby
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2020 6:45 am
Location: Victorville, CA
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5

Re: Disc Brake Swap for 1965 1500

Post by ekdumancas »

Disc Brake Conversion for my 64 1500-

Hello everyone, I want to upgrade my 64 1500 front drums to disc. I can do it myself if I have all the parts. Spindles, hubs, which disc package, master cylinder or if there any recommendations to a shop that is near Victorville, CA. Can I get some assistance with a parts list? Also, if anyone has spindles / hubs they can let go of, and disc, master cylinder that are up for sale, I am ready and able to make a purchase. Thanks,

Ed
devo
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 536
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 7:58 pm
Location: Texas
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5

Re: Disc Brake Swap for 1965 1500

Post by devo »

ekdumancas wrote: Wed Dec 13, 2023 1:01 am Disc Brake Conversion for my 64 1500-

Hello everyone, I want to upgrade my 64 1500 front drums to disc. I can do it myself if I have all the parts. Spindles, hubs, which disc package, master cylinder or if there any recommendations to a shop that is near Victorville, CA. Can I get some assistance with a parts list? Also, if anyone has spindles / hubs they can let go of, and disc, master cylinder that are up for sale, I am ready and able to make a purchase. Thanks,

Ed
Here is a set on EBay, not mine.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285590082295?h ... R66km7KMYw

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285590081280?h ... R66km7KMYw
Post Reply