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Index > Suspension > Thread: Rear Disc Brakes
Thread: Rear Disc Brakes
jfaplanet


Redlining
Posts: 356
posted February 26, 2002 05:26 PM

Rear Disc Brakes

I've been doing some thinking lately and was wondering if it would be possible to adapt a set of the rear disc brakes from a GSL-SE to the REPU rear end. I don't think it would be that hard to have the rotors drilled for the 6 lug wheels and mounting brackets for the calipers should be easy to cut off of the GSL-SE rear. Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas they would like to share. I'm am looking at possibly getting my REPU (project truck) sometime in the next 3 weeks. I will also be getting a 84-85 GSL-SE for parts. 13B-FI and 5 speed for the truck. Along with all the spare parts to finish the 83 GS project that is sitting in my yard since Dec. If anyone out there in the Southeastern US has a decent BED for the REPU I will be looking since the one that I'm getting is mostly rusted out and has a serious dent in the drivers side wheel opening. The truck comes with a spare cab that has minimal rust but I'll know more when I get it here to the house. Also my email address will be changing in the next couple days so anyone that has email'd me directly please change it to crgj@comcast.net.

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Klaus43


Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
posted February 27, 2002 10:36 AM

Congrat's. on your project score!

...rear discs on a REPU would be nice, but... I'd be thinking about how to improve the suspension/handling first, because that brake swap sounds like a lot of work when certain other aspects might yield more immediate benefits.
Once you're driving it you'll know what I mean... I personally would want bigger, better brakes in front as well, though an independent rearend would do nicely for autocross...(HA!) But none of this means much without a complete frontend rebuild, and I still need the fatter swaybar too... let's not forget the LSD in the rearend--the only cure for 1-wheel drive... and what rack-and-pinion unit can we adapt in???
Back to basics: soften the rear springing, stiffen the front... No question, rear discs'd be a nice step... Is there a better way to lower than cut springs/ 'ghetto' blocks that's actually feasible? More power to ya!

       
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Rotor


Revvin Up
certifiable rotorhead
Posts: 70
posted August 23, 2002 12:12 PM

SE discs would be a little small, in my opinion. I'd probably go to the boneyard, and try to get a rearend from one of these SUVs or late model 6 lug PU's and either swap the whole rear end, or just use the calipers and rotors from one. Spring mount pads are available from several sources, and they are real easy to mount.

You would need an upgrade of the front brakes, for sure, to go with that. I think the easiest way to upgrade the front brakes would be with a slip on rotor, and machining the stock fron hub to fit the rotor. Once again, caliper brackets are not a big deal to fabricate, and either weld or bolt to the spindles.

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ROTOR

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Draggin_2600i


Redlining
Posts: 235
posted August 23, 2002 12:16 PM

Some Isuzu trucks came equipped with rear discs. They would probably be late 80's early 90's Isuzu P'UP or spacecabs. The only thing i am not sure of is the gearing? But they are six lug.

       
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woooody


1st Gear
Posts: 25
posted August 23, 2002 12:35 PM

I don't think you can use a different rear end without swapping rear diffs. The Ring and Pinion on an REPU is 5.29, I thought. Most in the junkyards will be 3.73 or 4.10's.

Is the rear the same as a ford 9"? I thought it was pretty Mazda specific.

Ross Woody
74 REPU
Vallejo, Ca

       
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Rotor


Revvin Up
certifiable rotorhead
Posts: 70
posted August 23, 2002 12:47 PM

Never saw a 5.29 ratio listed in the Mazda spec books. As far as I remember, the '74-'75 autos had a 4.88, manuals had a 4.6, '76's had 4.11, and '77's came with 3.9s.

You are correct, in that the entire rear end, including the diff, would have to be changed. To the best of my knowledge, the diff on a REPU is not interchangeable with any other diff, except B series/Courier. There is where the big advantage to a rear end swap could be found. You will have a greater availability of gear ratios, and diff options such as a limited slip/posi diff.

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ROTOR

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rotarypwrd


Revvin Up
Posts: 55
posted June 29, 2003 03:58 AM
Edited By: rotarypwrd on 29 Jun 2003 04:00

entertaining upgrade brake ideas for the repu (rear disc+larger front discs) and had a thought.

the TII repu @ checkpointmotors.net is using 1997 Isuzu Rodeo wheels(rims) 6lug.

why couldn't we go a step further and use its front and rear rotors and calipers, same 6 lug bolt pattern. how much work would be involved?

our front discs run about 10.5" in diameter, while the Isuzu's run 11-12" ( it's a 4000+ lb. vehicle needing more bigger discs to stop all that weight) that's some helpful stopping power for the front and rear of a repu.

below is a link to someone who has successfully done the conversion for the rear:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/mazdarepurotaryenginepickup/message/113

what are your thoughts about the potential upgrade for the fronts and rear fellow "repu" heads?

rotarypwrd

       
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brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted June 30, 2003 10:08 AM
Edited By: brad on 30 Jun 2003 10:10

sounds promising

I have a 99 Isuzu Amigo, same front end as Rodeo. In 98 they changed the entire truck. Next time I regrease the front wheel bearings on the Amigo I might see if the big rotor will fit on REPU spindle (hopefully) or mabye take measurements. . .

I'd still like to hear if a LSD unit from B2000/B2200 would accept REPU 4.65 ring and pinion, and still bolt up to REPU rear.
____________
-brad-
74 REPU Lawn Green
81 Rx-7 racecar. 12a J-
Bridge

       
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brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted December 08, 2003 03:28 PM
Edited By: brad on 8 Dec 2003 15:30

ressurecting an old thread for some reason...

Just pondering a brake upgrade...

I measured REPU front disc @ approximately 10.0 inches diameter and non-vented solid thin disc. My 99 Isuzu Amigo is 11.4 inches and a thick vented disc with a big caliper.

It sure would be nice to have a good solid front disc brake that instills confidence. Those Amigo discs would require 15" wheels to clear the caliper.

Something like this would probally require a bigger brake master cylinder to effeciently push fluid and not have too much pedal pressure required.

And have late model parts availability. Porterfield makes R4S pads for 2nd generation Amigo/Rodeo.........
____________
-brad-
74 REPU Lawn Green
81 Rx-7 racecar. 12a J-
Bridge

       
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tdaaj


1st Gear
Posts: 35
posted December 16, 2003 09:04 PM

trooper reaer end

i've got a '91 trooper that i was thinking of using for a swap on the rear ends. i'm into datsuns too and i've looked at both of my trucks and looks like it would be fairly easy to swap in. might have to relocate the spring perches and figure out a u-joint configuration burt looks promissing. i think the gears i have are like 4.30? but i know there is also 3.77's too.it'd be slow on the take off but.....
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the more rust, the lighter it is, the faster it goes.

       
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brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted December 16, 2003 10:00 PM

i'D want at least a 3.90

but a 3.77 would sure get better gas mileage!

i know some isuzu trucks had 4.68 and rear discs. need to relocate spring perches and take a good look at where the pumpkin is located but that sure sounds like a winner to me.

of course mabye fabbing brackets for rear discs off a B2200+ might be a simpler way to go.
____________
-brad-
74 REPU Lawn Green
81 Rx-7 racecar. 12a J-
Bridge

       
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rotormunky


Redlining
Orlando, Florida
Posts: 424
posted December 16, 2003 11:26 PM

Tell me more Brad . . .

quote:
but a 3.77 would sure get better gas mileage!

of course mabye fabbing brackets for rear discs off a B2200+ might be a simpler way to go.


You got my attention. I didn't know the B2200+ had rear discs.

You happen to know if those came w/ LSD?


____________
-Martin
Orlando, Florida

http://www.themonkeyhouse.org/REPU

'77 REPU (Some assembly required :)
'91 Cabrio (Battered and bruised, but she's still my baby.)

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brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted December 18, 2003 02:34 PM

dunno. no solid info is on the net about the brake size and lsd of b2200+.

except for new stuff for sale on mazdausa.com

i'd love to find a database of all this info and pick what year had rear disc, lsd, r&p same size as repu, etc......

if anything i know that 98+ isuzu rodeo and amigos had some models with rear disk brakes. and they have the same bolt pattern. mabye grab their rear brakes and fab.

i just don't have the time to do all the legwork on this
____________
-brad-
74 REPU Lawn Green
81 Rx-7 racecar. 12a J-
Bridge

       
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J-Ro


1st Gear
Village Idiot
Posts: 23
posted December 18, 2003 03:10 PM

Ford 9", nuff said. Tons of ratios that slap right in, get a Lincoln Versailles from the junkyard and and it comes with disk brakes. It will take a bit of work without a doubt to get it shortened and adjusted, but it's a 9" w/disk. Best bet would be to get a pre-fab out of a Hot Rod magazine that comes custom made to your specs, gear ratio and what not, probably a lot cheaper with a LOT less work. I understand that most of our budgets are VERY limited so it basically depends on what do you want to spend.

If you have ready access to a machine shop and all the goodies then I recommend the Versailles route but ymmv.
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http://www.socalrxclub.com
http://www.sevenstock.org

       
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Klaus43


Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
posted December 19, 2003 11:20 AM

Good point, J-Ro...

...only reason not to might be the cost... Personally, my priority would be the LSD anyway; prior to that there's little point in the rear discs, for me anyway... be too cool to get the whole package affordably, though--and with the correct bolt pattern...!

       
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tdaaj


1st Gear
Posts: 35
posted December 19, 2003 12:20 PM

problem with the lincolns is they are few aND FAR INBETWEEN. THEN YOU HAVE TO NARROW IT. IF YOU HAVE NARROW A REAR END YOU CAN HAVE ALL SORTS OF OPTIONS FOR AXLES. I MEAN A PERSON COULD USE a 3rd or 4rth gen iroc camaro or an early lincoln continental, t-birds from the '90s or the possibillities are so broad.so why not stick with some thing that is already narrow and has th 6 lug bolt pattern. i think it would be much easier. of course you could go for a jag or corvette rear.

the pumpkin on the trooper rear is centered.
____________
the more rust, the lighter it is, the faster it goes.

       
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brad


Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
posted December 19, 2003 12:58 PM

has repu ring and pinion

been measured and confirmed to be a ford 9"?

I understand that Mazda only made three sized ring gears:

6"
7" (1st gen Rx7)
8"


____________
-brad-
74 REPU Lawn Green
81 Rx-7 racecar. 12a J-
Bridge

       
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tdaaj


1st Gear
Posts: 35
posted December 19, 2003 11:37 PM

most likely 8", cause i think some of the versailles were 8's. and most all toyotas trucks were the equivilant of the ford 8 also.
____________
the more rust, the lighter it is, the faster it goes.

       
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thestilettoman


Newbie
Posts: 6
posted March 20, 2004 05:37 PM

With all this talk about swapping rear ends, I just want to know if there is a source for rear wheel cylinders. The book for the Courier shows only one wheel cylinder on each side. Will that wheel cylinder work on the REPU?

I am new to this forum, but I have an extended cab (5 inches) REPU that I built about 8 years ago, if anyone would like to see photos. I have not yet figured out how to post photos here.

I also have adapted 1990 RX-7 front and rear brake discs and calipers to a 1984 RX-7. I don't think this has been done before. My machinist could provide the parts, but it won't be cheap. I needed the stopping power because I aslo installed a pumped up Ford 5.0 V8. Again, I have lots of detail photos if anyone can tell me how to post them.

thestilettoman@msn.com

       
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