Type 3 rear brakes

[DC-Dubs]

This is a continuation of a discussion we were having in the New members section.
Flattop was discussing that in order to increase braking capacity on his 66' that he would use type 3 rear drums and KG front disks.
I was pretty close to an old timer in Montana who had a VW boneyard any enthusiast would envy! His name was Arnie Marsh. Maybe just maybe he is still kicking. (haven't been back to Montana for many years..) but anyway he was a big advocate of better braking and commonly converted type 1 rear drums to type 3 drums which were wider and had wider shoes that stopped better and lasted longer... But it wouldn't be uncommon to see one of his VW resurrections with a multitude of cross sectioned parts and pieces to make one drive!
Yes, you loose the wide 5 pattern. But it will stop better! And if you are working on a budget it makes sense!

[Flattop]

Before I put dics on the back of my racer I had type 3 on it and I found that the braking was a lot better I have found that on most early bugs with a larger motor with more HP the bigger brakes are a asset. You do not have to use the 4 bolt set up you can use the same backing plate with the 5 bolt drum with the same effect. One thing that you have to watch that you must make sure that the drum or hub is the right one for your axle length... If you are running the long axles you should be allright, if you use the short axles you will have to cut about 5/8th of and inch. off the out side of the drum or hub... where the nut is..

I just like the extra braking. I do a lot of highway driving and even in traffic the extra braking is nice....


Wayne