71 Disc conversion front wheel options?

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loganobrien121
Posts: 165
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2016 12:31 pm

71 Disc conversion front wheel options?

Post by loganobrien121 »

Hey guys,

So finally got around to the front disc conversion on my 71 wagoneer. But theres a slight snag... my front wheels won’t fit over the calipers now.

So... anyone know any other 5 lug wheel options that would fit? Just when I thought it was over :banghead:

Edit: or has anyone had experience with other solutions like grinding the calipers? I’m just frustrated because I went with the conversion instead of an axle swap to keep the stock 5 lug steelies. Feels like a lose-lose if I have to get new wheels now too.
"Betty Blue"
'71 Wag
Buick 350/TH400/D20

"The Bride of Frankenstein"
Green and some uh rust... color...
'73 Wagoneer.
360/TH400
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lkmarsh
Posts: 211
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:35 pm
Location: Modesto CA

Re: 71 Disc conversion front wheel options?

Post by lkmarsh »

What wheels are you using? The caliper has some casting flash on top that can be ground down a little, should be enough
to fit older aluminum 15" rims. 15" steel rims should fit no problem. I'm using Scout II rallye rims, 15" and 5x5.5, they fit fine.
So do my old wagon wheels. Ford, Dodge, International, you have lots of options for rims.
Post up some pics of your new brakes and wheels.
Lyle
69 1414x Buick350/Th400/D20
PDB, HEI, relays, rallyes, rhino, rust...
73 Wagoneer parts donor
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Stuka
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Re: 71 Disc conversion front wheel options?

Post by Stuka »

I am also curious as to what wheels you have. I have not seen a 15" wheel that wont fit.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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tgreese
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Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:31 am
Location: Medford MA USA

Re: 71 Disc conversion front wheel options?

Post by tgreese »

I know the CJ 8" steel Kelsey-Hayes wheels (Ren 1) will not fit over disk brakes. But I would have expected 1971 Wagoneer steelies to work fine.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.

Topic author
loganobrien121
Posts: 165
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2016 12:31 pm

Re: 71 Disc conversion front wheel options?

Post by loganobrien121 »

I have the regular steelies on there but it seems for pre-73 wheels, the wheel rivets wont clear the caliper in the kit. But for later ones that’s not an issue. Ordered the kit over a year ago and forgot it noted that on the product page.

To just deal with it now I took the wheel spacer route. Always been skeptical of them but as im not planning on using this for any heavy wheeling, i think it should be fine.

I love this wag but I do have to admit the small differences for 71s can be pretty irritating. Buut I think I’m out of the woods for a little while!! I’ll be posting pictures of it in the light.
"Betty Blue"
'71 Wag
Buick 350/TH400/D20

"The Bride of Frankenstein"
Green and some uh rust... color...
'73 Wagoneer.
360/TH400
User avatar

tgreese
Posts: 7118
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:31 am
Location: Medford MA USA

Re: 71 Disc conversion front wheel options?

Post by tgreese »

Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
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