re-drill rotors?
#140346
10/23/08 03:42 AM
10/23/08 03:42 AM
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Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383
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can a rotor be safely re-drilled from a 5 bolt to a 6 bolt pattern?
I picked up a rear disc brake set-up off a jeep with a 8.25 axle to put onto my 9.25 axle in a dakota...only problem is, jeeps are 5 lug, dakota's are 6. I think I can get a rear disc from an 03/04 dakota/durango to work, but if I can't due to diameter differences, then I'll have to use a jeep rotor and try to re-drill it....if it can be done.
has anyone re-drilled rotors? what is needed to look out for todo it safely?
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Re: re-drill rotors?
[Re: 79powerwagon]
#140348
10/23/08 04:43 AM
10/23/08 04:43 AM
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Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383
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that's kinda what i was thinking, I saw them do it on one of those Spike hot rod/muscle car/truck TV shows, but I also watch them weld spider gears for a locker, eye ball this, wing that, etc. not to mention everything they do that's unsafe with their tools...so, not sure how much I trust them to say "sure, it's fine!" and Ive never talked with anyone else who's redrilled rotors. what if a hole ends up so close to another that you get a figure 8 looking shape? since I'm adding an extra hole, going from 5 to 6. Also, let's say the depth of the drum doesn't quite line up with the caliper if the axle sticks out of the housing further or not as far, is a simple spacer/shim ok to move the caliper mount bracket around as needed? or if I run into that problem, should I forget the whole idea and keep looking for the exact factory set up that I need? 
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Re: re-drill rotors?
[Re: 70Cuda383]
#140349
10/23/08 05:45 AM
10/23/08 05:45 AM
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79powerwagon
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I wouldn't worry about that figure 8 hole, if one is actually created. 5 lugs will hold the brakes just fine on similar weighted vehicles, adding one more hole isn't going to hurt a thing. For more info, go to the library and look for books from the 70's on hot rods and customizing. VW books tended to have lots of how-to's on re-drilling hubs for different bolt patterns, and modifying junk yard parts to the bug chassis's. First and foremost, have fun with the project! 
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Re: re-drill rotors?
[Re: 79powerwagon]
#140350
10/23/08 05:57 AM
10/23/08 05:57 AM
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Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383
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this whole truck has been a fun project!
big block 5 spd manual swap
dropped 2" up front, 3" in the rear
swapped 9.25 axle for the 8.25 that was in it, 4.56s to replace 3.21s, Detriot true trak to replace peg leg, body kit, painted R/T wheels...
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Re: re-drill rotors?
[Re: dgc333]
#140353
10/23/08 07:46 AM
10/23/08 07:46 AM
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70Cuda383
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Quote:
I think you will find it difficult to fit 6 holes on the same diamter as 5 holes without one of them breaking into the 5 lug circle.
The last time I bought rotors for my Dakota (6 lug) they were less than $20 each. Seems like it might be cheaper just to get new rotors.
that is my plan, to get brand new dakota rear rotors that are already 6 lug, but I don't know that they are the right diameter to fit up to the rear disc brake caliper from the cherokee. if they are the same diameter (jeep vs dakota) then problem solved, but the jeep appears tobe an 11" rotor, if the dakota rear disc is only 10", then the shoes will be hanging off the edge of the rotor. if the rear dakota disc is say, 11.5" then it won't fit at all. if the discs are different sizes, then I'd need to use a jeep rotor and make it fit the dakota axle. I would assume that at least 1 of the 5 original holes would be the starting point for the remaining pattern, so that only 5 new holes are needed to be drilled, vs 6 new holes. (then again, I just thought of this, they'd have to be the same diameter bolt pattern, wouldn't they?
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Re: re-drill rotors?
[Re: 70Cuda383]
#140354
10/23/08 08:08 AM
10/23/08 08:08 AM
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79powerwagon
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Quote:
then again, I just thought of this, they'd have to be the same diameter bolt pattern, wouldn't they?
Nope, not at all.
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