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Reply to "Swing axel or IRS"

@Stan Galat posted:

@DannyP, I've always thought that the wheels would be the easier way as well. The trick, of course, is finding somebody willing to recenter the wheels. Commercial shops (around here, at least) aren't going to assume the liability. In theory, it ought to be easier than the trailing arms... but there seems to be more people narrowing trailing arms than recentering wheels. Most common folks aren't going to be able to do what you did.

@Michael McKelvey - thanks. That's good information on the AC Enterprises brakes. I've checked with Danny, and the AirKewld set also doesn't add track (although that kit is not "EMPI cheap"). 20 years ago, that wasn't the case. My 2003 JPS had EMPI 4-lug disc brakes on the back of an IRS narrow-body with 4-1/2" Mangles and 185/65s, which was John's preferred setup at the time. It was pretty much unworkable. In 2004 or 2005, CB came out with their "zero offset" wide-5 brakes (which have been discontinued, but which I have), which added 5/8" per side. Henry checked a lot of kits at the time (everything except for CSPs, I think), and at the time there just wasn't anything.

Anyhow, even with a true zero offset brake package, a guy wanting discs on an IRS pan would still need recentered wheels. I suspect the main point is that there is a brake package available, and that for a while at least, there were some wheels available as well. Does anybody know if the special offset 5-1/2" wheels Carey had are still available?

IM does it all the time they have a sub contractor who specializes in wheels and they can refinish or widen and move the center to whatever you need.  Question of asking and of course paying the cost of it.  My original IM Aircooled has 8 inch mangels like chrome 4 bolt as standard issue on the back axle.  I think they chose to do that then play with the trailing arms.  Maybe they did not know Ron Lummus at the time.  In any case, the rear brakes that IM uses vary from Empi, to VW Jetta Type IV I think is what I have and FYI, the brake pad is the same size as early 911 and it has a mechanical e-brake.

Now to the point of getting hub centric or 944 rear axles that would give you that there are issues there with spacing.  I often think a Slice of Pie ala Bob, on a new build would be nice to give you more options.  

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