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A Disc Brake Wheel Option for '56 Dodge
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jsrail
Posted 2010-04-04 1:26 AM (#216995)
Subject: A Disc Brake Wheel Option for '56 Dodge



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I have been trying to find a disc brake wheel option for my '56 Dodge CRL after putting the disc brake conversion on it.  With the large GM calipers, I need about 13" at the wheel mounting surface of the rim in order to clear them.  BS'ing with my neighbor in his garage today, I noticed a bare steel rim sitting on the floor in his garage and asked him what it came off of.  He didn't know, a mutual friend of ours gave it to him a long time ago and it's just been sitting there.  I asked him if I could take it back to my place and try it out on the Dodge fronts.  It fit perfect!  Now I just needed to know what it came off of, and since our buddy is in La Vegas this weekend, I scoured the internet to see f I could find an identical wheel.  The inside rim clears the caliper with about 3/16" to spare and the center bore hole fits almost like a glove on the new aluminum hubs (69.85mm-stock vs. 70.3mm on the Ford rim).  The back spacing is about 1/4" greater than the original wheel, but since the disc brake kit moves the wheels out about 1/2", I don't see this as any big deal.  After searching for a couple hours, I found a website that list hundreds of wheels and hubcaps for most modern cars and trucks.  Sure enough, the wheel fits 1993-2001 Ford Explorer, 1993-2005 Ford Ranger, and 1997-2001 Mercury Mountaineer.  There are probably other rims around these makes and years that will work, but this is an exact match so I won't have to buy a 5th rim.  I also tried my full '56 Dodge hubcaps and they fit perfectly and though I didn't bounce the rim, they don't seem like they will come flying off easily.  Some of these Ford products came with full wheel covers as an option, so the rims are made to hold them.

If you are using the "B" body calipers, I believe those calipers are shorter, so you probably don't have such clearance issues and can disregard this info.

Anyway, thought someone might find this useful and not have to spend the time searching as I did, though I was really lucky anyway.  These rims are 6" wide, but finding a 5" or 5 1/2" disc brake wheel, I've found, is extremely difficult in a 15" and 5 lug wheel.  The only thing I haven't tried yet is fitting them under the rear fender.  But since the car is on front jack stands facing uphill on a sloped driveway, I'm not eager to try jacking up the rear body yet, but I think I'll be fine.  I don't think I would want to try a 7" rim though, it's a real tight squeeze!

Jay

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1959 Belvedere Conv
Posted 2010-04-08 11:46 PM (#217766 - in reply to #216995)
Subject: Re: A Disc Brake Wheel Option for '56 Dodge


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Jay, interesting that the Ford wheel will fit your 56, Good to know if I am in a similar situation looking for Disc brake clearance with wheels. the rest of your conversion going well?
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jsrail
Posted 2010-04-09 12:49 AM (#217771 - in reply to #217766)
Subject: Re: A Disc Brake Wheel Option for '56 Dodge



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Haven't had much time to do anything else right now, but the only thing left is to mount the m/c.  I picked up a nice '56 Dodge power brake set-up a few days ago that I'm going to clean up and use.  The bellows will fit over my dual m/c no problem which is nice.  My one problem is getting the rusted plug out of the intake manifold for the vacuum.  I need the one on my new Edelbrock for the pcv system.  I'm going to try and heat up the plug and see if that will loosen it up.  I need to decide on tires next, but those WWW are getting expensive!
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wbower3
Posted 2010-04-09 1:55 PM (#217824 - in reply to #216995)
Subject: Re: A Disc Brake Wheel Option for '56 Dodge


Walter passed away on Jul 29, 2014. We will miss you, Walt!

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Jay try the full size Furd/Merc big car wheels. The Crown Vic wheels off an '01 will fit my '55 CRL front and rear. These are the aluminum wheels. Don't know if the Furd steelies will allow the Mopar "dog dishes" to fit.

Uncle Walt
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jsrail
Posted 2010-04-09 5:05 PM (#217848 - in reply to #217824)
Subject: Re: A Disc Brake Wheel Option for '56 Dodge



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wbower3 - 2010-04-09 11:55 AM Jay try the full size Furd/Merc big car wheels. The Crown Vic wheels off an '01 will fit my '55 CRL front and rear. These are the aluminum wheels. Don't know if the Furd steelies will allow the Mopar "dog dishes" to fit. Uncle Walt

Walt, I don't have the "dog dish" caps, I have the full wheel covers that came on the CRL.  I bought the even nicer "spinner" (kinda spinner) full hubcaps.  The Ford wheels won't fit the dog dish caps, but I don't ever plan to run those.  I am going down to one place in So. Phoenix that has a lot of wheels, but the older cars they don't seem to keep the wheels.  I've been through two of the larger pick and pull yards and one had nothing and the other had one '83 Cordoba that wheels that would work, but the fronts are stuck on the hubs and I couldn't get them off before my pain got too much for me to take.  I'm still on the hunt, but finding some slim pickens!

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59 in Calif
Posted 2010-04-10 10:32 PM (#217978 - in reply to #216995)
Subject: RE: A Disc Brake Wheel Option for '56 Dodge


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Jay I had a 56 dodge back in early 60's. Those drum brakes worked just fine!! Seems like your going thru a lot of expense and headaches to convert them to disc. Jerry
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jsrail
Posted 2010-04-11 12:12 AM (#217987 - in reply to #217978)
Subject: RE: A Disc Brake Wheel Option for '56 Dodge



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Jerry, I plan on doing a lot of driving and long distance trips, I just more comfortable with disc brakes.  I just have to find ones that will fit, and I already know of one wheel.  I could just order them $45 a piece. but I'm stingy somewhat.  Besides, I'm a hard guy on brakes, and I'm too old to change habits!  If I don't find used wheels soon, I'll just order the repop ones.  It's not realy much of a hassle, I just don't get around too easily anymore with this darn nerve disease.
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voodoo
Posted 2010-05-04 2:01 PM (#221664 - in reply to #216995)
Subject: Re: A Disc Brake Wheel Option for '56 Dodge



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I used wheels off of a late 80's 5th avenue. 15 X 5.5. $6 each at the u-pull-it...
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jsrail
Posted 2010-05-05 12:28 AM (#221766 - in reply to #221664)
Subject: Re: A Disc Brake Wheel Option for '56 Dodge



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I ended up finding a set of 5 steel wheels from a '97-2003 Ford Ranger 15x6 that my full hubcaps fit nicely on.  Around here its really dificult to find steel rims as most yards just pull them and weld two together to set the car bodies on.  They all save alloy rims, you can find a zillion of those, but not steel rims!  One rim came free from my neighbor, and I paid $20 each for the other 4.  Not a great deal like you got voodoo, but they like nice.  But, thanks voodoo for the info, its good to know another wheel that will fit our cars.

Jay

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55coronet440
Posted 2010-05-20 2:16 AM (#224231 - in reply to #216995)
Subject: Re: A Disc Brake Wheel Option for '56 Dodge



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Jay, did you get your brakes finished & bled? I'm getting there with my AAJ swap, am sprucing the engine area up before I put the new m/c on, then will get the adjustable proportioning valve & Wilwood 10 psi inline residual valve plumbed into the rear system. (The '72 Sattelite m/c didn't have the rubber residual valve in the drum port)! Harold
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jsrail
Posted 2010-05-21 2:09 AM (#224443 - in reply to #224231)
Subject: Re: A Disc Brake Wheel Option for '56 Dodge



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Naw Harold, haven't got to that part yet.  Been working on the motor and some issues I had there.  I need to get the power brake mechanisms up and working so I can install them.  Found out that the power brake bellows won't hit my dual m/c, so thats god news, I was worried it would.  I also have to run all new brake lines (side-to-side and front-to-back) and find and install a later rear end.  So, lots to do and little time and cash, but isn't that always the story?  But, I'll get there one day! LOL

Glad to hear yours is coming together well.



Edited by jsrail 2010-05-21 2:13 AM
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55coronet440
Posted 2010-05-21 4:47 PM (#224524 - in reply to #216995)
Subject: Re: A Disc Brake Wheel Option for '56 Dodge



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Yeah I have the time, but cash isn't as plentiful! I am also working on the engine & compartment, cleaning and repainting (kinda like a makeover), plus I had the rad cleaned out so it looks way better and hopefully will cool the 440 in parades & traffic snarls. BTW, check out my new voltmeter pics in the electrical section!
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