[DarynCochran3]

Hey guys, I've started to work on converting my Rancher to a 4x4. I bought the donor bike off a buddy and let's just say some of the parts aren't the best lol. Got the front diff off, front case, a arms, etc... pretty much everything off the old bike that I need. The brake drums/front hubs are giving me issues though. One of them is messed up and has one of the 8mm bolts broke off in it. I can't remove the dust cover to get into the drum. I'm wondering if anyone has a decent drum from a 4x4 or if you can take the 2x4 knuckles out and replace them with 4x4 knuckles? Would the 2x4 hubs and drums work? Mine on the bike now are way nicer than the ones off the donor bike. Found one on ebay that I might buy as well. The knuckles are hard to come by used. Just needing some feedback from guys that have actually done it lol. Thanks ?

 

[fishfiles]

Go for the disc conversion and don't spend money on fixing the drum brakes

 

[shadetree]

2x4 knuckles wont work if your trying to go from 2x4 to 4x4 ?. you have to have 4x4 knuckles !. what good would it do to do a 4x4 conversion if your still using 2x4 knuckles ???..lol. thats 1 step forward, 2 back the way I see it ??..lol.

 

[DarynCochran3]

Thanks for replying shadetree, what I meant was is it possible to unbolt the 2x4 knuckles and remove them from the drum assembly, then bolt on my 4x4 knuckles? If not, I think I found a knuckle and drum set on ebay that I'll get. The left is fine, but the right one is the one that won't open.

 

[DarynCochran3]

I'd love to get the disc conversion but if I could somehow keep my 2x4 drum assemblies and just put my 4x4 knuckles on it, that'd be ideal. Not sure if it's possible though

 

[Jeepwm69]

Get 4x4 knuckles and a disc conversion. Any time and effort you spend trying to cobble together stuff to work will be far in excess of what you'll spend just getting the right parts and putting it together the right way.

 

[DarynCochran3]

You guys make a good point. It would be a lot easier to know that everything is new and works as it should. I might try to find another right knuckle and just buy the disc kit. Now I have a question for the kit. Will it work with 14" wheels? I saw one last night that claimed it only worked with 12".

 

[Jeepwm69]

12" or bigger wheels, so you'll be fine. Wheel has to be big enough to clear the caliper and rotor.

Get you a cut off wheel and get that old drum off the 4x4 parts bike, and then remove the brake backing plate so you can get the knuckle out.

 

[DarynCochran3]

I think that's just what I'm gonna do. Thanks for the help guys! I'll keep you updated!

 

[shadetree]

Thanks for replying shadetree, what I meant was is it possible to unbolt the 2x4 knuckles and remove them from the drum assembly, then bolt on my 4x4 knuckles? If not, I think I found a knuckle and drum set on ebay that I'll get. The left is fine, but the right one is the one that won't open.

maybe I am slow here ?, but you can not use a 2wd brake drum !. reason: the brake drum is solid, its not like a 4wd brake drum, where the hub removes from the drum. if your going to make a 2wd into a 4wd ?, then you need 4wd parts all the way around .

 

[shadetree]

parts you need : you need the front 4wd knuckles, you need the front 4wd drum and hub, or..you just need the knuckles off a 4wd machine, then slap a front disk brake conversion kit on it, and call it a day . if it were mine ?, i'd go with the 4wd knuckles, and slap a disk brake kit on it. rims MUST be 12 inch or larger to work with a front disk brake conversion .

 

[DarynCochran3]

Yeah, unless you can take it apart on the silver backing plate side, I can't get into my drum. If that's the case, I'll use an angle grinder and cut off wheel and cut into the dust cover on the front to get it off. ( won't need it,so why try to save it? ?) I think I'm gonna bite the bullet and get the disc conversion. Should I go with Quadrax or SuperATV?

 

[shadetree]

Yeah, unless you can take it apart on the silver backing plate side, I can't get into my drum. If that's the case, I'll use an angle grinder and cut off wheel and cut into the dust cover on the front to get it off. ( won't need it,so why try to save it? ?) I think I'm gonna bite the bullet and get the disc conversion. Should I go with Quadrax or SuperATV?

I use nothing but high lifter front disk brake kits.

 

[Steve Pellizzari]

If this is a 350 you have to unbolt the axel then the drum and hub will come off as an assembly, to use the super atv disk break kit you need to reuse your hub.

 

[fishfiles]

I am keeping SuperATV in business , got 3 300 2wd kits ( modified Rancher 2wd kit ) , 3 300 4wd kits , 2 450 front kits and 2 450 rear kits and 1 kit that I am build a 300 rear disc kit for the 250 rear end ------ have never had to change a caliper or a disc yet as PowerStroke asked , but I think he asked in a different thread --- I see SuperATV is selling brass liner pads now , I think they were like $50 a set

 

[DarynCochran3]

Well, I got it done. The old angle grinder came through tonight lol. You guys were absolutely right. I'm not gonna waste my time at all with buying drum setups. The shape the one I cut was in was terrible. No way you could use it. I accidentally cut one of the bolt holes on a hub but luckily you don't need it for the conversion, at least I'm pretty sure. If I'm wrong please correct me. Definitely gonna have to sand/ paint the hubs and knuckles. I'll add some pics

 

[fishfiles]

Your ok , you don't use the bolt hole that you cut .

 

[fishfiles]

If you buy from SuperATV , if you call them and tell them your are a Hondaatvforum member they will give you another 10 or 15% off , SuperATV is cheaper than Highlifter and much more helpful on the phone if you have a problem

 

[DarynCochran3]

Ok good. And that's pretty sweet lol. Yeah i looked up the price of the highlifter set and nearly crapped myself, definitely gonna go with the super atv set

 

[shadetree]

Ok good. And that's pretty sweet lol. Yeah i looked up the price of the highlifter set and nearly crapped myself, definitely gonna go with the super atv set

and the reason super atv is cheaper ?, their brake pads dont last, and their caliper's are not wilwood like high lifter !. you get what you pay for .