JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

GEORGIA_2001_SE — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 14:13:26 -0600

Thanks Rallyrs, I really >>>DIDN'T<<< consider the bone yard, previously I purchased 1 wheel like what I have stock to replace a cracked one and it was inexpensive, I'll work on that first.

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

RALLYRS — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 11:05:57 -0600

I edited my post above..fixed some bad info....

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

GEORGIA_2001_SE — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 08:21:52 -0600

RALLYRS, My name is in the footer, is this what you want?

Anyway, concerning the PRETTY GREEN TUBULAR stuff, looks great but I have a idea IF weight isn't a problem, not sure the weight of the tube fabrication vs. stock but my idea I believe could be made solid with NO welding involved to brake, proably would NOT bend in worst case senarios, maybe the ONLY hangup with my design would be NO adjustments, BUT adjustments COULD be built into a design, in other words precise measurements would be needed for fab to give you end result you want in fitup, NOT familiar with the rear end setup that well.

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

GEORGIA_2001_SE — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 08:09:32 -0600

Who made the pretty GREEN tubular stuff? Have you tried it out yet? What about solid sheet steel stock the width of the length of the bushings you have? Are you more concerned about weight or strength? I work in manufacturing with 40 years of experience in QC and dealing with special steels/tensile strength etc.

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

GEORGIA_2001_SE — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 07:58:38 -0600

Thanks RALLYRS,
I'm not excited about the grinding either.
a) 5MM spacer? Where does this go? I'm assuming behind the wheel, do I have to make such or purchase? and are there additional requirements? If so what?

I'm looking for the "best/safest/quickest" LEAST costly, since this is a daily driver, can't have car tied up over a day on a ramp somewhere.

This car has OVER 200,000 miles still running great so just want to upgrade brakes.

Currently don't have the xtra bucks for wheels & tires, OBAMACARE has about deleated most of my play money.

b) when I signed up I went to profile & put name in that location, NOT trying to skirt requirements, I'll review site and correct VIOLATION.

c) For the PRO drum guys, yes thus far the drums have done well but recently a bearing went out due to Ford dealer didn't tighten nut up properly for one of those freebie inspections, and a few days after when it went out I had another shop do the rear brakes, IF I had of had the conversion stuff it would of been done then, PLUS, give me a rear disc anytime just for the ease of pad replacement.
Thanks fellows

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

Clayto — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 17:54:17 -0600

Silly drums. When u guys are done swapping out to new bits maybe there can be a holiday tree made out of all the unwanted drums and parts;)

Merry Christmas!!

ps. Holiday Mimosas make me a smart ass:)

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

RALLYRS — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 16:46:17 -0600

Quote
GEORGIA_2001_SE
NEW to the group, I need more details if y'all can help, I'm converting a 2001 Focus SE to the SVT setup, I see here that this setup CAN work with the stock 15" wheel or a special 15" wheel, which is it??
Can I use this setup and GRIND the calipers down to use the FACTORY wheels that came with car?

Any of you guys have pictures of such and/or more details??

I don't want to do the conversion to find THEN I have to rush to get different wheels & tires.
PLEASE help this newby Thanks Joel

First,this site requires a first and last name under your nickname........

2nd..the answer is both..some MAY have fit stock 15's on SVT fronts with a wheel spacer and caliper grinding.

I never liked the idea of grinding down a caliper personally...

A google search will show you several links to focus forums threads with aftermarket wheels that fit as well.

Even some 15's.

Instead If you're tapped better to buy some cheap boneyard 16's or look on the forums for people offloading stockers for cheap.

Is this a rally car or just a street or track car?

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

GEORGIA_2001_SE — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 09:14:54 -0600

NEW to the group, I need more details if y'all can help, I'm converting a 2001 Focus SE to the SVT setup, I see here that this setup CAN work with the stock 15" wheel or a special 15" wheel, which is it??
Can I use this setup and GRIND the calipers down to use the FACTORY wheels that came with car?

Any of you guys have pictures of such and/or more details??

I don't want to do the conversion to find THEN I have to rush to get different wheels & tires.
PLEASE help this newby Thanks Joel

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

ChrisKobi — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:36:55 -0500

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john vanlandingham

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ChrisKobi
JV, I stopped by today in between loads (Moving). Obviously I missed you. Anctous to see what you got. Any pics?

No I've been working. I was down at Bobs for just a few minutes..
WTF is with PMs emails twitter when the phone is right in your pocket?

They look exactly like the last 10 Foucus or Xratty struts.

No Mine are special! All 4 are ready? I was on I5 when I remembered that I needed to stop by, would have called but I don't drive and talk on phone. The 509 exit was coming up so I went for it.

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

john vanlandingham — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:22:54 -0500

Quote
ChrisKobi
JV, I stopped by today in between loads (Moving). Obviously I missed you. Anctous to see what you got. Any pics?

No I've been working. I was down at Bobs for just a few minutes..
WTF is with PMs emails twitter when the phone is right in your pocket?

They look exactly like the last 10 Foucus or Xratty struts.

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

ChrisKobi — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:05:13 -0500

JV, I stopped by today in between loads (Moving). Obviously I missed you. Anctous to see what you got. Any pics?

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

ChrisKobi — Sun, 12 May 2013 11:12:11 -0500

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john vanlandingham
Kobyashi san...you should come visit cause you will be happy....:P

Replied to your E-mail. I am anxious to get out there asap! Whooooooo! :D

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

john vanlandingham — Sat, 11 May 2013 22:00:30 -0500

Kobyashi san...you should come visit cause you will be happy....:P

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

ChrisKobi — Sat, 04 May 2013 18:46:31 -0500

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john vanlandingham

Quote
ChrisKobi
How things going at JVAB?
Been nailing down the rear disc set up. Have distances and design but I need to clock the adaptor plate to move the caliper more towards 2 o'clock position so there's a straight shot at the lower caliper bolt..

Designed the spacer between the plate and the caliper..

We have guests visiting from China (who had their room broken into at the Sea-Tac Red Lion and passport, and credit cards and 5Gs stolen last night while we were down at Sea-Hurst park for picky-nicky and sun down) so just about done today..
Tomorrow front bushings....

Shitty! Sorry that happened to your guests. Hope they get everything all worked out. Was a beautiful day for a picnic though.

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

john vanlandingham — Sat, 04 May 2013 18:23:55 -0500

Quote
ChrisKobi
How things going at JVAB?

Been nailing down the rear disc set up. Have distances and design but I need to clock the adaptor plate to move the caliper more towards 2 o'clock position so there's a straight shot at the lower caliper bolt..

Designed the spacer between the plate and the caliper..

We have guests visiting from China (who had their room broken into at the Sea-Tac Red Lion and passport, and credit cards and 5Gs stolen last night while we were down at Sea-Hurst park for picky-nicky and sun down) so just about done today..
Tomorrow front bushings....

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

ChrisKobi — Sat, 04 May 2013 16:58:26 -0500

How things going at JVAB?

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

ChrisKobi — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:21:28 -0500

Quote
john vanlandingham

Quote
ChrisKobi
John,
So for the springs I just need to order 4 of the 14" #150 springs?
Also.. What are some recommended brands?
Kobi

I'll order springs today. Fronts gonna be 250

Rears 150 or 175.
Max needs some for the rear of his Wabbit and possibly for the fronts as well and a couple of others need too so I'll put the order in.

Excellent! I won't order them then.
Thank you!

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

john vanlandingham — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:18:18 -0500

Quote
ChrisKobi
John,
So for the springs I just need to order 4 of the 14" #150 springs?
Also.. What are some recommended brands?
Kobi

I'll order springs today. Fronts gonna be 250

Rears 150 or 175.
Max needs some for the rear of his Wabbit and possibly for the fronts as well and a couple of others need too so I'll put the order in.

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

ChrisKobi — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:20:41 -0500

John,
So for the springs I just need to order 4 of the 14" #150 springs?
Also.. What are some recommended brands?
Kobi

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

kinetic — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:43:00 -0500

I have 1.5" as well with stock focus wheels.... whatever these bad boys are....

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

john vanlandingham — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:54:11 -0500

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ChrisKobi

Quote
john vanlandingham
Yeah sounds rough but that ET is already a whole bunch more -------> outwards than the ET 49 that Fucci come with...

Thanks for looking, let's hope somebody wif ordinary wheels speaks up.

I've got 1.5 inches from the outside of the wheel to the wheel well.

OK thanks Chris.

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

ChrisKobi — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:23:28 -0500

Quote
john vanlandingham
Yeah sounds rough but that ET is already a whole bunch more -------> outwards than the ET 49 that Fucci come with...

Thanks for looking, let's hope somebody wif ordinary wheels speaks up.

I've got 1.5 inches from the outside of the wheel to the wheel well.

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

NoCoast — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 08:13:18 -0500

Quote
john vanlandingham
Yeah sounds rough but that ET is already a whole bunch more -------> outwards than the ET 49 that Fucci come with...

Thanks for looking, let's hope somebody wif ordinary wheels speaks up.

Will ordinary wheels work with coilovers?

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

ChrisKobi — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:54:41 -0500

I can take a look tomorrow, I have steelies on mine with dmacks on em.

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

john vanlandingham — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:46:26 -0500

Yeah sounds rough but that ET is already a whole bunch more -------> outwards than the ET 49 that Fucci come with...

Thanks for looking, let's hope somebody wif ordinary wheels speaks up.

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

RALLYRS — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 15:30:39 -0500

Quote
john vanlandingham

Can somebody run out and look at the distance from the OUTSIDE of the tire to the fender opening and see if there's 3/4" or so of room?

(I'd love to find a nice 280mm disc that has a 1" deeper hat but....:moody: )

I threw on a gravel tire,because my 7x17 45mm offset Team dynamics and 225/45/17 Conti DWS street combo on my car appeared to be a "hell no"(duh).

Wheel is Braid 15x6 38mm offset 195/60/15 Firestone Winterforce....

Honestly hard to really see properly without pulling the rear spring and cycling(not going to happen today).

Fender gap down to tire on my car in back is about 3.5".

A straight edge against the tire/wheel assembly ends up almost on the outside of the fender....but we know these Foci/Mazda3 go pretty radical in negative camber as the wheel tucks......

However, 3/4" of an inch is quite a bit..Honestly I think thats pushing it....

I wish I had time to pull the spring and cycle,but if I do it would be later this week(maybe).

Can anyone else help?

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

john vanlandingham — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:03:54 -0500

OK boys, the calipers that Eric the Guv sent arrived, looks easy, the question is this. The easiest way to hand the caliper is off a 4 bolt flange behind where the stub axle bolts on.....but that moves the entire assembly out by the thickness of the spacer which I think should be minimum 10-11mm thick...
Then since we're throwing a disc OVER the front of the new hub aka the former drum, there's the face thickness of the disc...another 8-10mm..
Can somebody run out and look at the distance from the OUTSIDE of the tire to the fender opening and see if there's 3/4" or so of room?

(I'd love to find a nice 280mm disc that has a 1" deeper hat but....:moody: )

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

Josh Wimpey — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:48:57 -0500

Might as well use the mk4 caliper --- it is fully interchangeable with the mk1, mk2, and mk3 calipers but is half the weight and has a much superior parking brake mechanism.

Same piston, same pads, Aluminium rather than iron, and mounts to any of the carrier 'frames'

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

kinetic — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:58:48 -0500

The car is completely stripped..... Box goes in this week, then engine and trans back in.... Stock Suspenders currently in there, the site of it just cracks me up, hence the joke photo, kind of reminds me of those stadium trucks..... looking forward to getting your suspenders in soon and getting the testing underway.

Also a new set of Golf Calipers with Pads are headed your way. Keep an eye out around Wednesday or so. Found some in the junkyard but they were way too rusted out so sprung for new ones.

Re: JVl Focus rear suspension and disc conversion

john vanlandingham — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 18:31:03 -0500

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kinetic
John's Focus suspenders came in and we mounted them up. Check out the travel on those suckers...

Is there an engine in the car? And a box?

Why would up so high?.. Sink that bugger down.