HD versus HR front end???

[earlyholdenfan]

I was wanting some info on the differences between HD Drum and HR Disc brake front ends, I have a HD front end and want to cahnge is to fit early holden,
I was told the cross member itself is the same for the two models, but was wondering if everything else is ... Suspension arms etc, That way I could source some HR disc spindles and voila??
I also have the steering for the HD is it the same as the HR or should I scrap it all and start again???
Matt

[fe hotrod]

 ;)Goodaye matt,some good news for you HD andHR frontends are exactly the same,including wishbones,balljoints,springs etc etc,to  run discs you will need some hr disc brake spindles etc,and depending on what your putting them on you will have to change the rear wheel cylinders as well to hr disc rear cylinders so you get the right proportioning,otherwise the rear brakes will lock on and send you into a skid!!!!HD and HR steering is the same also...hope that helps you out!! ;)jamie

[earlyholdenfan]

Thanks Jamie,
That is exactly what I wanted to hear!
now all I have to do is chase up spindles and a rear end with the right sized wheel cylinders!
Thanks again
Matt

[fe hotrod]

 ;)matt if you give hoppers stoppers in werribee a ring they will be able to supply you with the correct cylinders for your application,and they are a friendly bunch of blokes aswell,that way if your running a HD rear end all you need is the disc brake rear wheel cylinders...they will advise you on what you will need to do!!!jamie

[Jockster]

Matt
You need to make sure that you have a late model HD front end (1966) not early as the early front ends didn't have ball joints but were the same setup as early Holdens.
Cheers
Jock

[earlyholdenfan]

Thanks Jock,
I was unnaware of the little abnormality! it definately has ball joints (thought I had better check after your post!)
Matt

[fe hotrod]

 ;)jockster,s right the very early ones did come out with left over EH king pin frontends as they had plenty of em leftover,although ive owned a couple of HD,s and never seen one,so id say they would be fairly rare!!jamie

[Dr_Terry]

Hi Guys.

The kingpin type front end was fitted to all HDs from start of production to the end of June '65.

From July onwards they were all ball-joint, irrespective of whether they had drum or disc brakes.

Dr Terry.