rear brake conversions
- Thread starter eb3
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RunnerUp
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i converted my rear end to disc's and unless you have done it, i dont think you can really say it wont help.
i did it because in florida, mud is everywhere i go and i was tired of killing my drum brakes due to mud. i also did it because with the larger heavier tire, disc's would be an improvement. i dont have actual measurements, but i can tell you that it DOES stop quicker than stock.
the only downside, unless you can find a way around it, is losing your parking brake.
its also interesting to note, that to replace your drum brakes is 500$ and to go to a disc brake is 500$, but you lose your parking brake with the discs (unless you have figured out how to overcome that)
there is some discussion on if the x-case ebrake for tacoma's will work for the 4runner, but i dont have the couple hundred right now to find out.
i did it because in florida, mud is everywhere i go and i was tired of killing my drum brakes due to mud. i also did it because with the larger heavier tire, disc's would be an improvement. i dont have actual measurements, but i can tell you that it DOES stop quicker than stock.
the only downside, unless you can find a way around it, is losing your parking brake.
its also interesting to note, that to replace your drum brakes is 500$ and to go to a disc brake is 500$, but you lose your parking brake with the discs (unless you have figured out how to overcome that)
there is some discussion on if the x-case ebrake for tacoma's will work for the 4runner, but i dont have the couple hundred right now to find out.
I hope to get together with LC Engineering for a stroker engine,and probably a lot more horsepower. I kinda thought the rear axle might have been a slight bit longer. The overall width is about 3 or 4 inches wider, so it would figure. Although, I think the rear disc's would be a great help with stopping. There are some companies that have the e-brake with the kit. Try http://www.tsmmfg.com. They have partial kits with e-brakes. Look around and you can find more. Let me know, be glad to help.
RunnerUp said:
You're right, I have not done it. But for whatever it's worth, my friend's 4th Gen stops no faster than my 3rd. I know it's a heavier vehicle, but the brake feel is no different.
Just out of curiosity, did you actually do a test to see if it does stop quicker? And what were the results? (big gap, small gap?).
I won't lie, I would like rear discs, too (mainly for the ease of servicing). However, it's not worth the hassle of the swap. Not to mention the loss of ebrake.
RunnerUp
New member
p nut said:
the 3rd gen 4runner goes from 60 - 0 in 136 feet
the 4th gen 4runner goes from 60 - 0 in 135 feet
so, chances are you wont "feel" a difference with the difference only being 1 foot. i did do a test of sorts, got my truck up to 45 before i swapped and slammed the brakes, looked where i stopped, and then swapped the brakes and did the same thing... i stopped quicker.
the test wasnt very scientific, so take it with a grain of salt, but i mostly did this swap for ease of changing my brakes and cleaning them. an added benefit was increased braking ability
and eb3... im not too sure those parking brake kits work for us, ive been after a solution for 3 years, but i will cal lthem and find out for sure either way very soon, and also to inquire about their transfer case parking brake...
RunnerUp said:
99% of the reason why the 4th Gen brakes better is because of the front brake size difference (12.5" vs. 13.3"). I'm wondering what those 13.3" rotors will do for the 3rd Gens...
I was also curious as to why the new Tacoma's continue with the drums in the rear. Nobody in the Toyota dealership knew. Some said it was, because rocks get stuck in discs and cause a horrible sound...but I don't buy it. I'm guessing it's to just keep costs down.
As far as the parking brake issue, how is it rigged up in the 4th Gens?
