fj40 rear disc brakes?

[petefj40]

I've asked the same question in, "Projects / mods / petefj40's never ending mods" but I thought I'd throw it up here.

I'm sick of the crap building up in the rear drums. So it's time I updated to rear disc brakes. I already have them in the front of my 40.

Suggestions anyone please?

Thanks for any help.

Pete.

[Sadam_Husain]

Talk to H20, hes made a pattern for brackets to put Subaru callipers onto Cruiser axle housings, his axles are semi floating and your's will be full floating but the bolt spacings are the same.

The mid 1980 subaru callipers are a common calliper to use on Cruiser/Hilux conversions and the have the handbrake levers so you can hook your handbrake back up

[petefj40]

Rick at 4WD Accessories suggested I talk to him. He told me about the setup he's using.
But to be honest, I wondered if there was a simpler update that keeps it all Toyota not a bit of this, a bit of that.. I'm sure it works perfectly well. Maybe a 70 series could be adapted?
I'd like to hear what others have done. But thanks anyway Sadam.

[rokhound]

buy a rear axle from a wrecked 100 series.
Toyota never put rear discs on their working commercial range. You can graft on hilux or cruiser calipers, but you will not have handbrake facility (not sure if that maters on all 40# or not). The other issue you have, is that by using 4 pot calipers on the rear, the size of the master cylinder required to pump all that fluid may not be available. The Subaru conversion is simple, well priced and works. It has been used for years, by lots of people, and there is a reason for that.

[petefj40]

buy a rear axle from a wrecked 100 series.
Toyota never put rear discs on their working commercial range. You can graft on hilux or cruiser calipers, but you will not have handbrake facility (not sure if that maters on all 40# or not). The other issue you have, is that by using 4 pot calipers on the rear, the size of the master cylinder required to pump all that fluid may not be available. The Subaru conversion is simple, well priced and works. It has been used for years, by lots of people, and there is a reason for that.

It good to hear.
Cheers rokhound.

[chocolatelustboy]

Hi guys,

this sounds like a nice cheap and easy mod for my 1972 FJ40 - got a couple of questions though:

- which model and year of Subaru calipers are the ones to use?
- How much roughly should I be paying for those parts and the bracket?
- I understand the 100 Series axle is quite a bit wider than the stock FJ40 - anyone got any pictures of what a 100 series axle looks like on an FJ40 or able to advise if it looks odd or ok?
- Am I right in thinking that wider axle would increase stability and reduce roll (to a degree - accepting that I probably also need to look at suspension too)

Thanks for your help.

David

[Sadam_Husain]

Hi guys,

this sounds like a nice cheap and easy mod for my 1972 FJ40 - got a couple of questions though:

- which model and year of Subaru calipers are the ones to use?
Mid 1980's Leonie front callipers, ones with the handbrake on the front wheels

- How much roughly should I be paying for those parts and the bracket?
about $13 each from pick-a-part or whever you can find them
Brackets going to cost whatever the engineering company that cuts them out is going to charge you

- I understand the 100 Series axle is quite a bit wider than the stock FJ40 - anyone got any pictures of what a 100 series axle looks like on an FJ40 or able to advise if it looks odd or ok?
Check Wopass's "Rust Removal" thread

- Am I right in thinking that wider axle would increase stability and reduce roll (to a degree - accepting that I probably also need to look at suspension too)
Yep

Thanks for your help.

David

[wopass]

mines 80 series rear end (and front) that was the easiest rear disk conversion ever ...kinda

bout this much wider


if you get the cable etc from the donor truck it makes the conversion a P.O.P...ish. 80 series has the handbrake on the inside of the disk rotor, small drum assembly and when in good condition works really well. its made to hold a 3 ton bus so works pretty good on a 2 ton 40's

set up of caable arangment best pics showing rear cable set up i have sorry

[petefj40]

I'm very happy with the rear disc brake conversion on my 40. Kept it all Toyota.
Running Toyota MR2 calipers and Prado rotors works a treat. I've got more pad surface area than the Subaru had to offer. So better brakes.
I've heard that if you can't get 100% pad contact you'll struggle to get it certified? Does the Subaru setup have 100%?
The hand brake setup was an even simpler install. Stoked!
I'm glad I didn't go with the Subaru setup but I'm sure it works fine for others.
The only down side was the cost of the laser cut adapter plates.

[chocolatelustboy]

nice clear pics from both wopass and petefj40

wopass - I think I'll leave the axle swapout for a bit later - once I have some sheckles in the bank!

pete - any chance you can give a bit more info re. your setup with the MR2 brakes - in particular:
- where to get the laser-cut brackets and what that cost
- any specific MR2 model / year caliper to use?
- any specific Prado model / year to take the disks from?
- did you need to install a booster?
- how does the handbrake setup work?

If there's a writeup already done - appreciate you pointing me in the right direction

[petefj40]

nice clear pics from both wopass and petefj40

wopass - I think I'll leave the axle swapout for a bit later - once I have some sheckles in the bank!

pete - any chance you can give a bit more info re. your setup with the MR2 brakes - in particular:
- where to get the laser-cut brackets and what that cost
- any specific MR2 model / year caliper to use?
- any specific Prado model / year to take the disks from?
- did you need to install a booster?
- how does the handbrake setup work?

If there's a writeup already done - appreciate you pointing me in the right direction

Tim (Hosehustler) has done the same conversion. I was trying to find his thread on it..

Anyway.

-Adapter plates. I'll get back to you. I may have a set for sale yet.
-Calipers are model SW20 MR2 non turbo.
-Rear rotors are 70 series.
-My 84 Cruiser runs a factory vacuum booster.
-Handbrake. The calipers come with the handbrake set. Cables to each wheel. Replace original handbrake lever n cables with the MR2 set. Real simple install there. A cable to each wheel from the handbrake lever sure beats the stock setup!!

Hope that helps.
I'll PM ya.
Pete.

Was sad to hear Rick at, "4X4 Accessories" here in Chch is shutting down this easter.

[chocolatelustboy]

Thanks Pete.

Hoping that you do indeed have that spare set of brackets for sale. Or a template that I can use - a mate has a CNC machine at work and can probably make a pair for me pretty cheap ;o)

Just a couple more questions:
- is your handbrake mounted on the dash (like mine) or would I need a longer cable?
- Is there anything specific about the MR2 Turbo that means that caliper can't be used? (Just asking in case that's all I can find at Trademe or breakers).
- and also wondered, why the Prado rotors - are the MR2 ones not suitable? Or do the Prado rotors just give you a bigger disk?
- and just to make sure I don't go assuming ... will all of this fit with my 15" wheels? (I've heard of similar mods requiring bigger wheels).

Cheers.

[petefj40]

Thanks Pete.

Hoping that you do indeed have that spare set of brackets for sale. Or a template that I can use - a mate has a CNC machine at work and can probably make a pair for me pretty cheap ;o)

Just a couple more questions:
- is your handbrake mounted on the dash (like mine) or would I need a longer cable?
- Is there anything specific about the MR2 Turbo that means that caliper can't be used? (Just asking in case that's all I can find at Trademe or breakers).
- and also wondered, why the Prado rotors - are the MR2 ones not suitable? Or do the Prado rotors just give you a bigger disk?
- and just to make sure I don't go assuming ... will all of this fit with my 15" wheels? (I've heard of similar mods requiring bigger wheels).

Cheers.

-If you can get them made cheaply you'd be better to go down that track coz these ones I have won't be as cheap. I don't know anyone with a CNC machine. I could send you a template.
-I was told to go for "non" turbo SW20 MR2 calipers as they are best suited to the 70 series rotors. They have 100% contact with pad n rotors. (unlike the Subaru setup)
-On my 84 40 the handbrake is mounted on the floor between driver n passenger. Not sure what your options are there.
-I'm pretty sure the MR2 rotors aren't suited to the FJ40's axles. The 70 series rotors are a perfect for the job.
-I run a 15 inch rim and find plenty of room in there for the brakes.

No probs.
Pete.