4 runner brake installation under stock wheels

[rover67]

wanted to start a new thread showing some pictures of my installation. I went to autozone and got the calipers from a 95 4wd v6 four runner to do the swap with. stock rear brakes and stock Master cylinder on my truck looks like all i had to do was cut the dust shield some and they bolted right up. no mods to the brake lines or anything.

check out the pictures to see where the dust sheild had to be cut. you can see the uncut sheild with no caliper, then the new 4 runner caliper being held up to it, then the dust sheild cut, then the new caliper bolted up. I also included a shot of the wheel over the caliper to try and show the clearance. I know this has been discussed many times, but felt like I might as well post some pictures.

-Marco



great modification BTW. the truck stops like a late model car now. I love it.

 

[rover67]

few more pictures..

 

[Mace]

yep, stock master with v6 calipers works very well

 

[beaufort-fj60]

how much did all the parts run.

 

[rover67]

31 bucks for each caliper, then I had to buy new pins (the ones that hold the pads in) for about 14 bucks for both sides, then brake pads.

rotors were 25 each.

so....

after giving my calipers back as a core $76 for both fronts, and $38 for the pads (went with their Duralast "gold" ones... special...)

a bargain.

 

[Landcruisin'60]

I am doing the same mod. Do I need to get new rotors? Mine look to be in ok shape but should I still get new ones? I picked up my calipers and pads for $120 at Napa. What did you paint them with?

 

[Goode]

I picked up my parts from NAPA as well. I did not replace my rotors when I put 93runner calipers.

Speaking of painting.....is it necessary/good idea to paint the calipers?
I did not at the time I put them on. And a week later they look like s***.
Did I just answer my own question?

Will they last longer if painted?

 

[beaufort-fj60]

are you guys going to do the rears also?

 

[Goode]

Haven't made any changes to the rear. Just new brake shoes.

I'd like to upgrade the rear to disc oneday. I haven't searched a whole lot on it, but I think alot of folks are running GM in the rear.

I am also running the stock master cylinder.

 

[RredFJ40]

I've found that mine doesn't stop any better now. I may switch back to the stock MC (I've got an FJ80 non-ABS now). Then different pads, then new rotors, hmmm.

 

[rmcquet]

One post in the FAQ about brake mods mentioned that he believed that the increase in braking performance came more from upgrading the MC (larger diameter) than from the upgraded calipers.

Does anyone have a view on this?
And it is OK to do one of the mods without doing the other?
Or should they be done together?

 

[Goode]

My stock calipers were all dried up and pads were toast. So I can't really compare the 4runner cals and pads to NEW stock 60 cals and pads. Anything was an improvement in my situation.
Now if you had a 4runner cal in one hand and a 60 cal in the other. You would see how much bigger the 4runner cals and pads are compared.
I did it without replacing the MC. I hear the 80 MC is better when converting to rear disc. The 60 MC is fine for bigger calipers.

 

[ad20k]

Thanks for the pics Marco. This gives me a much better idea about how much trimming I'll need to do. I've got all my parts to do this mod but am just trying to find the time.

 

[rover67]

i did the rears before the fronts... probably a good idea to get the rears up to snuff at the same time that you do the fronts to keep it all even.

no need to get new rotors unless yours are worn out.

Again, I kept my original master cylinder, and the increase in braking performance was phenominal. Also realize that i had rebuilt stock 60 calipers and had good pads on the truck before the 4 runner brakes... so i had a good comparison.

no problem on the pics, just jump into it when you get a chance, have a grinder or a good pair of tin snips handy. it is easier than yo uthink.

-Marco

 

[RredFJ40]

One post in the FAQ about brake mods mentioned that he believed that the increase in braking performance came more from upgrading the MC (larger diameter) than from the upgraded calipers.

Does anyone have a view on this?
And it is OK to do one of the mods without doing the other?
Or should they be done together?

I did an 80 MC in advance and didn't have any big problems. However, in hindsight, I would stick with the stock MC until doing discs in the rear. The FJ80 MC is not meant to be used with rear drums. I'll likely be switching my MC back to stock after McGrew.

 

[agent orange]

One post in the FAQ about brake mods mentioned that he believed that the increase in braking performance came more from upgrading the MC (larger diameter) than from the upgraded calipers.

Does anyone have a view on this?
And it is OK to do one of the mods without doing the other?
Or should they be done together?

I think that guy is full of it, the more surface area on the MC piston the less pressure at the pad. The only reason for a bigger MC is that if you have too small of a piston the pedal travel can be excessive.

I fell into the trap of thinking that a bigger MC is better myself when i was learning, but now i know that its bogus.

-Matt

 

[rover67]

well, kinda, i mean if you put a monster mc on there, you are going to have to push the pedal harder to get the same pressure at the pad.... but the pedal will feel harder also. if you couple that with more agressive pads (rotor eaters) there can be an increase in performance and feel.

on most of the cars we upgrade the front calipers on we also put bigger mc's on also... to keep pedal travel the same and get pedal feel back.. but usually those conversions are also coupled with very aggresive pads.

On the land cruiser, i just upgraded the front calipers and figured i'd see what i got. pedal feel is still good, but the increase in advatage over the calipers you get makes less pedal pressure do more work at the caliper at the expense of some travel that i didn't really notice. stick with the stock mc first and see if you like the feel and travel.... i think most will agree it is more than acceptable and gives a great improvement over stock.

i think this is the general concensus but just wanted to share my experiences...

 

[rover67]

also, i can lock up the fronts now whereas before i could not... that to me translates to "better braking". I mean before the new calipers i had to litteraly stand on the brakes to get the thing to trrryyy to lock the fronts up. now it is easy with little pedal pressure.

 

[GAS-A-LOT!]

soooooo...if igots disc rears... i need the 80 mc?

 

[Dynosoar]

I think the stock master is a 7/8" bore. I upgraded to a 4runner master thats 15/16". The 1/16" made a difference. However, be cautioned there is a point of diminishing returns. I have heard mixed opinions on the 1" FJ80 non ABS master. As a side note I also switched to a 4 runner booster because it came with the master.

Dynosoar