1977 fj. Should i switch to 4 wheel disk brakes?

[rmiranda76]

Hello doing some restoring of my 1977 FJ40 and looking for some advice since its my first truck.
Was wondering if its worth putting 4 wheel disk brakes? I know I will have to change the booster and master cylinder so was wondering if I should just get it ready for all disk brakes. Also down the road I want to put a/c in the truck is it worth moving gas tank?

 

[brian]

just service the brakes you have now, and everything will be just fine.
and what does ac have to do with moving the gas tank, and where would you move to?

 

[rmiranda76]

Was worried about possible smell from gas tank. And I was thinking of moving to rear under truck.

 

[1911]

Personally, I thought disc brakes on all four wheels was one of the best mods ever for driving my 40 on the road. YMMV.

 

[edwjmcgrath]

Your fuel tank is metal. Fumes don't go through metal, but old rubber fuel lines will leak like a sieve.
My suggestion would be to adjust your brakes and replace all of your old rubber fuel and vent lines.
When you are done with this, your truck should stop on a dime and not smell.

 

[lrowe_csp]

Yeah, I'm with 1911 on this! I have never regretted the time and money spent to install four wheel disc brakes on my 74.

 

[myquestoyota]

I have the stock front discs on my 77 and do not see any need to switch, stops just fine. Now the drums on my old 72, that was a different story even after professional adjustment. Better but nothing like the 77 with front discs. Maybe do it when you run out of s*** to do.

 

[brian]

70% of the braking is performed by the front axle......which is already discs.

 

[shelfboy1]

wasnt this ac gas tank thing already covered in another thread?i dont believe you need to change the booster mc unless you want to .try searching a bit as the disc brake thing has been covered many times and will provide valuable information.

 

[SSCR]

My 77 with rear drums stops better than my 2010 Ford Explorer work truck. Just saying...

 

[oregonfj]

My 78 with front disc brakes and rear drums works awesome, either on the street or going down steep trails. I personally will not go through the hassle of converting the rears............

 

[nuclearlemon]

no need to change booster and master to do 4wd brakes, just need to remove residual valve for the rear circuit, but i am also in the group of not thinking it's worth the money. if your brakes are in good condition, they will work just fine, unless you have a bigger motor or much bigger tires.

 

[Landpimp]

I also see no need for rear disc, unless your building a wheeler, but for a stock-ish 40, the front disc are just fine, better than fine really.


heck my 64 FJ45LV with the stock drums all around stops damn well

 

[camcruiser13]

Yes..

 

[Otis]

I also see no need for rear disc, unless your building a wheeler, but for a stock-ish 40, the front disc are just fine, better than fine really.

X2. My stock '82 stops great and has no need for rear disks. I do have rear disks on my '80 which is used for wheeling and the only time I really notice them is when I have to back down a long/steep hill. The disks respond quicker and hold so much better than the old drums when backing down a hill.

 

[myquestoyota]

That and I have heard of an application where you can utilize the rear discs for a parking brake.

 

[subzali]

If you're doing a restoration don't you want to make it the way it came from the factory?

Maybe we're having a misunderstanding of terms here...

My '77 stops awesome with the rear drums and front discs. I actually should probably back off the rear adjustment on the drums because my rears can lock up on dry pavement if I get a little too happy with the brake pedal...

 

[69LC]

I have to agree with 1911 and lrowe_csp.

 

[pbgbottle]

i too think it is worth it . i hated screwing around with the rear wheel cylinders all 4 of them .
they suck especially after they start to sieze up . now your pulling the wheels and drums and cleaing them up and Anti-Seizeing them again .
maybe i just drove in to much mud and water .

put the disc on and be done .

i too did not change master or booster.


my drums did work fine i just got sick of playing with them
and at the time I thought the disc brake conversion was cool



....

 

[hey you]

I recently added a "Manafre" rear disk brake conversion to my 77' FJ40. It does take some moderate mechanical skill, patience, and a couple of bucks. I love the setup and I think its a great upgrade. You won't need to change the booster or the master cylinder to add rear disc brakes, just need to remove residual valve for the rear circuit and add a adjustable proportioning valve. I bent my own brake lines where needed and had rubber brake lines made for me to complete the build. There are several tech articles available and of course this forum.

I used "camcruiser13" brake conversion as an inspiration (and great photos). I also quizzed Georg-"orangefj45". He was very helpful and his guidance was great!

I was reluctant at first to tackle the job. Search the tech articles, there are some great ideas and several will save you time and lots of money.