'93 FZJ80, Brake upgrade options....

[cme4lyt]

My LC goes thru' brakes like 'stuff' thru' a goose: pads at 20K and rotors at 40K. The brake issue seem specific to the 93 year and it looks like the brakes are better in the latter years ?

What options do I have to convert to a later year setup that will give me better stopping power and possibly lengthen the interval between component canges ?

Thanx in advance...jonathan

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

Search will be your friend. Oodles of threads on brake upgrades.

Upgrading to 100 series pads on the front will be a nice easy upgrade to help you stop a little better and will probably last longer than the stock 80 pads. You can go OEM or upgrade to the plethora of aftermarket pads and rotors out there.

There are a few threads on changing to newer calipers, rotors, etc. Depends how deep you want to get into it

With longevity, the 80 is a heavy truck to start, add on armor, spare parts, recovery gear, beer, and all the other junk we think we need for the trails, they can get real heavy

Welcome to Mud

 

[firetruck41]

I don't think the later year 80 series are any better on brakes than the 93. Many use the 100 series pads in the front. I don't put many miles on, but my braking improved with new Powerstop rotors, EBC green/supreme pads and rebuilt calipers. Can't speak to longevity.

 

[cme4lyt]

Search will be your friend. Oodles of threads on brake upgrades.

Upgrading to 100 series pads on the front will be a nice easy upgrade to help you stop a little better and will probably last longer than the stock 80 pads. You can go OEM or upgrade to the plethora of aftermarket pads and rotors out there.

There are a few threads on changing to newer calipers, rotors, etc. Depends how deep you want to get into it

With longevity, the 80 is a heavy truck to start, add on armor, spare parts, recovery gear, beer, and all the other junk we think we need for the trails, they can get real heavy

Welcome to Mud

Thanx for your advice and welcome !

I spent about 4 hours last night looking all over the web trying to find a comprehensive list of what to do but I never did find the one post that told me all I needed. I'm sure it's here somewhere, I just got tired of searching and reading and searching and reading... It got kinda old after a while !

If the 100 series setup will work without too much 'pain' I'd be prepared to go that way.

Thanx again....

 

[tblume]

x2 on the search and welcome,

you'll get as many opinions as reply's I'm sure, this group will probably favor the OEM stuff, aftermarket bargain hunter that I am I just plunked down on a full boat set from here; One Stop Shop for Brake Rotors, Brake Pads, Brake Kits | R1Concepts.com

still on the shelf until I get an uninterrupted couple days after work to do the job but search again for Jvazquez here; he went the same route a while ago and reports good outcome.

higher dollar aftermarket guy will probably go EBC Brake Pads and Brake Rotors for Cars like I said though- I hunt bargains.

good luck

 

[wpalm00]

have you looked at the rear disk upgrade?

 

[firetruck41]

have you looked at the rear disk upgrade?

What rear disc upgrade?

 

[cme4lyt]

Disc upgrade ?

have you looked at the rear disk upgrade?

Pls share the 'rear disc upgrade'.

BTW, Thanx to all that have answered and/or posted.

 

[tblume]

If the '93 in question has ABS it will have disks out back with the FF axle, some '93-'94 had no ABS, drums, and regular axle, but not many I think. Not sure of upgrading the stock disks out back, but someone may...stay tuned.

 

[cme4lyt]

Mine with ABS and discs

If the '93 in question has ABS it will have disks out back with the FF axle, some '93-'94 had no ABS, drums, and regular axle, but not many I think. Not sure of upgrading the stock disks out back, but someone may...stay tuned.

I have the later '93, discs on rear and with ABS.

Rgds...

 

[cme4lyt]

Still searching...

So, I went off searching... and searching... and searching and eventually found specific threads that all pointed to 100 series pads being used on an 80 series Cruiser. This seems like about the only mod/swap out there unless I missed something ?

So, I'll talk to Cruised Dan in the am and get some 100 pads with some new stock OEM rotors, bleed and flush and then wait for better results.

Thanx to all who viewed and commented.

Rgds...

 

[Brian894X4]

There is no popular upgrade to the 80 brakes for at least the 93-97 with rear full floater and 4 wheel disc brakes. Earlier models with the rear drums might try to upgrade to later year components.

It doesn't sound like you're complaining about braking forces, which many people do. If that's the case, making sure you use the stock OEM parts and make darn sure the system is bleed very, very well seems to be the best solution. The80s are hard to bleed and air in the system is often the problem with mushy pedle, poor braking performance issues.

While OEM parts might not make a noticable difference on some models, for some reason, it makes a huge difference on the LCs. Especially if the pads and/or rotors are a cheaper brand. Might be because the 80 uses the outer limits of the brakes so often, as seen by it's higher than average wear.

Considering how easy it is replace pads, I would just go with OEM pads and replace as needed. Rotors are less fun to replace, but OEM will probably give about as long a service any of the others.

There are threads on people trying to install bigger calipers, bigger brakes or aftermarket brakes, but I'm not aware of any solution that actually proved successful, much less worth the cost and effort. I'd certainly be interested if there was.

The only mod I'm aware of is the 100 series pad mod, which seems to be really popular for extending pad life and supposedly increased stopping power. But some very minor mods are required to make it work. I personally just stick with 80 pads to keep it simple, but I may try the 100 pads someday.

Good luck.

 

[jestlurnin]

Just my 2 cents... I just finished a front axle rebuild and put on brand new rotors and 100 series pads.

I have less than 300 miles on the new set up but can swear I have better stopping power than before. Is that cause I have brand new pads and rotors or because I bumped up to the 100 series pads?

Guess I'll never know but I like what I have going right now.

 

[plrbear]

Ok, I have a stupid question. Are the 100 series pads a drop in replacement or are there any modifications needed? I am going to have to get new pads (and possibly rotors) on my '93 and have been wondering about this myself.

 

[retrofive]

Ok, I have a stupid question. Are the 100 series pads a drop in replacement or are there any modifications needed? I am going to have to get new pads (and possibly rotors) on my '93 and have been wondering about this myself.

Drop in. No mod. I did remove the shim/squeal thingy that was on them however.

 

[retrofive]

FWIW Im really pleased with Powerstop rotos, and whatever fancy shmancy pads came with them in combo with a OEM reman caliper. Longevity? Well It's been 2days now and looks great!

 

[DSRTRDR]

read about "bedding in the brakes" - it worked very well for our 80 (100 pads; the squeal shims were already missing)

 

[Enigma]

What rear disc upgrade?

From factory on a 1990 hdj81

 

[yangaroni]

FWIW Im really pleased with Powerstop rotos, and whatever fancy shmancy pads came with them in combo with a OEM reman caliper. Longevity? Well It's been 2days now and looks great!

would love to hear more about your brake upgrade retrofive. where did u get your rotors, calipers? any mods to make them fit? how much? and last but not least...where can I also buy such a beautiful brake setup?!!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!??!

 

[retrofive]

I bought the PowerStop rotors (just the front) from http://www.ebay.com/itm/140610503268?item=140610503268&viewitem=&vxp=mtr

They came with Evolution ceramics pads. I have found them little cheaper elsewhere but can't remember where.

The calipers I picked up from our local toyota dealership. They are OEM remans. They where $90 per side. Again pretty sure you can find them cheaper.

Wasn't a bad job, but took a little bit. We repacked the bearings and replaced the inner seal. The bearings and races look good.

Nothing needed to be modded and if I don't like the pads they came with i will shove some 100 series pads in there. Stopping power is great and feels really solid.