Best FJ40 Upgrade Ever (3 Viewers)

[FloridaLife]

I did fronts only. I figure the fronts are a safety issue. Additionally, converting the fronts is a "bolt on" exercise. The rears require welding. I do find my rear drums annoying because of the adjustments but I still run them (for now).

Ah, if the rear disc conversion requires welding that would count me out, unless I take it somewhere to have it done.

 

[sogncab]

Exactly! And adjusting 2 individual shoes on each drum. When trail riding in the midwest the water and mud acts like sand paper on the brake shoes, so I'd have to loosen the sticky wheel cylinders and then adjust them quite often. I love my disc's.

I have the opposite experience with drum when it comes to wear from mud and debris.

 

[JohnnyC]

Doesnt Posers? Maybe I’m recalling the parking brake cable.

I don´t think his bracket did... should be bolt on... you were able to get the brackets and discs from Steve @Poser then source the rest on your own

 

[brian]

I have never been disappointed with disc fronts and drum rears in daily driver service.

 

[fireflyr]

Damnit. I can’t find that ‘ducking behind the brick wall’ emoji.

As for rear discs, I did the Poser conversion years ago. Monte Carlo calipers, C-10 discs, Poser brackets. It has been trouble free for almost 20 years.

 

[FloridaLife]

View attachment 3917741

Damnit. I can’t find that ‘ducking behind the brick wall’ emoji.

As for rear discs, I did the Poser conversion years ago. Monte Carlo calipers, C-10 discs, Poser brackets. It has been trouble free for almost 20 years.

Nice engine compartment! I know the purist won't like this, but I have planned from the beginning to do 2 FJ40's and the 2nd one will definitely be a SBC V8, hopefully an LS swap, so I can have an FJ40 with an automatic transmission. That will be much more comfortable to drive as I get older due to multiple low back surgeries and both hips. Also, my wife says she's too old to drive a stick shift, LOL. And the extra horsepower would be a bonus! Which transmission are you using? Overdrive? And are you using some sort of adapter to continue to use the original Toyota transfer case and 4wd, or is it a Chevy transfer & 4wd, or just rear wheel drive?

I did a Google search of Poser disc brake conversion and didn't pull up a website for it, so after my morning coffee I'll do some digging and reading here on MUD.

 

[JohnnyC]

@FloridaLife

phone and info here for Rear disc brake brackets... - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/rear-disc-brake-brackets.29122/page-6

edit:added a better link

Just ordered brackets and rotors and hoses and hardware.
From Poser LCR4WD - 612-695-1881
Rear Disc Brakes...

 

[FloridaLife]

@FloridaLife

phone and info here for Rear disc brake brackets... - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/rear-disc-brake-brackets.29122/page-6

edit:added a better link

Thank you!

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Full Aqualu swap (-hood).

 

[FloridaLife]

Full Aqualu swap (-hood).

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Very nice! In the first one I see that it is using the dual reservoir master cylinder, which "looks" like mine but may push more fluid than mine. That's interesting, because all the disc brake conversion kits I see use a smaller master cylinder with 1 fluid reservoir.

Both of those are beautiful rigs! I'm guessing the 1st one is the '76. What year is the black one, and what is under the hood?

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Very nice! In the first one I see that it is using the dual reservoir master cylinder, which "looks" like mine but may push more fluid than mine. That's interesting, because all the disc brake conversion kits I see use a smaller master cylinder with 1 fluid reservoir.

Both of those are beautiful rigs! I'm guessing the 1st one is the '76. What year is the black one, and what is under the hood?

Thanks!!,

It is a 76 but, It’s the same LC in both pics. Swapped the Body to an Aqualu. It’s actually brown, it shows different depending on the light. Upgraded the brake booster to the City Racer offering. Engine is the same 2f it was born with 3/76. Although there have been some additions..

 

[Trollhole]

For me it was power steering.

Second would be going full gay.

 

[Malleus]

Good grief!

 

[FloridaLife]

Thanks!!,

It is a 76 but, It’s the same LC in both pics. Swapped the Body to an Aqualu. It’s actually brown, it shows different depending on the light. Upgraded the brake booster to the City Racer offering. Engine is the same 2f it was born with 3/76. Although there have been some additions..

View attachment 3918004

Thanks!!,

It is a 76 but, It’s the same LC in both pics. Swapped the Body to an Aqualu. It’s actually brown, it shows different depending on the light. Upgraded the brake booster to the City Racer offering. Engine is the same 2f it was born with 3/76. Although there have been some additions..

View attachment 3918004

Ah, yep, from that pic I can see the brown on the front. It looks great! I hope mine is done before I'm too old to drive! It sure is going slow.

 

[pb4ugo]

Very nice! In the first one I see that it is using the dual reservoir master cylinder, which "looks" like mine but may push more fluid than mine. That's interesting, because all the disc brake conversion kits I see use a smaller master cylinder with 1 fluid reservoir.

Both of those are beautiful rigs! I'm guessing the 1st one is the '76. What year is the black one, and what is under the hood?

You can buy a kit for the rear discs or you can piece it together, which may be cheaper. The special parts for rear disc's are the caliper brackets and the rotors along with the adjustable proportioning valve. The valve can be purchased thru vendors here or from companies similar to Summit Racing. The rotors are a for a GM truck, which the center is then machine to fit the 40's axle. So a lot folks will just buy the brackets and rotors that already are machined. The calipers, brake pads, caliper bolts are for a the frt of a mid to late 70's Monte Carlo. The caliper hoses you'll have to figure out what to use. The metal line in the rear will have to be altered and double flared. Usually where the metal line and flexible hose meets, a tombstone is welded to the axle to secure that junction. You may find sourcing the parts is cheaper than buying the kit. The stk drum brake master has a larger diameter piston and the stk 40 frt disc brake master has a slightly smaller bore. Either master cylinder will work. You see the 1 reservoir master which is a dual cyldr master is for a later FJ80 and works too.

 

[FloridaLife]

For me it was power steering.

Second would be going full gay.View attachment 3918005View attachment 3918006

on the power steering. Traditional hydraulic, or EPS?

Now, there has GOT to be a good story behind all those colors. Let's hear it.

 

[FloridaLife]

You can buy a kit for the rear discs or you can piece it together, which may be cheaper. The special parts for rear disc's are the caliper brackets and the rotors along with the adjustable proportioning valve. The valve can be purchased thru vendors here or from companies similar to Summit Racing. The rotors are a for a GM truck, which the center is then machine to fit the 40's axle. So a lot folks will just buy the brackets and rotors that already are machined. The calipers, brake pads, caliper bolts are for a the frt of a mid to late 70's Monte Carlo. The caliper hoses you'll have to figure out what to use. The metal line in the rear will have to be altered and double flared. Usually where the metal line and flexible hose meets, a tombstone is welded to the axle to secure that junction. You may find sourcing the parts is cheaper than buying the kit. The stk drum brake master has a larger diameter piston and the stk 40 frt disc brake master has a slightly smaller bore. Either master cylinder will work. You see the 1 reservoir master which is a dual cyldr master is for a later FJ80 and works too.

So, with the new aftermarket dual reservoir master cylinder I bought months ago before deciding to go with disc brakes, I can still use it and just buy a new dual diaphragm booster? If so, that would save me the hassle of returning it. It is still new and in the box, so I can return it if I need to.

Back 30 years ago when I had my '34 Coupe and was into Street Rodding, it was pretty common to put GM discs up front and drum on the back with the booster & master cylinder hidden under the floorboard, and a proportioning valve. Most guys went with a Wilwood adjustable back then. As I've been looking and researching, I see an OEM Toyota non-adjustable proportioning valve, then some adjustable ones, and then even the setup that BTB sells that is a non-adjustable proportioning valve and a dual master cylinder cylinder like what my '69 Chevy had, without the plastic reservoirs. It seems like the prices are all fairly close to each other. Not sure which way I will go, but I am definitely going to do it. Well, let me rephrase that. I used to do all that myself, but now I will have to pay someone else to do it for me after I decide which kit / parts to go with. I appreciate all the information everyone has shared. It is not only helping me, but I'm sure it will help others too.

 

[fireflyr]

[QUOTE="FloridaLife, post: 15954994, member: 223921"
….Also, my wife says she's too old to drive a stick shift, LOL. And the extra horsepower would be a bonus! Which transmission are you using? Overdrive? And are you using some sort of adapter to continue to use the original Toyota transfer case and 4wd, or is it a Chevy transfer & 4wd, or just rear wheel drive?

I did a Google search of Poser disc brake conversion and didn't pull up a website for it, so after my morning coffee I'll do some digging and reading here on MUD.
[/QUOTE]

Yeah my wife gave up on the stick years ago. The installation is of a 2002 Suburban 5.3 LM7 and 4L60e Overdrive automatic (2wd). Advanced Adapters mates it to an early Tcase. Engine had 90k and the transmission had been rebuilt. Both run great and it’s nice to have the OD with the 33’s because it only turns about 2000 rpm at 65 mph.
Make sure you get the 2wd transmission if you go this route. The AA adapter won’t work with the 4wd version of the 4L60e; difference in output shaft I’m guessing.

AND don’t split the transmission off the engine if you don’t have to. Getting the two back together without damaging the trans oil pump can be a nightmare. Or so I’m told.

I’m guessing you got the info you needed on the disc conversion?

 

[BullHab]

Just curious for all you FJ40 experts / owners out there, especially since I'm new to the FJ40 scene and still have never driven one yet, some of you have had yours for many years and/or multiple FJ40's over the years... what would you say is The Best Upgrade you have ever done (or had done) to your FJ40?

I would say that the Saginaw steering upgrade was the best. I also included a shackle reversal swap at the same time. Totally different vehicle to drive either on or off road. A pleasure to drive, much safer at highway speeds.
The stock Toyota power steering is actually just a powered assist keeping all the pivot points and slop built into the original design.

 

[FloridaLife]

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AND don’t split the transmission off the engine if you don’t have to. Getting the two back together without damaging the trans oil pump can be a nightmare. Or so I’m told.

I’m guessing you got the info you needed on the disc conversion?

VERY nice! And I appreciate the information. Now, when you say an early tcase, are you talking about an FJ40 transfer case? I started to keep the 3 speed tcase that came with my 40, but due to a recent surgery I could not separate it from the tranny, and needed the room in the garage so it had to go.

I'm half tempted to do the LS swap & automatic overdrive tranny from the start, but for some reason I just want to hear the straight six fire up and see how the tranny, 4wd hi & low, and the Overdrive hi & low feel. It's not every day you see one of those. I know lots of people hate on them and say you can't find parts, but it's just like a transfer case full of gears and should last a long time. Plus with the old photo of the girl holding the stick of the Overdrive unit, I figure it is worth a try. LOL!

@cruisermatt does a REALLY nice V8 / auto trans swap. He's right up the interstate from me 1 hour away, and when I went to get parts I got to see some of he and his guy's handy work. Very impressive! I bought a Mega Million and a Powerball ticket. If I get lucky on 1 of them I'll just have my 40 delivered to Matt and have him do it. Otherwise, I'll have to wait and see how my gamble turns out. The company I used to work for (over worked, under paid) each year would give us company stocks to try to keep us from leaving because you couldn't touch the stocks for years. As soon as people's stocks would "vest" they would cash them and put the money down on a new car or truck or jet ski or whatever. Many years ago my wife suggested, and I agreed, just pretend they weren't there, sit on them, and they could be our emergency fund if ever needed. When I had to retire 2 years ago due to all the surgeries, I made a gamble and cashed in all the stocks and sunk them into AI stocks like Nvidia. I wish I had bought a bunch of their stock 10 or 15 years ago because I would be RICH!!! But, if AI turns out to be as big of a thing as they say, then I'll be able to pay someone like Matt to build an FJ40 with an LS & Auto Tans with Overdrive & 4wd. Fingers crossed.