Big Brakes - 14 Inch Rotors Wilwood Calipers

[JeepinPete]

The brake situation on these trucks doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. The majority of my experience is in the old Jeep world, most of the full size variety. So Dana 44 axles, with GM type half ton brakes. I did a bit of digging on Rockauto to compare rotor sizes. The D44 had 11.8" diameter rotors, the FZJ80 has 12.25" diameter rotors, and a 2001 1 ton GM has 12.8" diameter rotors.

The reason I bring this up is my past experience. I ran 35" tires on my old Cherokee. It could lock up the tire with little effort rain or shine. Standard front disc rear drum setup. Single piston calipers. Nothing fancy at all. No problems with modulating the brakes, it stopped the way you would expect. The trick to all of this was swapping in a hydra boost system in place of the vacuum booster, which in turn creates more line pressure at the calipers.

The Toyota system by the spec's has it all over 1/2 ton GM brakes. Larger rotor, rear disc, 4 piston calipers up front. There is no reason at all the brakes on the LC should stomp the performance of GM brakes, but they aren't. The issue in my mind seems to be a lack of pressure at the calipers. The ABS module, the LSPV, the vacuum booster all seem to contribute to some degree. In my mind that is the place to start looking for brake improvements. Once that is exhausted, the the BBK path makes a lot more sense.

 

[Squad1]

I like the idea of bigger brakes. I too am about to drop an LS engine and 6L80E into my LX450. I wonder like jeepinpete above if there is something to the hydroboost? I have a hydroboost /master cylinder on my Jeep LJ with 14" rotors and 6 piston wilwood tc6 calipers and love the braking power the hydroboost offers. The bigger rotors and wilwoods have been great on the street too. No worries about dust seals or anything like that running a "race " caliper.

 

[MoustacheMike]

Just thinking out loud here...

But wouldn't the Wilwood 13" (Which works on all 16″ diameter wheels, and some 15" diameter wheels) be an easier & cheaper upgrade option for the FJ80/FZJ80 crowd ?

 

[NLXTACY]

Ha! How timely, I was JUST talking to someone yesterday who switched out his vacuum brakes to hydroboost. I'm already looking into it because the Gen 3 Icons are now all hydroboost.

 

[dogfishlake]

The thing I'm interested in with big brakes is the ability to pull maximum stopping force without lockup, and do it for a long period. An example is coming down a pass with a trailer in tow, like a loaded expo trailer that does not have trailer brakes. Encounter an emergency situation at the end of a long decent and you may be thankful for big brakes.

 

[1973Guppie]

really cool mod and work, that being said I don't see a market for a BBK that costs $3k+ if that really is the pricing, I switched to EBC green pads and have been fairly happy with my brakes. Sure they can always be better but I also don't drive this pig very fast most of the time....

 

[Squad1]

I have a spare gm hydroboost and master cylinder from a mid 2000 chevy 2500 hd truck. When I take the LX off the road to do the engine swap I think I am going to see how much work it would be to mount to the firewall. The master will prob be to large piston/volume wise, but that same system works great on my jeep. Down side ,if you can call it that, is that it will probably have a much higher firmer pedal.

 

[Kernal]

Anyone know how much pressure the stock 80 series brake system develops at the calipers versus the Hydroboost systems? Can the the stock system (lines, flexible hoses, ABS, seals, etc) handle the extra pressure or do they need to be upgraded also?

 

[Squad1]

not sure but could be checked with a pressure gauge. I think i have one, will have to look. I realize that doesn't tell the maximum designed only what it currently makes.

 

[NLXTACY]

I have one, would be good to get readings all along the process.

 

[1FZj80]

Anyone know how much pressure the stock 80 series brake system develops at the calipers versus the Hydroboost systems? Can the the stock system (lines, flexible hoses, ABS, seals, etc) handle the extra pressure or do they need to be upgraded also?

i'd be curious regarding this same question...

 

[madisonr34]

1fzj80 how much would u charge to add zerks to my birfields??

 

[1FZj80]

i'll do it for a good bottle of wine...
red, of course

 

[Dragos80]

I see a line forming outside of your house.

 

[Dubbinchris]

So by third quarter this year you'll do the diesel swaps too?

Wrong thread I know, but man how awesome would it be to have a reliable source for at least a few of the key adapters common to diesel swaps. All I really want is to adapt an NV4500 to my transfer case, but am scared to send even a dime to the current provider of said adapter.

 

[portiadog1]

I'd be in for one of these brake kits for sure. Also about to start a LQ9/6L80 swap.

 

[NLXTACY]

Wrong thread I know, but man how awesome would it be to have a reliable source for at least a few of the key adapters common to diesel swaps. All I really want is to adapt an NV4500 to my transfer case, but am scared to send even a dime to the current provider of said adapter.

I'm getting into a lot of different things for our trucks. But I have so much R&D to do that its crazy. Yes I've been approached about doing conversion kits. I wouldn't hold your breath but I also wouldn't write it off completely.

 

[Douglas S]

If someone would make an adapter so I can use my pressure bleeder on the 80 master I would buy that in a heartbeat.

The adapter that Motive specs for it does not work for me at all.

 

[Tapage]

I did the HydroBoost swap on my 60 after 80 series booster and other stuff .. it have benefits for sure ( the HB system ) but I'm not sure the PS pump on our Cruisers are up to the task in the stock form ..

It wasn't for sure on my 60 ... but yeah you can argue that was an old tired pump already to start with.

So I did the upgrade for one of those fancy PCS units with hi pressure and more flow with, PS oil cooler ( huge bar and plate ) and then upgraded the PS reservoir again with those fancy ones coming from PSC .. system now ( after all upgrades ) lock my 40" con dry with the 4Runer V6 SW13 calipers .. which are not big by any means ..

just my .0002 cents ..

 

[Squad1]

thats good to here. I am going to mount one to my lx450 this summer