Cruiser Parts Disc Brake Conversion

[nicksfj-40]

Has anybody used the kit that cruiserparts has on their website? Looking for personal expirence.
Toyota Land Cruiser Front Disk Brake Conversion Kit

I have a 73 fj-40 with drums. I searched and read all about the mini truck, monte carlo, fj-60, and the overpriced aftermarket kits.
I am looking for the easiest bolt on kit. I have ordered from cruiser parts before and not had any problems.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

It sounds like $525 at a minimum and a lot of work...

"We sell this kit for $450 complete with a new knuckle seal kit, a used proportioning valve, new TRE bushings.
Shipping is $75 to $100 depending on your location. These ship in 2 boxes weighing 100#'s each."



"You need to dis-assemble the knuckles off of your FJ40. Get down to just the bare end of your axle. Then dis-assemble what we send to you. Clean everything up, derust it, degrease them, paint the parts then start reassembly. You do not need to cut or modify your axle housing at all. You CAN re use your original booster & M/C just use the proportioning valve that we send. New loaded calipers are available at a local auto parts store. We highly recommend buying a set if the ones included in your order look questionable. They are generally $55 each. If you need replacement parts in the future. Order them for a 1985 Toyota Land Cruiser."


If you are capable of doing all this work, then you should just go to a junk yard and get an old mini truck axle for $100-$200 then buy a rebuild kit for $100 off eBay.

 

[pbgbottle]

X2

head to the junk yard and pick up an axle from a mini truck
i picked up a complete axle for $150 ,
sold the housing and 3rd member and inner axles for $65
then i ordered a knuckle kit from orangefj45 with koyo bearings
ordered up some new vented rotors ,exchange the mini calipers for remaned cruiser rotors and got to work
i don't think it cost me $500 bucks after i was done

It sounds like $525 at a minimum and a lot of work...



If you are capable of doing all this work, then you should just go to a junk yard and get an old mini truck axle for $100-$200 then buy a rebuild kit for $100 off eBay.

 

[dgangle]

I have heard some less-than-flattering comments about them recently too.

From the tech links: Minitruck Disc Conversion - Land Cruiser Tech from IH8MUD.com

Mini truck donor parts $200.00-$350.00
New vented rotors $120.00
Rebuilt calipers with pads $90.00
Knuckle rebuild kit $125.00
New tie rod & drag link ends $80.00
Total cost after incidentals is very close to $800.00

This is in line with what I paid. I added new wheel bearings and reused the tie-rod.....can be done a number of different ways. $525-125 for the kit is $400 for the disk parts...too much IME especially when you will probably need to buy new calipers, vented rotors, wheel bearings. Plus consider the time of diasssmebly and cleaning all that greasy mess they send you. I'd look locally or buy 60/minitruck parts form the For Sale section. The shipping charges alone will buy a lot of the misc parts needed. I shipped all the donor LC parts from a 77 axle from AL to MT and it was around $50-60 UPS in 2 boxes

 

[vtcruiser60]

I am going to run counter to the crowd here and offer up some counter-points....

If you do not have access to a junkyard or can't source a complete donor axle, then the cruiserparts.net option might be just fine for you. I would note that it comes with a seal kit, which I think will run about $75 with trunion bearings, and more if you want new wheel bearings. Their prices on rotors is not bad either.

You have to factor in your time with this kit. Unless you have an axle available, you are looking at a couple of hours to source one and pick it up. With any donor, you have to tear it down and prep the parts for reassembly on your FJ40 axle. At least with their kit you are not stuck trying to get rid of an axle housing or deal with a potentially questionable third member.

I have sold two donor vehicles to cruiserparts.net, made probably 5 online orders, and have not had any problems doing business with them. Well, once I got shipped more than I needed and charged accordingly. They reimbursed my credit card accordingly.

Good luck

 

[nicksfj-40]

I have found a complete axle assebly from an FJ-40 near here.
My understanding is that I cannot just bolt this up because the gear ratio is different, correct?

Would it be worth it to buy the axle. He wants 250. I am sure I can talk him down.

 

[Poser]

That is not out of line for a complete 40/55 series disc brake axle assembly...

 

[nicksfj-40]

Is the gearing different?

 

[nicksfj-40]

Nevermind. I just read in another thread that they are different ratios.

 

[cruiser enthuiser]

I have heard some less-than-flattering comments about them recently too.

From the tech links: Minitruck Disc Conversion - Land Cruiser Tech from IH8MUD.com

Mini truck donor parts $200.00-$350.00
New vented rotors $120.00
Rebuilt calipers with pads $90.00
Knuckle rebuild kit $125.00
New tie rod & drag link ends $80.00
Total cost after incidentals is very close to $800.00

This is in line with what I paid. I added new wheel bearings and reused the tie-rod.....can be done a number of different ways. $525-125 for the kit is $400 for the disk parts...too much IME especially when you will probably need to buy new calipers, vented rotors, wheel bearings. Plus consider the time of diasssmebly and cleaning all that greasy mess they send you. I'd look locally or buy 60/minitruck parts form the For Sale section. The shipping charges alone will buy a lot of the misc parts needed. I shipped all the donor LC parts from a 77 axle from AL to MT and it was around $50-60 UPS in 2 boxes

I don't mean to hijack...but why would one want to do the mini-truck conversion for $800 or so as opposed to doing something like the JTOutfitters conversion kit for $550 which they claim includes new rotors and calipers?? Front Disc Brake Kit Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 FJ45 FJ55 - JTOutfitters. I know MAF sells a similiar one for a little more $$ if you don't trust JTO. It seems like less work, less hassle to use this type of kit. Is it just about keeping it Toyota or is there something else I'm missing? I'm a newb looking to do a disc conversion soon and considering all the options out there.

 

[Blacksunshyne]

I don't mean to hijack...but why would one want to do the mini-truck conversion for $800 or so as opposed to doing something like the JTOutfitters conversion kit for $550 which they claim includes new rotors and calipers?? Front Disc Brake Kit Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 FJ45 FJ55 - JTOutfitters. I know MAF sells a similiar one for a little more $$ if you don't trust JTO. It seems like less work, less hassle to use this type of kit. Is it just about keeping it Toyota or is there something else I'm missing? I'm a newb looking to do a disc conversion soon and considering all the options out there.

I think most everyone's reasoning is to switch out to the the 30 (fine) spline over the 6 (coarse) splin. The fine 30 slpine being the more desired, because of the added durability especially in off road situations.

I am a newb to all this cruiser stuff as well, but was wondering....Is the rear axle on the older cruisers a 6 (coarse) spline as well? If so, why are there never any worries or discussions about replacing it? If your cruiser will see light offraod (farm roads, etc.) is there really a reason to go thru with all the hassel of the swap out? Just things I sit and wonder about when i should be working.:whoops:

If anyone can enlighten me I would be