Front disc brake conversion, ATTN: NEWBIE QUESTION

[concise]

Just to get started, I am in the process of purchasing a '70 FJ40 and will pick it up next monday. I dont know much about working on trucks and such, but that is the purpose of buying the cruiser. Through my research, I know I want to upgrade the brakes to disc, and I know there is probably a real easy answer to my following question, but I'm just too much of a noob to figure it out:

Why can't you do essentially the same brake conversion for the rear brakes (the GM conversion) to the front brakes?

The mini-truck conversion seems to be a lot more expensive, and I'm just searching for options. Thanks for your help.

 

[TJDIV]

Well..

First off...congrats on getting to a forum BEFORE buying a Cruiser. It took me two Cruisers to find Ih8mud.com;

Secondly....

If the drum brakes on the 40 stop it good, why mess with them? I know a lot of people think disc over drum and go for the swap, but if you've got a good surrounding set of drum brakes, you'll stop just fine and are wasting your time and valuable funds by doing the disc conversion. I spent $300 on my 45LV drums (new brake cylinders (all 8) and a new brake master) and that thing stops like a dream.



My point is to develop a very objective approach to your "Cruiser Upgrading" mentality. If you don't, you'll be out a s***load of money, just like I was 5 years ago.



Aside from that, take some pictures of your Cruiser before we ban you.

 

[woody]

The GM conversion has been done on a Cruiser front, but it's custom....

The GM stuff uses a sliding caliper, not a fixed one like the stock Cruiser discs....and a dual piston, not a 4-piston design.

IMO, the biggest advantage to performing a minitruck front disc conversion is more the upgrade in birfields...if you DO NOT wheel, then the coarser's are fine...if you do anything beyond fire roads or EVER want a front locker or limited slip, then the fine spline birfs (and eventually Longfields or the like) are a must...the coarse 6-spline birf just isn't worth wasting time with...

 

[concise]

thx for the input woody, and pics are definately coming the day i bring it home.

 

[Isotel]

What are your overall plans for the truck?? Stock?? spring over?? 35" tires or bigger??

The disks are Very nice to have, While your at it you should switch to the newer steering nuckle, 79 and up,( same as minitrucks and fj60's) Contact me if you need some of the parts, as i have just came upon a minitruck front axel and all i need are the hubs and Birfs, and short side inner axel..

I was in your same situation one year ago, i just was about to get my truck and didint know much more then how to change oil and tires.. I did a Spring over and Power steering, Hysteer on my truck and i couldint be happier, other then needing to change to minitruck nuckles.. Do alot of reading on this site.. then go back and read it over again.. i learned alot from this site and the people on it! Good luck, cant wait to see the pics!

 

[concise]

probably a 3 or 4 inch skyjacker lift w/ rancho 5000 shocks, or if i can find the right tools SOA

re do the brakes, either rebuild the drums, or do a 4 wheel disc conversion

saginaw P/S

33" tires

then as money comes, either rebuild the engine or go with a 350, in which case ill go with a TBI
or if for some reason i can find a 13B-T / h55f for the right price, ill go diesel

edit: or any other good 4cyl diesel that puts out around the same power as a 13B-T

but right now, priorities are brakes, suspension, tires/wheels, P/S in that order

 

[hammerhead]

Where are you? If you put your location up, there may be someone in your neighborhood that could lend a hand. It's a cruiser brotherhood kinda thing.

...and welcome aboard. You'll love being a cruiserhead.

 

[3_puppies]

I'm with tjdiv, my drums on my 65 so 35" BFG's. stop just fine, nice to upgrade but if things are working I've got other stuff to throw money at.