I've searched the threads, sorry more disc brake questions, please help!

[kplords]

Hey everyone, I finally made the decision to go ahead and retrofit my '69 with front disc brakes and bought a '78 pig to complete the project. As the '69 does not come with power booster, it looks like there will not be enough room/ clearance in there to install the '78 booster and parts straight away. I seem to remember seeing an adapter to complete this job somewhere over the last several years in my internet travels, at JT, or Man-a-Fre, or SOR, but for the life of me I cannot find this adapter anywhere now, any ideas, or was this part a figment of my imagination and dreams? Thanks in advance. And, if anyone has the finger power and patience, knowledge, etc,. Is the '78 swap to the '69 going to be an easy one? Bolt right on kind of thing. I would like to keep the '69 hubs if possible as well, is that a problem? I'm a newbie, but have had this pig for over 10 years and finally have the time, some money, energy, and inspiration to make this my daily driver, am mechanically inclined, but haven't ever swapped front ends on a cruiser before! Thanks again. Have lots of '78 parts for sale, and need '69 parts!! Kevin

 

[cruiser_guy]

I think Lou was doing the same thing on one of his trucks. I'm doing this on my '67 FJ45LV https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owner...v-resto-thread-67-central-american-model.html but it's a little different than a '55. Have a look at post #63 onward to see what I did. It's an idea if you have a scrap '55 of a later year kicking about.

 

[jmylie]

I'm guessing that it will not be a direct swap. The driveshaft flanges may need to be swapped out also. But other than that, the axles should be easy

I'm surprised to hear that you don't have room for the brake booster?

Is something mounted on the drivers side firewall?

I also remember something about an adapter but it was for mounting a mini-truck booster.

 

[cruiser_guy]

I also remember something about an adapter but it was for mounting a mini-truck booster.

There is an adaptor for mounting a GM booster as well at Man-a-fre but apparently it drives the brake master too far forward on the '55's.

 

[kplords]

There MAY be enough room in there, guess that I will just get started on it,... planning that there will be enough room,...con't to look online, but I haven't had any luck finding the adapter...as I remember it... moved everything out from the firewall and to the left (drivers side)...I believe b/c the clutch master is mounted too close to the brake on the '69. I hope that I am wrong. Driveshaft flanges need to be swapped, why? I am going to have to get these rigs parked side by side for closer comparison, I think that I am not seeing something. thanks for the info everyone.

 

[kplords]

Do I need to put the '78 rear end in to match the front end or is the rear of the '69 the same??

 

[kplords]

I'm in trouble, think I've delusions of granduer. I'm taking on way more than I can handle here! Just found the following quote at S.O.R.

"On early Land Cruisers 1958-7/70 it takes major modifications to fit disc brakes on these Cruisers and gets very costly. Price of dual brake booster, master cylinder, pedal bucket assembly all steel brake tube, hoses, and rear wheel cylinders due to size change of brake lines. Not to mention no room to mount booster up against firewall. On these years you will need to be your own engineer and fabricator."

 

[Rusty55]

Do I need to put the '78 rear end in to match the front end or is the rear of the '69 the same??

You just need to make sure you have the same gear ratio.

Anyone need a 76 FJ 55 4:10 rear end in good condition?

 

[PabloCruise]

You will not be keeping the '69 hubs - coarse spline birfs vs. fine spline birfs for the discs...

What hubs do your '78 front end have?