MAF Disc Parking Brake Conversion question

[Adrift]

Hey folks,

So I was looking around MAF's site and found this : MAF Disc Parking Brake Conversion Kit

It lists the Early FJ40 brake conversion as only being available for year models 68 to 74.

Why is this? I have a 66 and was hopeing to do this conversion, but now it would seem this is not gonna work.

 

[GarageRat]

I believe the 68-74 TC is different from the pre-'68 ones, there were many changes in the 68-69 models.

 

[Adrift]

If anyone else can chime in that would be great. Is it a bolt spacing problem or possibly something I can work around?

 

[Combat Chuck]

I asked around on the board about a year ago on this conversion, and from what I recall, it was not worth doing. It's a neat idea, and I really think it's cool, but some folks who used it chimed in and brought up issues they'd had. From memory they were:
1 in typical MAF style, it came without directions.
2 took alot of adjusting for a result that was no more impressive than the OEM e-brake
3 still had problems with oil leaking from the back of the T-case and slippage

I have no firsthand experience with these units, and as I said, I like the idea, but it may not be worth the headache later.

 

[Downey]

We had designed a disc parking brake unit about 1,000 years before anyone else did, but we never brought it to market because:
(a) It wouldn't hold squat until we gave it a hydralic cylinder (and it's own master cylinder). These items took it's price higher than a rear disc brake conversion with build-in park brake, because you also needed all the different mounting brackets, and a control cable kit.
(b) For the caliper to have enough leverage, the rotor had to hang down below the transfer-case a couple inches. If you bent the rotor during wheelin, you'd have to drop the rear drive shaft and remove the rotor before you could continue. Yes, this meant your transfer-case skid plate had to mount 2" lower.

 

[CheyenneTrucker]

don't waste vour money i looked into it too. and desited it was not worth it,.

 

[3jvj]

It seems like it'd be easier to go with a rear disc conversion and a monte carlo or caddy caliper (built in e-brake). Cost would probably be about the same.

 

[cmiller114]

I have the Eldo calipers...the ebrake won't hold swat.
I've been looking at this: FJ 40 Land Cruiser I haven't pulled the trigger on this for all the reasons Jim lists above.

 

[cmiller114]

If you're into fabbing up a brake check out these guys:
Tolomatic, Inc. - Power Transmission - Mechanical Caliper Disc Brakes - ME20

 

[lcwizard]

It's definately a "parking" brake and not an emergency brake, but so is the stock t-case drum. Neither will bring you down from 60 mph in a hurry.
I remember buying my first car in 78, it was an FJ40, brand new off the showroom floor. I drove 22 miles home with the e-brake on before I figured out what the smell was. I recall the salesman was in a hurry and didn't have time to go over the trucks details with a dumb kid

 

[jim land]

tsm make a kit that look nice