Anyone used Man-A-Fre's front disc conversion on a FJ40? If so, are they any good? Also how difficult is it to change out?
Man-A-Fre Front disc conversion
- Thread starter Chriscanoe
- Start date
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Wow, this is going to be a heated discussion. 
i plead the 5th
1973Guppie
Supporting Vendor
use the search function, my opinion is to do it yourself with off the shelf parts.
yes, did the conversion in the front within a month of buying the cruiser; the rear came a half year later.
Except for a brain fart during mounting of the front rotors, things went straightforward (the BTB instructions are better than MAF's) and I have been very happy - the truck now breaks as well as any modern car
the rear was a bit more complicated by the ARB in the differential, and we also wanted to avoid having to flare brake lines ourselves (there is a write-up in the tech section on what we did instead)
granted, the kits are spendy (and the replacement pads for the front are only available at race stores), but I would do it again any time
disclaimer: not affiliated with Man-A-Fre in any shape or form (which doesn't mean I wouldn't appreciate a discount in exchange for my plug next time
)
Except for a brain fart during mounting of the front rotors, things went straightforward (the BTB instructions are better than MAF's) and I have been very happy - the truck now breaks as well as any modern car
the rear was a bit more complicated by the ARB in the differential, and we also wanted to avoid having to flare brake lines ourselves (there is a write-up in the tech section on what we did instead)
granted, the kits are spendy (and the replacement pads for the front are only available at race stores), but I would do it again any time
disclaimer: not affiliated with Man-A-Fre in any shape or form (which doesn't mean I wouldn't appreciate a discount in exchange for my plug next time
)If you have time to source the parts yourself, do it... If you want it done by next week, go through Man-a-Fre.....
Search is your friend.
If this is a street truck, and you just want it done with minimal work, then there isn't a problem with the MAF conversion...
If you have bigger plans for this truck, particularly bigger tires etc, it is worthwhile to source the knuckle, hub and birfield from a '79-89 landcruiser or '79-85 4runner/minitruck. You can get a lot more done with $750 this way...
If you have bigger plans for this truck, particularly bigger tires etc, it is worthwhile to source the knuckle, hub and birfield from a '79-89 landcruiser or '79-85 4runner/minitruck. You can get a lot more done with $750 this way...
hey again chris!
just sent you a pm
malphrus
just sent you a pm
malphrus
dgangle
total rice
I plead the 5th X2.
- Thread starter
- #11
So I am Assuming that I would be better to replace the calipers on the 78 front end I have (oops I forgot to mention that) and replace the roaters with OEM than to go w/ MAF Kit? BTW IN Hoc Baily!
SeeYa!
SeeYa!
Josie'sLandCruiser
Stop calling it a "FJ."
Hi All:
So "Chriscanoe" are you speaking of the M-A-F disc brake conversion for drum brake TLC frontends, or some sort of disc brake upgrade kit that M-A-F sells?
If your rig already has front disc brakes that are worn, simply replace them with new OE Toyota parts (talk with CDan) to get the rig stopping good again!
If your rig has drum brakes in the front, I would suggest converting your existing axle tube by either sourcing the TLC disc brake parts or Toyota "Mini-truck" disc front brake parts. Either of these routes would not be too expensive.
Regards,
Alan
So "Chriscanoe" are you speaking of the M-A-F disc brake conversion for drum brake TLC frontends, or some sort of disc brake upgrade kit that M-A-F sells?
If your rig already has front disc brakes that are worn, simply replace them with new OE Toyota parts (talk with CDan) to get the rig stopping good again!
If your rig has drum brakes in the front, I would suggest converting your existing axle tube by either sourcing the TLC disc brake parts or Toyota "Mini-truck" disc front brake parts. Either of these routes would not be too expensive.
Regards,
Alan
It is a good kit, But does not readily allow you to upgrade your birfs (it's one real failure IMHO)
Switch it over to mini.late LC stuff and it would be better.
BTW, Steve, try responding with actual information instead of petty sarcasm..
Switch it over to mini.late LC stuff and it would be better.
BTW, Steve, try responding with actual information instead of petty sarcasm..
bsevans
Focus on the Journey
MAF recently changed the design of their front disk conversion and did not bother telling anyone or creating a different part number. All of you out there that have an older conversion are in for a surprise when you want a new DBA rotor, they are not going to stock the old design. That would be because they changed the hub ID diameter so their new rotors will not fit the hub of '67 or earlier cruisers. The new calipers have a different mounting offset due to the change in the way the rotors are mounted to the hubs (front instead of rear). All of these changes are actually an improvement in design, but shame on MAF for not changing the part number to distinguish between the two designs.
It is a good kit, But does not readily allow you to upgrade your birfs (it's one real failure IMHO)
Switch it over to mini.late LC stuff and it would be better.
BTW, Steve, try responding with actual information instead of petty sarcasm..
Plenty of info through search on this, I figured everyone would come up with the same answers as usual. I can understand going both ways really.....
Our kit stops great, is all new, comes with instructions, is easy to install, and more expensive.
Newer style LC kits stop great as well, are easier to find replacement parts (if you dont want to buy from us), and upgrade the birfs, but everything is used, you have to track down the parts yourself, and most likely will need to buy new parts for it anyways.
We sell the parts to do both here, we can install it here as well, but it usually comes up being about the same in price.
You win either way really, there is no right or wrong kit, but one of the methods may better suit someone elses needs. Either way you get disc brakes!
We did make a new part number, its just not updated on the web yet. Sorry for that, I will be updating the picture as well. The old kit will accept the new rotors, but you do have to change the caliper brackets. We send out caliper brackets as an exchange, costing you no additional money. The fact that our rotor doesnt fit over the hub is not our fault, Toyota made different hubs before 67 and never changed the part numbers, even if you buy a new brake drum from Toyota they may not fit over the factory hub.
I will change the part number as soon as I can, I did not realize that it would affect someone that had already purchased or is planning on purchasing a kit. I am sorry.
bsevans
Focus on the Journey
Why do you not have DBA increase the ID to fit all the hubs and not just '68 on. Is there not enough material to remove what has to be less than .10" in diameter to accomodate the large hub diameter.
We are looking into it, making custom production rotors is expensive and time consuming, but we are working on it. We would have done it to start with but we were not completely aware of the differences in the hubs at that time.
