Minitruck Front Axle Disc Brake Conversion For Dummies (FAQ)

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Noah,
Just checked with Downey. They have part#: 14058 79-85 Backing Plate Eliminator Rings, Pr. $19.00 and part #: 47211 Removal Hose Set $56.12. This looks like the way I will go because the rocks here in AZ WILL get trapped between the rotor and backing plate/shield. Take a look at Downey's site under brake conversions.
Here is a link to that

Downey Off-Road
 
Here is the set up i ended up with as far as brake lines go.
Soft lines are custom and only cost me $25 for the pair made locally. I use the hard lines I mentioned above at the caliper and the stock '71 40 lines on the axle.

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Will this work on all FJ40 axles are does it have to be a certian year? I have a 62 and would like disc brakes in the future. I was under the impression that the older trucks are different?

Tim
 
Will this work on all FJ40 axles are does it have to be a certian year? I have a 62 and would like disc brakes in the future. I was under the impression that the older trucks are different?

Tim
You are right. They are different. The early models do not use the CV style long axle and birf (it is more like a U-Joint) so unless you have a frankencruiser or want to change the front axle housing, the set up written here will not work.
 
I have a bolt in the end of the axle and have not been able to get the axle to "pull out" enough to get the c clip on. Any ideas. Pics will follow of the new 4 Runner Calipers and FJ60 rotors.
 
I have a bolt in the end of the axle and have not been able to get the axle to "pull out" enough to get the c clip on. Any ideas. Pics will follow of the new 4 Runner Calipers and FJ60 rotors.
Sounds like you have short (79-newer) birfields w/ Warn hubs, or maybe the rare 78-earlier ASCO hubs.
 
Problem solved!!!!! I'm using 30 spline Longfields with crho-mo hub gears and 85' Mini Truck knuckles and spindles/Aisin hubs and 82 FJ60 vented rotors, 95 4-Runner calipers. I might have tapped the passenger side axle/birf in a little too far (it was tight after grinding and need a BFH to encourage entry yet no binding). I took a wrecking bar and pried on the bolt screwed into the end of the axle. It moved/pulled the axle out enough that I was able to put the C-clip on and totally seat it using a round punch and a BFRH (Big F-------- Red Hammer cerca 1985). It was tight but it did work. I don't know if my Aussie in the front had any thing to do with it. ALL is good. wheels go on in the morning. Tonto National Forest at sunset with the security of Bobby Longfields.
 
It will work on either the FJ40 or the FJ55 as they are identical lengths... however as you mentioned the mini-truck stuff is VERY close. Mini-trucks and FJ40/55 use the same thread on the tie-rod (21mm) while the FJ60 & FJ80 are quite a bit bigger (23mm), likewise the draglink on the FJ40 is 17mm & 21 mm on the FJ60/80. So you won't be able to use a mini-truck end and an FJ60 end on the same tube (unless it is custom made with different threads at each side). I'm not sure if all of the mini-truck stuff uses the 21mm tie rod & 17mm draglink stuff, and what years if so... but the LC stuff I should have nailed down by now? :D

Kurt, are you certain about this? I was hoping that late 40's and 60's had the same thread, such that you could use a late 40 tie rod after converting a 40 front end to 60 knuckles?
 
This is a great write up. I checked, and the calipers guppie used are the same as the 95 V6 4Runner. Does toyota stock the c-clips for the birfs, or do i need to order them?
I am certain you can get them from CDan but I got mine from Kurt when I bought the rebuild kit.
 
Post 8 you remove the hub from the rotor - I am at this point and have the two bolts removed from the backside and it will not come apart. Do the lug studs hold the hub on to the rotor as well?
Edit: I put the BFH on the lug studs and separated the hub from the rotor.
 
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Kurt, are you certain about this? I was hoping that late 40's and 60's had the same thread, such that you could use a late 40 tie rod after converting a 40 front end to 60 knuckles?

Yes sir, the FJ40 never got the bigger tie rod ends that were introduced with the FJ60, it got the bigger knuckles, but 79-84' steering arms are unique as they have the big pattern yet small taper for the older tie rod ends.
 
Driverside tie rod end of FJ60 is the same tie rod of 80 series?...
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Driverside tie rod end of FJ60 is the same tie rod of 80 series?...

I'm not quite clear on your question. The ends themselves are in deed different. But the taper going through the steering arm is the same spec.
 
I'm not quite clear on your question. The ends themselves are in deed different. But the taper going through the steering arm is the same spec0.

Thanks!... The left arm in the picture is of FJ40, and the right maybe of FJ60.

I can use FJ80 tie rod end to connect draglink to passenger FJ60 tie rod ?... I find more streng steering whitout lift for this FJ40.
 
AWESOME THREAD... I'm going to send ALOT of customers this way... :D I've been meaning to do a similar writeup for years, but you did a great job :cool:

To answer a couple questions that popped up...

Bearings: The knuckle (trunnion) bearings are the EXACT same from the Landcruser & minitruck, so use either though you should absolutely plan on new ones unless you've rebuilt your axle recently.

Steering Solutions: The taper of the mini-truck OR FJ60/62 steering arms is BIGGER than the standard E-84' FJ40/55 tie rod ends. So, you have three options really...

1. Run the FJ60/Minitruck arms (modified minitruck ones as seen in this thread)... AND build a new tie rod with the bigger tie rod ends.

2. Tapered spacers (or the infamous starter bushing). This simply occupies the extra space of the tie rod taper. Its a quick, dirty & cheap fix... but I don't like it for longevity and durability reasons.

3. My personal favorite is using the OEM steering arms from a ~79' - 84' FJ40, they not only have the correct knuckle patter (the big one) but it also has the standard FJ40 tie rod taper dimensions :cool:

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Cruiser Outfitters

Related Links:

Landcruiser front axle specs (inner axle lengths, knuckle patterns, etc)
Cruiser Outfitters


have read this info/thread, and found it very helpful!! thankyou to all those involved.
a quick question in relation to your post above, could you tell me if the steering arms out of a 1984 fj45 would be the same as above...or completely different... also, if it is the same, would a complete disc to disc including the appropriate steering bits be a simple bolt on replacement?

appreciate your time

Luke
 

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