vented vitara brakes on a sierra

[built4thrashing]

Have just completed converting the front brakes to vented disc and calipers from a LWB vitara. This was such an easy conversion im supriseda heap of others haven't already done this.

Calipers bolt on to existing brackets, Discs slide on, all you need to do is trim out the backing plate either side of the caliper with a hacksaw. You can even use original brake lines.

Hardest bit is bleeding the calipers as they are now on top and air can get trapped in the caliper if not unbolted to bleed at correct angle.

I have put up a few pics at the following link http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ ... h=imgAnch1

[nicbeer]

What year model was the vit? I have the calipers but not the discs.

Nic

[built4thrashing]

i think what i got was off a 1988 lwb vitara. the discs are 15mm thick vented

[cj]

They came off a '93 lwb All the 1.6's are the same though.

[Damo]

This was such an easy conversion im supriseda heap of others haven't already done this

Probably because the standard brakes are quite adequate, even with larger tyres.

[Guy]

This was such an easy conversion im supriseda heap of others haven't already done this

Probably because the standard brakes are quite adequate, even with larger tyres.

frees up the callipers/disks for a rear disk conversion

[built4thrashing]

SHH dont tell everyone
already had them will be doin that when i sort out a center handbrake

[christover1]

SHH dont tell everyone
already had them will be doin that when i sort out a center handbrake

shove a disc in place of the handbrake drum
or use a rear disc with handbrake built in, even more

christover

[built4thrashing]

planning on using a motorbile disc brake for the H/B or even a trailer disc brake setup with a cable operated caliper. What have others used?

[MUD-PIGSIERRA]

Just to revive and reconfirm as Im planning on getting approval to run 33" tires. I thought since I have a spare Vitara wreck ill put the vented and bigger calipers on my Sierra as part of my upgrades to hopefully be approved to run the bigger tires.

1. So does this mod does not require you to have 16" rims...?

Im thinking since Im running disc brakes all round it will also give me a little better brake bias to the front as well........?

[nicbeer]

Nopes.

15's are fine as std vit runs 15s too.

these are the LWB vit vented calipers.

I have this in mine and just done a prop valve to the rear. Not done any wet road testing as yet but hoping it is lass scary to drive.

[MUD-PIGSIERRA]

15's are fine as std vit runs 15s too.

Mmmmmmmm yes and Im now thinking why didn't I just go and see what size the rims were on the Vitara....

Thanks Nic

[alien]

if you're running big lift the vit calipers are a problem though, it gets hard to fit in a hi-steer setup because the caliper sits over the kingpin... trust me i know! =)

[MUD-PIGSIERRA]

Okay, as in it wont work...? Im running the Snakeracing High steer kit, might this stop the caliper fitting up...? Or is everything just a tight fit...?

[alien]

providing the snake racing kit doesnt modify the kingpin you should be ok, but the caliper comes pretty much halfway over the plate (covers 2 of the bolts) and touches the plate also. other than that, the only issue is the shroud needs trimming...

i ran the vit brakes for about 2 years, on road the difference wasnt that huge, if you put the brakes on hard it'd just skid like it did on the standard brakes... the real difference was offroad when the rear drums were waterlogged, the vit brakes pulled me up FAR quicker.

I've since gone back to standard brakes for engineering and steering arm purposes... after many promises by a supplier an arm could be made to fit it just wouldnt, and especially not fit and be engineerable, so i had to bite the bullet and go back to standard before having a "proper" engineerable solution made up.