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Brake upgrade on 4Runner

Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 9:24 am
by 4RUNNER_01
Hi, I have searched but not found clear enough info on what I wanna do.

Firstly the stock brakes on the 83 4Runner are terrible and with 35's they're pretty useless.

So far I've got the 1'' bore master, and the larger drums with the IFS Diff but its still not able to even slow me down on real steep inclines or stop safely on the road.

So as usual went strait to locktup4x4 to see what they had, disc rear seems like the thing to do and i know there's alternatives but the disc's and calipers from patrol and subaru never seem to be fitted together correctly although i'd like to be proven wrong as its the cheaper option, but the locktup brackets utilize the front disc and caliper so i get outta buying that but then need a transfer mounted handbrake which is pretty expansive although I'm sure would actually be reliable.

Then the front i assume the go is just the later model hilux ventilated discs and larger 4 piston calipers do I just need to get a particular model disc and caliper or whole hub assemble? is there any better upgrades???

Sorry for the story just wanna do this once so any info would be appreciated...

Re: Brake upgrade on 4Runner

Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 10:21 am
by DUDELUX
I upgraded the brakes on my 86 Lux.
Heres what I used....
- early 80series booster and master cyl.
- LN106 SR5 vented rotors.
- LN106 SR5 bigger calipers.

Made a massive improvement, best mod Ive done yet.

I left the rear as stock drums, but had them rebuilt, with new drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, etc.

If youre keeping the rear drum brakes, then youll need to get the booster/master cyl from an 80 that had drum brakes rear.
If youre going with a disc rear, then youll need to get the booster and master cyl from an 80 that had disc rear.

The rotors I fitted, use the same wheel bearings and seals as my old rotors did. Which makes it easy too.

The calipers that I replaced had 2x 25mm pistons, and 2x 35mm pistons.
The calipers I fitted have 4x 45mm pistons. Big difference.

It was easy to fit too, the rotors went on easily, the calipers bolted straight on too, only had to cut a small section out of the brake backing plate as the calipers are bigger in size.
And I had to egg the hole in the firewall slightly to make the booster bolt up nice and flush.

After adjusting the pushrod in the booster with some help off here, it works very well.

I hope this makes sense mate.

Good luck.

Re: Brake upgrade on 4Runner

Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 10:44 am
by Mr DJ
100% agree with Dudelux, you won't need disc rear for normal good braking if the drums are working & adjusted up properly.
The locktup kit is good but has no mechanical hand brake at each rear wheel so not allowed as a mod in Aus. The vehicle manufacturer is allowed to sell it like that tho :? .

If you currently have 20mm rotor, the earlier 130 series surf's (8/89 - 8/91) ran 4 x 42mm pistons per caliper to work on 20mm rotor thickness (DBA 780) using a 15/16" master with dual diaphram booster tho the 1" master should be fine, might be a cheaper option for you.
The V6 4Runner calipers that have the 4 x 45mm pistons (exactly same as early 80 series with drum rear) use a 25mm rotor thickness (DBA 775).

HTH.

Re: Brake upgrade on 4Runner

Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 11:55 am
by -Nemesis-
The rear brakes won't help at all, even if you put Porsche ones on there lol, the majority of your breaking force is in the front.

Best bet is V6 4Runner calipers and master cylinder etc. Should be plenty of old threads in here I'd imagine, if you search around.