Front Brake Question

[Grumpy]

Okay guys who might know.....I have 4 piston front calipers on the front axle of the wife's Zuk, it's a Toy axle, '83 I think, and was wondering if I can replace them with a simpler 2 piston caliper and which one to use, (what year will work)? I haven't worked on any Toy axles yet, (my truck is still on Samurai axles and will be for a few years yet...), so I know nothing :yike I have to redo the front brakes, calipers pads and rotors, (PS caliper was seized on a crazy angle and wore the rotor down on and angle as well), and want to update it as best I can. One last thing, there are no backing plates on there right now.....what do you all think about needing them???? I know not having them probably prevents the buildup of mud and crap and is easier to clean out, but are there any negative effects to not having them??

Thanks,

grumpy

[Fullload]

Well as far as the calipers are concerned, why do you feel the need to replace them? The work well. You concerned about a low pedal with all the fluid a small sammy master has to push?

The rotors ( when you replace them) are a PITA and the wheel studs have to get punded out and there should be two bolts holding them as well. Not to mention the wheelbearings hub have to come off first to access them.

Don't worry about the backing plates. no i'll effects to my knowledge.

[SamiFlyer]

All Toyota 4x4 truck calipers from 79 to 95 are four-piston. The solid axle ones (79-85) have two large pistons and two small pistons and are narrow for use with a solid rotor. 4 cylinder IFS calipers until 95 are the same except they are wider for use with a vented rotor. V6 IFS calipers are four-piston but they have four large pistons and are wide for use with a vented rotor.


Sean :cool:

[Grumpy]

Well as far as the calipers are concerned, why do you feel the need to replace them? The work well. You concerned about a low pedal with all the fluid a small sammy master has to push?

Dude, the PS caliper is fawked, seized on a crazy angle, and I'm a GM guy so I'm used to the single piston type of caliper....this 4 piston stuff looks complicated, like shit can go wrong with it. (evidently something did go wrong with it already). I will snap a few pics when I get the wheel off to show you....As far as the master is concerned, it looks like Mike had replaced the stock Sammy with something else, not sure but my guess is it's from a Kick. Anyways, I want ALL of you to understand, this is the wife's truck, (if it was mine, it would be different). If she's gonna be operating it, I want it to be as close to 100% as I can make it.....If anything was to happen to her driving a truck I set up, how do you think I would feel....or her family for that matter..... :boom: They already look at me funny when I talk about offroading....As far as the steering setup is concerned, I'd love to get rid of it in favour of some type of crossover setup.....but right now, no time or money to check into it...The sleeving idea sounds good, will get to that later.

grumpy

[Grumpy]

All Toyota 4x4 truck calipers from 79 to 95 are four-piston. The solid axle ones (79-85) have two large pistons and two small pistons and are narrow for use with a solid rotor. 4 cylinder IFS calipers until 95 are the same except they are wider for use with a vented rotor. V6 IFS calipers are four-piston but they have four large pistons and are wide for use with a vented rotor.


Sean :cool:

Thanks for the info, I guess it's 4 piston calipers fer her truck!

grumpy

[zc911]

the 4 piston caliper is waaayyy more reliabel than a sliding 2 piston caliper design.
Ever have a caliper sieze on it sliders? Not fun when it catches on fire lol

That won't happen with the 4 piston setup becuase they are fixed mounted

Not to mention much better braking power.

[Grumpy]

Cool, thanks for all the info, but I'm baffled as to why the damn caliper on the PS seized up the way it did.....I will post pics of it as soon as I put the wheel off...

grumpy

[zc911]

probably a damaged seal let water in, and it rusted tight.

While you are doing all the work,you should go to the vented rotor setup.

[Grumpy]

Sounds like a good idea, but how much extra trouble is is gonna be?? I got my hands full just trying to get it ready for May.....

grumpy

[SamiFlyer]

Sounds like a good idea, but how much extra trouble is is gonna be?? I got my hands full just trying to get it ready for May.....

grumpy

You need '81+ Land Cruiser rotors (I always use 1982 FJ60 when I have to specify a year and model) and you need either of the IFS calipers. It's a direct bolt on. You will need to bend/trim the splash guard a little and that's it.


Sean :cool:

[Grumpy]

Thanks dude, gonna check into it tomorrow.....

grumpy

[zc911]

the calipers are gonna be expensive, in the range of $150-$200 each plus core :(
anyone have a good cheap source :D

[SamiFlyer]

the calipers are gonna be expensive, in the range of $150-$200 each plus core :(
anyone have a good cheap source :D

I bought mine brand new for the RadioFlyer and they weren't that expensive. If I remember I paid about $75 each. I got them from Canadian Tire too.


Sean :cool:

[zc911]

what your kidding, thats nuts. Gotta check crappy tire then