Re: TOY: Solid axle brakes

[Roger Brown <rogerb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Scott wrote:
> Since you're tearing it all a part to upgrade brakes, why not use the
> larger V6 calipers?

As long as you swap to the bigger V6 master cylinder too, should be OK.


DRM wrote:
> here is what I ran:
> 81 solid axle, FJ40 rotors, 1990 IFS stock 4cyl. calipers (larger, same as
> V6).
>
> With 4" backspacing on my present wheels, the caliper "fins" were in the way
> without any type of spacer at all.  I ran a 1/4" Pep Boys spacer for half a
> year before swapping to the All Pro 3/4" spacer kit.
>
> Also, when I tried using the chrome wheels I had at first for the swap they
> also needed the 1/4" spacer to clear the caliper fins.  I think these were
> 3.5" backspacing wheels, maybe 3.75".
>
> My calipers looked different, with I think 3 fins running long ways ont he
> face of the caliper.
>...
> I hate to keep saying this - but the 4 cyl. calipers at least 1990 & after
> were the SAME large ones as the V6.  I had them on my 4 cyl. already from the
> factory...

Karl wrote:
> To get the real IFS 4cyl calipers, I believe you got to specify
> 1986-1988. After those years, they went to the same larger caliper for
> both engines.
>...
> I thought about this myself. When I switched over to IFS calipers, I
> didn't really think about the V6 versus 4 cylinder issue. I got the 4
> cylinder brakes by default. One of them recently seized. I went to the
> local autostore to find out how much V6 calipers would cost. They were
> $50 plus a $95 core. The 4 cyl calipers were $30 plus a $45 core. So,
> there is $40 saved by going with 4 cylinder calipers. Also, you might
> need to grind the V6 caliper to make them fit inside a stock solid axle
> rim.

Michael wrote:
> I can confirm that grinding needs to be done to the V-6 calipers when using no
> spacer and solid axle rims.
>
> See my install on my web page at: http://pantheon.yale.edu/~mikefox/Rotors.html

That was the picture I was looking for, those balancers would rub big-time on
the V6 calipers w/o spacers.  I imagine the older IFS-4s would be the same
then.

Anyway, if one were contemplating a rear disc brake conversion, I assume a
larger MC is needed for that, too.  If so, then maybe a V6 MC with the early
IFS/4 front calipers/FJ40 rotors might be a good idea.