Has anyone retrofitted disc brakes in the rear?

So before I start, let’s assume we are not going to focus on cost, let’s set that discussion aside, I’m interested in feasibility as I f money wasn’t a factor - my cousin has a mechanic shop and is a certified mechanic.

Has anyone done this before? If so what did it entail? And if you have done it, what DID it cost you?

Aside from routing fluid lines (not sure if it would use the same lines as drums), does it affect the stability/controls?

Fluid levels in the resovoir, does the the resovoir even have capacity to service 4 lines?

Can it bolt on in place of where the drums were without major retrofitting? I have seen lots out there for older gen Tacoma’s...this is about 3rd gen and all the extra technology we have...

Hate drum brakes even though they are cheaper to manufacture and last longer, we can all agree disc brakes are far superior for many reasons (but this is not the debate or point of this thread)

Ready, set - GO!

 

Ive seen it done already just use google. Ive driven cars with 4 wheel disc brakes and cars and this tacoma with drum brakes in the back and I honestly feel no difference at all.

 

Wonder if the 4runner rear discs would bolt on.

 

This.

Some people (not the OP) bitch about the drum brakes and there’s no real reason. They work great.

 

Thanks. Yes my thoughts are more curiosity based than bitching for sure lol..

 

@stevotivo12 has done it and a BBK too.

 

Care to state reasons why? Will my braking distance be cut in half? Or at all?

I’m all for moving to discs all around, but more for ease of maintenance. Other than that, I see no reason to make the change.

But doing it for the sake of doing it. I do remember someone going through it. Using 4Runner axle. Cutting spring mounts and adding leaf’s. Making sure gearing is the same. Useless mod and waste of money.

 

there is definitely a difference and it's not a small one in feel alone. don't get me wrong, I'm actually satisfied with my stock rear drums and if i was to put money in my brakes i would get a BBK first for performance reasons. but anyway, the initial bite on drums is generally less than discs, quickly followed by a strong non-linear grab that increases if you don't let off pressure, and these drums do that too. any similar softness in factory disc brakes is typically from the pads and a bit from OE rubber brake lines. you can make quick improvements with disc brake feel by attending to those, but with drums you're basically stuck with the non-linear spongy thing.

 

From what I understand, discs give you better heat dissipation, so you get less brake fade when you're on them hard. Calipers on disc brakes also clamp down harder than the setup on drums, but these are the rear brakes so most of the work is being done by the front anyway.

Are the 3rd gen's brakes as bad as the 2nd? I've read that it was down to the 2 stage brake booster.

 

Stephen i mentioned above can certainly answer that question if so inclined. i have asked him all about his brake setup. i myself am ok with stock for now, but i would definitely upgrade if i could get away with it.

 

Check out SOS Performance, they make multiple front big brake kits and rear disk conversion kits for Tacoma’s including matched master cylinder upgrades. A lot of folks including myself have already done it to help combat the added weight of a ( literal ) ton of after market goodies. If you have added any weight to the back of the truck the rear disc conversion re balances the equation and it is a massive improvement in braking feel.

 

I just dont think its worth all that work, effort, headache, and money for something thats gonna feel kinda sorta better. If you do the disc brakes in the back and have another tacoma owner drive it, i bet they wont notice a difference at all in the brakes unless you told them after. Maybe Toyota might actually listen one day at put disc brakes on the 4th gen

 

I converted my car to Rear Disc and the difference is Night and Day. It never should have left the Factory with Drums as the braking was barely adequate, made the car so much more fun to drive. I am satisfied with the brakes on my Tacoma and i cannot see it being worth swapping, but I also don't drive it the same way I do the car.

 

See my post above, it is not just a slight difference it is a huge difference. It is not a ton of work either, the kit is just a bolt on conversion parts.

 

I guess, but i agree with everyone they should have disc brakes from the factory

 

so a totally different Truck but I have done Break swaps a few times the one I did last was on my
1986 4Runner and with that I did the front break mod first and there was a Huge change. on that
I took the disks and calipers off a V6 4Runner and put them on my truck the disks are the same size but the calipers have bigger pistons so the clamping power is better this mod made the biggest change in my breaks on that truck
as for my tacoma I have now If I did a break swap this is what I will do once I find the parts to fit our trucks

 

Don't understand hate for Drums. Drums can lock the wheels on semi-trucks. HTFU and learn to change drum shoes.

 

My brakes on the 4x2 are awesome but when I test drove a pro the extra weight of the 4x4 made the brakes feel slightly not as good like I had a truck full of people

 

https://sosperformance.com/products...-with-parking-brake-slash-tr-dot-ps2-dot-ta16


And a different video with the install process from a different company. Looks to be a royal pain in the buttocks, but you probably wouldn't be doing it yourself anyway.

 

Please Watch and understand.
https://youtu.be/-eIuvY5hnbY