Rear disc conversion for 2nd gen taco's

Mudbug, it sounds like you know more about the big rigs so let me ask (if you know,) whether like cars, big rigs stop better with discs because of the heat dissipation as opposed to drum brakes. I know from auto and motorcycle racing that heat is the biggest reason for brake fade and that's where the discs really outperform drums. But now I'm wondering if big rigs use larger discs that have similar sized swept areas (contact surface) to the drum brakes. Just curious.

 

Yes those front discs on 18 wheelers have monstrous calipers. Brake fade is a big problem with big rigs. Have you ever heard of a "jake brake"? It's an engine brake that they use so they don't have to step on their brakes. If you don't have a jake brake and your going through hilly terrain loaded you are in for a wild ride!
I've never seen a big rig with discs all around although I suppose it could exist. Just front ones. It's really more of a bling thing in the trucking world than anything although they do work damn well.

My father is an owner operator as well as my grandfather and two uncles. I grew up around this stuff.

 

Has anyone swapped out the stock rubber brake lines for stainless ones (on a stock tacoma)?

Here's a great articles on disc brakes - was in the August 07 issue of Petersons...
http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/drivetrain/131_0708_4x4_disc_brakes/index.html

I swapped discs into my jeep - and that was because I swapped axles with larger brakes than stock AND I'm running 35's. I actually needed more bore and my ebrake sucked to say the least. The disc brake conversion in my situation was ideal...as my brakes are 100% better than they were. Not only that - but on extreme inclines/declines while offroad (tellico), the brakes actually hold the vehicle now (instead of my foot againest the floor). I swapped out my master cylinder and my prop valve.

 

I know Pb2themax changed out his rubber hoses to Stainless. You can PM him and ask him about the details. I wouldn't be surprised if he already had a detailed write up about the process

 

I was curious to know if his rig was stock and if he felt any differences in the braking since putting stainless lines on....
Thanks!

But then again....another mod I'd like to do but have to withdraw myself back into reality. Too many other things to buy first!

 

I read in a Magazine article (can't remember which one) on a test of the 06' 4x4 Tacoma and this was one of the subjects that came up and they said that in tests the stopping distance was comparable to a Porsche 911sc Carrera which has 4 wheel disc brakes.
I'm not sure of that, but I can tell you that the brakes on my 07' 4x4 are no slouches - I had to stand on my brakes for a deer one time and let me tell you the disc/drum and that ABS worked awesome! I couldn't image any more G forces than that!!!
There was 3 items that I wondered about after buying my truck, yea, the rear drums, no locking gas cap and no illuminated 4wd switch.
Bought a locking gas cap (Stant) , but can live without the other two items.
I'd rather spend the money on gas mileage mods that give you return on the dollars spent.
One thing to remember - DO NOT pump ABS brakes or you will negate the effectiveness of straight line braking.
Marty

 

That's odd... Every 4wd show I see on TV puts discs on offroad/mud trucks. They usually say something about how drums collect water and mud and don't stop as well afterwards. Maybe it's just easier to do discs for them... Bolt on the disc, bolt on the caliper, and it's about done. Oh, and then they can just look at the pads to know how worn they are without pulling a drum cover, adjusting the shoes, etc. Big pain in the ass just to make sure you have enough pad left.


Either way, the truck stops ok, but I'm not sure if it would've stopped as fast as my buddy's "new" 2002 Ford with 4-wheel disc. He slammed on the brakes at 55mph to make a last minute turn. Not sure if my truck would've made it. Then again I haven't slammed on the brakes like that in a while. The ABS system in this truck makes me real hesitant to slam on the brakes unless it's an emergency.

What would be nice though, is more balanced braking power between front and rear. At least on my Corolla anyway. Seems like it's no problem to lock up the front brakes, make the tires slide, and the rear brakes don't seem to do a damn thing. Maybe putting discs on that one would help.

 

see, I wish I had that! Then I would know the brakes are working. But I can leave marks with the front tires, and no marks or hopping from the rear. Shoes look good, I even had them replaced once by a shop, but it never made a difference.

 

Most new big rigs are now running disc brakes all the way around. I work at a heavy truck repair shop in northern Michigan. We do a LOT of work on 8 axle asphalt trailers, and new ones are coming with all disc brakes, which btw is about half the cost of drum brakes on friction replacement. But I digress...