Which rotors for my 85

[STAGE 2]

Went to tirerack and found some options to upgrade the rotors on my truck (1985 sr5 4x4). They have vented brembos...

http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brak...oModel=Pick-up+4wd&autoYear=1985&autoModClar=

and slotted DBA 4x4 rotors....

http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brak...oModel=Pick-up+4wd&autoYear=1985&autoModClar=


I've heard a couple people talk about how they like their brembos, and even though they aren't slotted, they are vented which should be an improvement over stock. I haven't heard anything about this specific DBA rotor, however some of the guys on the ricer forums have had problem with stress cracks in a different model. I assume that slotted would be a more noticable improvement over both stock and brembo, but I don't want to pay twice as much for something thats going to crack.

 

[austintaco]

Is there a reason that you don't want to swap to IFS Calipers and Cruiser rotors?

 

[STAGE 2]

Is there a reason that you don't want to swap to IFS Calipers and Cruiser rotors?

I'm running the stock wheels and don't wish to change.

 

[ntsqd]

I'm running the Cruiser vented rotors and I forget which caliper (NOT the V6 4rnnr caliper w/ the fabled larger pistons) on my '84. Not stock wheels, but no clearance issues either. No spacers of any sort.
Are stock wheels known to not clear the slightly wider rotor/caliper combo?

 

[BIGdaddy]

brembo's are the only thing we put on the Bimmers, Mercedes and Porsche's that came in, when I worked at a nice BMW/Porsche shop here in San diego.

For the 2 years I worked there we'd only stock that brand because no-one ever came in with the "warped roter" issue once we switched to that brand. They were all the vented type.

Very good rotor for the money, as in good quality control and overall performance.

Cheers!

 

[jeff parker]

Are you having problems with brake fade or warping with your current rotors?

If not, just go stock.

 

[slus]

Are you having problems with brake fade or warping with your current rotors?

If not, just go stock.

Good advice. Many people (especially here I've noticed) over complicate things. If you're not having problems with the stock brakes as it is, spending 100+ on rotors will just be a waste, especially with the stock anemic brake system.

I ran 24 dollar rotors and pads from Napa that were 15 dollars for the pair for 3 years with no issues. Save your money for a brake upgrade in the future if you don't want to do one now. I'm running 13" rotors and 4 piston calipers from a Tundra on my 84 now. LC rotors and V6 calipers are also good and far easier, and will end up being about the same price or less than high dollar brembo rotors and a set of Hawk pads...

 

[STAGE 2]

Are you having problems with brake fade or warping with your current rotors?

If not, just go stock.

No, but they need to be changed out as they are too thin to be turned anymore.

Good advice. Many people (especially here I've noticed) over complicate things. If you're not having problems with the stock brakes as it is, spending 100+ on rotors will just be a waste, especially with the stock anemic brake system.

The oem rotors are around 70 bucks. The specific brembos that I'm looking at (the above ones I linked to are actually incorrect) are 35. If they give the same or better performance I'm going to be saving some scratch.

 

[SeattleMike]

The oem rotors are around 70 bucks. The specific brembos that I'm looking at (the above ones I linked to are actually incorrect) are 35. If they give the same or better performance I'm going to be saving some scratch.

I own an '85 pick up and stock parts are getting expensive because they are getting harder to find. I wouldn't think twice about choosing Brembo over stock if everything clears because it can only be considered an improvement over stock.

Just don't expect drastically improved performance. The difference will only be noticed in heavy, continued braking situations (like you would find on a twisty race track being run at high speeds) which is where the Brembos were designed to be used. Far less fade, no warping, and quicker cool down versus stock is where the difference is... and none of that occurs much in daily driving.

 

[MtnToys]

I'm running the stock wheels and don't wish to change.

My 84 FJ60 had the same stock wheels as my 85 sr5 4runner.
I'm Cruiser rotors and the larger IFS 4runner calipers on my 85 4runner with stock wheels.

 

[slus]

No, but they need to be changed out as they are too thin to be turned anymore.



The oem rotors are around 70 bucks. The specific brembos that I'm looking at (the above ones I linked to are actually incorrect) are 35. If they give the same or better performance I'm going to be saving some scratch.

In that case, go for it. Those are brembos OEM replacement rotors, basically OEM specs. I checked Napa and their OEM replacements are 27 now, so I wouldnt think twice about spending an extra few bucks for Brembos.

I'd be willing to bet they are not vented rotors for that price though, regardless of what the site picture shows. 86+ came with vented, 85 and before were solid, and I'd guess that's what every OEM replacement line will be. I have actually never ran across vented rotors for a stock 85 or older truck, I've seen cross drilled and slotted, never vented, but then again I've never set out looking for them. They are pretty thin rotors to put vents in though.

 

[STAGE 2]

In that case, go for it. Those are brembos OEM replacement rotors, basically OEM specs. I checked Napa and their OEM replacements are 27 now, so I wouldnt think twice about spending an extra few bucks for Brembos.

I'd be willing to bet they are not vented rotors for that price though, regardless of what the site picture shows. 86+ came with vented, 85 and before were solid, and I'd guess that's what every OEM replacement line will be. I have actually never ran across vented rotors for a stock 85 or older truck, I've seen cross drilled and slotted, never vented, but then again I've never set out looking for them. They are pretty thin rotors to put vents in though.

You are correct, these rotors are not vented.

 

[slus]

You are correct, these rotors are not vented.

Interestingly, though, those DBA rotors are in fact vented. I still wouldnt argue getting those, since it would come out to roughly the same price initially to upgrade to LC rotors and IFS calipers and far cheaper in the long run, but it is a neat option. Nice find.

 

[ntsqd]

The problem with the V6 IFS caliper is that they have different piston sizes than the stock caliper. If you have a later model truck this swap can be a good thing. These late Live Axle trucks have tiny master cylinders on them. Putting on the large bore IFS calipers results in excessive pedal travel. Can put a larger bore m/c on, but then you've spent more money and gotten nothing for it since the overall leverage ratio is nearly the same as stock.

I *think* that I used the stock FJ60 calipers as they have the same piston sizes as the stock caliper, they just have a wider slot in the caliper body for the slightly wider vented rotor. Personally I would not spend money on trick brake parts, but I would strongly suggest going to a vented rotor.

 

[ccannon222]

The FJ60 and 86-early 90's 4 cyl calipers are the same and both work on 79-85 PU/4R's using the FJ60 rotor. I have run stock 85, FJ60 rotors and calipers and FJ60 rotors with V6 IFS calipers on my vehicles. The only difference I have noticed between the stock 85 setup and the FJ60/ 4 cyl IFS setup is the FJ60/4 cyl setup does not fad as much on long hard braking applications. Such as long mtn grades.
The V6 setup when coupled with a larger bore master cylinder (15/16 or 1") and dual diaphram booster works the best. Not only do the V6 calipers have larger cylinders, it uses a larger brake pad. There are two problems people tend to run into with this setup.
1. Wheel clearance. Not all wheels clear the V6 caliper without wheel spacers or grinding of the caliper
2. Most dual diaphram brake boosters will not clear the larger steering U-joint used on the solid axle PU/4R. I have solved this by running a FJ60 brake booster, which is a dual diaphram booster but smaller in dia than the V6 ones.
Also, the 15/16" bore master cylinder used on the 88 V6 trucks flows enough fluid for the V6 calipers, but gives you a little more leverage than the 1" ones most people use.
Also, most 2 wheel drive PU's from 1990 to 2003 use a similar small dia dual diaphram booster as the FJ60. Much cheaper also.

I would recommend going with FJ60 rotors and either FJ60/4cyl IFS or V6 IFS calipers. The brake fad with the solid rotors can be dangerous in the mtn's.

Chris