Drum to Disc Conversion

Hi everyone.
I have a 2000 Tundra that the previous owner converted rear drums to disc. I went to change the brakes and to my surprise I find Ford calipers. Don't know from what type of Ford, Don't know what brake pads it takes and Don't know what rotors to buy. I've done some research with numbers stamped on the calipers and it points to Mustang calipers. I would appreciate any input from anyone. Thank you!

 

That’s some ingenuity right there. Haha

Must’ve had a parts vehicle to play around with to do that. Probably didn’t want to pay to go the Tundra to Sequoia rear disc brake conversion route.

 

Could it be an older version of the SOS Performance disc brake conversion? They use FJ Cruiser calipers now, but I know they've used different calipers in the past.

 

Yeah, pretty clever. I'd be interested to see how the axle and bearing housing transition from Toyota to Ford.

Need more pics!

 

Whats the number circled in orange?

vfcd 73078 didnt come up as anything.

can probably see the adapter plate circled in blue.

 

I knew I had read this somewhere before about SOS using Ford calipers at some point. Found this thread on that /other/ Tundra forum. Could be heresy from just one post, but I think I've seen reference elsewhere before too while researching a rear disc conversion for my own truck.

 

I've also come across info mentioning both Skys Offroad and Front Range also used to do a rear disc conversion kit for these axles.

 

Cast number appears to be VFCC 2307-8. Cursory search says those are rear calipers for either a Thunderbird or Mustang.

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/rear-disc-brakes-seized.296205/

Not familiar with the older SOS kits, but I wonder about the rotor itself though. Might be a Toyota one, since Fords have a smaller hub bore and the Mustangs are 5-lug.

 

A bit more searching...

It looks like that casting number is for 89-92 Thunderbirds and Cougars. T-birds are five lug though.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=2037100&cc=1430181&pt=1704&jsn=779



These Fords supposedly have a 6X139.7 bolt pattern, but the Ranger and Maverick for example still have too small of a hub bore.

 

Just because the caliper is ford doesn't mean that the rotor is. There's no telling what vehicle it came off of if it's unmarked.

 

I agree, the TS thread says the older SOS kit uses rotors "designed for those calipers", so just wanted to eliminate that possibility. If OP takes exact measurements of the rotors, I can tell them if they're the same size as my Sequoia/FJ/4Runner ones.

 

Could someone enlighten me on the practical reason to do such a conversion? I'm not buying stopping power. Properly adjusted drums do that just fine. I've got a Class A CDL, and I've adjusted plenty of brakes. Cooling I could see. But let's be real. We're not racing these trucks. Towing? Nah. If you're towing, a trailer brake controller is the responsible way to go. I could almost see disc brakes on the rear being problematic in offroad applications with rocks, gravel, silt and such getting in the seals and between pads and rotors. Also with relatively light weight in an empty bed, lock-up could be a problem without proper proportioning systems. So, why mess with perfectly good engineering my friends?

 

And seriously, if appearance is the reason, you need to seek mental health.

 

I agree for most people that are street driving this isn't a worthy upgrade and to look into the front brakes first if you must upgrade, especially from the 13WEs. With a bigger master cylinder and manual proportioning valve to easily adjust the brakes, my truck personally stops a lot better. Messing with the stock LSPV and drums did not net the same result beforehand. My driving style is different than others though, and I do a lot of spirited driving off-road with heavy sudden braking and my bed is never empty.

 

Yes. I could totally get behind upgrading the front brakes. Unfortunately I've got the 16" wheels. So, it'll have to wait for now.

 

When adjusted and working properly, drums are fine. The problem is that they are so God damn finicky. Combine that with a 20 year old prop valve that may no longer be working correctly and it starts to get annoying. Also, the bell cranks have to be adjusted just right. That's another layer.

My brakes are noticably better when I haul my dirt bike on the hitch. I've tried adjusting the proportion valve and can't get the same results. This tells me that old prop valve isn't working exactly as designed. If I had the patience or time I would convert to rear discs.

 

Being vented rotors would they maybe have been from a front application originally? I’ve never seen vented on the rear, although I’m certainly no authority on it. Not sure that helps figure out what they are though.

 

Seems that the LSPV is available. At least for my 2003. Can't imagine they changed much from '02 to '03. Seems less expensive than a conversion. I have read through the brake adjustment sticky. Obviously not for the average DIYer. But, I'm glad parts are still available.
Toyota (47910-34070)
$250

 

Its an age-old debate at this point. And your points are completely fair. Though the one caveat being "perfectly good engineering", cause the stock Tundra brakes are complete shit--even when adjusted properly. And if you look at the brake evolution from Toyota themselves, it supports that it was most defintely NOT perfectly good engineering. They went from the 199mm ones up to the 231mm ones in a production change. Maybe that was with the introduction of the 5-speed trans? I dunno. But it def speaks volumes to me that they knew the brakes were shit and they tried to fix it. (also on the idea of perfectly good engineering, might I just state "LBJs" here.... cause those are also pefectly good engineering....)

And as @FirstGenVol stated - these drum brakes are finicky as shit. Which is 100% why I did the SOS rear disc kit on my 2006 at the same time I went GX460 fronts. Was it a shit-ton of money? yes (Donig it over, I'd prob do DIY with a Sequoia axle....) Do the front GX460 brakes probably make the most difference? Yes. But IDGAF to mess with those finicky damn rear drum brakes any more. I'll take rear disc brakes every single time on passenger cars and trucks (i dont know shit about anything bigger) JUST because they are easier to work on.

I'll just add a couple other questions... Why did the Sequoia of the same generation have disc rear brakes? Why did the newer generation Tundra go to rear disc brakes? And now the newer generations of Tacoma also went to rear disc brakes?

 

My truck stops fine. Even towing. But i dont panic stop.

 

I'm not going to argue that there's evolution in design and engineering. At the time that was "perfectly good engineering". I agree that there are justifiable upgrades. I personally will continue to maintain and adjust what I have. They work. I will consider a front brake rotor and caliper upgrade, because it's justifiable. Seems like a lot of brain damage and needless spending to fuck with the rear, IMO. As we see from the OP, someone threw in a "hack", and now what did that get them? Brain damage. Again, IMO.

 

don’t fucking tempt me

 

I've actually seen these on some RICE shitboxes here in PHX. Sweet mods kids. Sweet mods.

 

So I shouldnt update my older truck with any evolutions of engineering? And again, the Sequoia of the SAME generation--a very similar vehicle--got disc rear brakes.

Brain damage? What a dumbass comment. There has been disc conversions for front and rear axles for YEARS on many vehicles. Brain damage to keep fukkin with the drum brake rear when there have been evolutions in engineering. IMO, of course.

And again, this really looks like the early SOS kit. OP could give them a call and just ask them. Good folks to deal with, IMO.

 

You do you, man.

 

So it's like this, I could stick a perfectly engineered carburetor on a SBC, but why go backwards in technology when there's an option that not only works better, but is easier? I'd do the swap in a heartbeat just to eliminate those finicky ass old school drums and update to modern disks.

 

You do you, man.

 

Kool! Drilled faux rotors!

 

Where's the OP? Is PHM back?

 

i've got a feeling the hand man knows drums are superior & easy to adjust.