R1-4Runner

Ive owned 3 cars in my life...

An 1988 Mazda RX-7, a 1992 Mazda Miata, and a 1993 Infiniti J30. What all these cars have in common are 4 wheel disc brakes. I just bought my 2000 Toyota 4Runner about 4 months ago, and it has rear drums??? As you see from my list, this is my first SUV, so maybe there is some "tow" reason I dont know about, but I was under the thought that the drum system was old and very 19th Century, and discs were the new thing (came into mainstream around the 80s). From cars I have looked at in the past (80s, 90s), 4 wheel disc brakes was an upgrade, and to have that meant top of the line. Since 2000 4 wheel disc comes on your Dodge Neon, but not my limited 4Runner?

Anyone know why? Sorry for my rant, but I am having that seizing up problem whith my drums (when e-brake let off) and I am just venting . Anyone ever look to convert to rear disc?

Thanks all!
-Rob

R1-4Runner

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/tec...7/article.html

Well, I read the article above, and the last sentence of the 2nd paragraph answers it for me... thats business...

The last part of the article does say that modern drums are adequate, but still a let down for a model that it supposed to be "limited".

Now time to read how to tackle that e-brake problem. Thanks all for a forum to bitch at 1:00am haha

-Rob

bob200587

Somebody......might be all pro, makes a disc brake conversion kit. 4runners are nice but they aren't upper eschilon (sp?) when it comes to Toyotas. I've considered doing it myself. I think the main reason they don't use disc on all cars these days is to cut cost, and the fact that the front brakes do most of the stopping. The rears just hold the car when you use the parking brake. I did note that when you replace brake shoes you can get a core charge back, they can put new material on the shoes and use them again. Shoes for my 4runner will be like 8 bucks a pair.

marko3xl3

They are cheaper, that's about it. Toyota should've put them on the 3rd gens, but I guess decided against it because of the relatively low stock tow and load limit and intended speed. You would definately feel an improvement with a conversion, but they are not easy to come by "wallet economically" and especially not with intergreated parking brake. Most people loose the parking brake with a conversion.

mpavolka

If your parking brake got stuck it was probably applied when the brakes were very hot. That is the only time I have ever heard of that happening, in case you want to avoid it. If you want more braking power you can go with a 4wheel disk kit. However, you will get more bang for your buck by upgrading the front brakes.

J Dizzle

The sticking problem could be leaking axle seals if it only sticks when you initially let go of the ebrake. Either that or maybe your parking brake cable is getting stuck. I had that issue with my tacoma, but the release lever was different than my 4runner.

Ringmaster

Downey makes a conversion kit for going from drums to discs. I think if you use Chevy Monte Carlo calipers you still have the parking brake.


www.downeyoff-road.com

CJM

It isnt really needed if you upgrade to better rotors and brake pads up front.

I had a camry with 4 wheel disc, yea it was nice and that car did have some power but I think drums in the rear would have been fine too.

You wont be driving a runner or any real truck for that matter like a car and needing those rear disc brakes. Drum brakes overall are more efficent really-less can go wrong and they are totally sealed unlike discs. If you ever got some dirt on your discs you will know what I mean right away.