I read a few sites & threads saying to upgrade my brakes with LC rotors and V6 calipers. Well, guess I shoulda read more into it, because I just bought a set of S12W calipers off a 90 V6 4Runner, only to later find out that there's a later S13WB that fits wider rotors and has different rebuild kits. None of the upgrade writeups mention this fine point, they just say to favor V6 calipers because they move more fluid than the I4 ones.

Is there any difference in their performance? Should I bother with the hassle of exchanging them for the later calipers?

 

What vehicle are we upgrading?

:wabbit2:

 

My '81. I've already got '81 Landcruiser rotors en route.

 

Here is a good article with pics:
http://drivendaily.org/s30-toyota-brake-upgrades/

Looks like by part number you got the right ones.

:wabbit2:

 

That article you sent me glosses over the fact that there are two styles of "big daddy" (as they call em) Yota calipers, the 88-92 S12W - what I bought - and the 93-95 S13WB. Both calipers have fins, albeit with slightly different patterns.

Whether the S12W fits the LC rotors is something I'll find out as soon as my rotors arrive in the mail. Whether there's anything to be gained from hunting down the later calipers... is what I'm trying to find out here. I know that the rebuild kits are not the same, leading me to wonder if the pistons are slightly bigger or something.

What've you always ordered, 88-92 ones?

 

You got the right ones

:wabbit2:

 

And they fit my Landcruiser rotors that just arrived, with about 1mm of clearance on each side. They're dirty, but the rubber piston seals look good, so I won't bother with a rebuild kit.