Rear Disc Brake Conversion

My 2016 is going to need a rear brake service this summer, so I started thinking about converting the rear drums to discs.

https://runnin4tacos.com/products/rear-disc-brake-conversion-kit-2005-2020-toyota-tacoma

Anyone done it? Is it worth it?

 

Millions of threads on this.

Basically it has no return on the investment. The drums are sufficiant and replacing the drums to discs serves little advantage. Even with towing there's no point.

 

Do it. I'll be doing it when it's time for that service.

I thought I had the thread for it in my watched threads, but I can't find it right now. Sorry, or else I'd link you to it. Maybe some other 3rd gen degenerate can save us.

 

I still may do it when the time comes just because I don't like messing with drum brakes.

 

I too dislike drum brakes. The last time I worked on them was 1987 or 88, on the ‘70 Camaro I drove in high school.

If I keep my Tacoma long enough to need the rear shoes replaced, I’ll just pay to have it done. New shoes and drums will be far less expensive than a conversion. And the computer controlled bias, ABS and such won’t be impacted.

 

I too will be doing this conversion

 

My research has been that it could make sense for the DIY enthusiast but likely less so for someone who can’t do it for themselves (like me). But where do you stop is the question. For Tundra some have contemplated Sequoia axle and coils. Which sounds pretty cool but the net change for that level of effort is the big ? If you had a donor vehicle and skills it might make sense but all the trickery to the front / rear adjustment and the master cylinder and and then you’re kind of on your own for troubleshooting.

For towing and most truck related stuff, sticking with drums makes a ton of sense. For racing or high performance stuff I can see the value. I’ve been talked out of it and I’m glad I listened. I need a lot more shop space and skills before I’d pursue it again for myself.

 

Okay maybe we should talk about the benefits......

 

I too would much rather have rear discs, but I can't imagine it being worth the conversion price. The drums aren't that bad.

 

Back in my Honda days we would convert our Civic hatchbacks from rear drum to Integra rear disck.
Number one reason and most importantly was it looked cool.
Second, easier to inspect and change break pads.
Third, disks were better for dissipating heat when canyon carving or track.
Stopping distance was the same.

Now for a Tacoma all applies except for canyon carving.
Well it might help when towing . Also I believe drums may get water trapped in them. Disks are open so no water trapping.

 

I've had toyota pickups since the 70's, strange as it is i've never had to service the rear drum brakes on them for at least 150k miles. The front disc's are another story. Last tundra i had to install higher grade rotors due to warping. Replacing brake pads over the same time frame was far more expensive than drum brake shoes ever were.

 

I am a fan. Nothing empirical to add, but I have converted with GX460 all around front and rear. I think it is a much more efficient system just not as economical for production. Even 5th wheel trailers are now coming with disc brakes on them. I don’t tow mine with my taco, but I don’t think it was done so truckers felt cool when canyon carving.

 

The rear drums work fine. They do need to be cleaned out (possibly adjusted as well) occasionally as brake dust can really accumulate.

 

I did this upgrade a long time ago after going to 35s. Back when the only thing you could find in a search were people claiming it was snake oil. I had an immediate and noticeable difference in stopping performance with the basic kit.

I upgraded to EBC pads and rotors, eventually I got around to doing the master cylinder and it was even better.
Now I’m Stop Tech all around.

If you are going to purchase I suggest getting them straight from the source. https://sosperformance.com/

Tom is very responsive and accommodating. I suggest calling, he’ll take care of you.
I had a problem with a parking brake cable and he overnighted one to me over the weekend without me even asking. Stand up dude.

 

If you are never going to use 16" wheels, ever, on your Tacoma, you would be better off buying one of the many big front brake kits which will give you Superior stopping power than stock fronts and disk rears.

 

How do you know your truck needs a rear brake service this summer?

 

Dealer likely told him... along with servicing his air filters, driveshaft fluid, and a 4 door alignment to make his truck drive straight.

im at 72k and front pads are getting close to needing replaced. Rear shoes are still great.

 

First of all, drum brakes work well. Second is they suck to work on. I did a drum to disk swap on my '00 Celica GT only because it is SO easy to replace pads as opposed to shoes and related hardware. If it wasn't a PITA I would do it on the Taco. The Celi was a simple spindle swap from a GTS.

 

Im currently today installing the SOS rear disc swap kit. I opted for their basic kit to get a baseline for where the rear of the trucks brakes need to be improved or not from there, hopefully will see a big difference compared to the oem drums. Should be a large benefit to be able to quickly analyze and diagnose issues with disc brakes, they'll expel the mud/water faster and more efficiently, provide equal braking power compared to the drums.

The drum brakes on these trucks are shit...all they do is hold in mud/sand etc and prevent the environment from properly draining causing pre-mature wear and tear on the inside pads. My last set of drums only lasted 14K miles (Yes, I pull them off and clean them often around trips). Ive blown through 3 wheel cylinders causing complete brake failure on the truck (All directly relating to poor performing drum brakes). Going through 4 complete sets of drum brakes through 98K miles. Brake bias has been checked multiple times and its to spec, the only reasoning behind the failures is the drum brakes just arent holding up to actual abuses off-road.