Rear drum brake conversion to disc brake

Hello all,
I’m wondering if it is worth it to do the conversion of the rear drum brakes to disc brakes on my 2017 Tacoma. I also saw there are several different kits, not sure which one I would need and if it’s super difficult.
Thanks!

 

Lots of welding required. Why do u feel u need rear drum brakes?

 

Some people say converting from drums to disks is one of the best 'bang for you buck' mods you can do. If you tow a lot, I can see this being very beneficial.

 

Just for the looks????

 

“Super difficult” is relative. Who is doing the work? StopTech makes several drum to rear disk conversions. $1500 - $2500 ish + labor.

 

Normally I like a drum to disc conversion, and I did those conversions on my Jeep but honestly the Tacoma drums seem well enough designed (and I have no problems) that I see no reason to change. I use the parking brake 100% of the time and they just plain work so far.

 

I guess if you're towing near the limit the truck can pull. But I pull a 3k trailer while on 35s and don't have any issues to speak of.

 

you will still need a set of drums for the parking break.

 

If you tow enough to need more brakes, you need trailer brakes. Rear discs will do practically nothing to help with towing, that’s not how rear brakes work. They are severely limited in their strength and brake fluid pressure to prevent lockup in any condition. If they are strong enough to help when towing, then guaranteed they will lockup when the truck is unloaded and you’ll pop a 180 on the road.

And actually drums are usually more capable of heavy braking than discs, but the reason they aren’t ideal in modern day is because they don’t always keep adjusted properly like they’re supposed to. The reason drums went away isn’t because discs stop better.

 

There is zero welding required a few co's such as SOS Performance make a full bolt on kit and it's an easy one day driveway install

 

Good point. I hadn't thought about that.

 

Having done this on my 2017, it's not really worth the money spent. There is zero welding required and the parking brake is maintained. I ended up with the SOS kit. At the time there was only one other kit that was made/sold by Pedders and their price was considerably more than the SOS kit. SOS uses components from the 4Runner. The only fabricated portion is the backing plate. They also sell a master cylinder upgrade from the Sequoia.

 

Wow. I would had thought there would need to be a bracket welded for the calipers. I've never actually done any research into it as I've never thought it a necessary mod.

 

SOS fabricates a backing plate. Swapping it onto the axle is probably the hardest part of the conversion. The backing plate is used for the drum-style parking brake.

 

If you are doing it for looks go ahead, don't expect a lot of better stopping performance out of it though.

There are tons of threads on why Tacomas still have drums.. It all comes down to they do the job.

 

so you've never actually looked into it and know nothing about it but felt like responding to this guys question with that statement was the way to go ?

 

Actually there was considerable difference in braking distance and feel. Many people drove my truck and really liked it. The only reason I say it's not worth it, is the expense, energy, and some of the design coming out of SOS.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO1zXrgNwr4

The process. Bearing press isn't necessary if you're willing to cut off the old backing plate.

 

I did a rear drum to disk on my Celica Gt only because it's way easier to swap pads instead of shoes. GTS calipers and backing plates. Easy bolt on.
I don't think it's worth the work or expense on the Taco.

 

You don't have to weld anything.