TR4/4A Toyota calipers for a TR4A

[tdskip]

This maybe be a bit of a repeat thread, sorry. I tried a quick search and this exact topic didn't come up but I kind of remember already asking this.

Anyway, the TR4A needs a caliper rebuild. Taking standard Moss pricing to do this;

585-522 Classic Gold Premium Ceramic Brake Pads $38.95
582-000 PISTON $14.50
583-000 REPAIR KIT (for 2 calipers) $25.95
182-100 BRAKE SHOE SET, 4 shoes $21.95

You end up with a total of about $145 (LBC and others might be less) plus getting them blasted and painted etc figure you are in the $160 range plus the time (which is at a premium these days).

The price of two new fully loaded Toyota calipers from Rock Auto is $122. Adding in converting piping from TSI for $45 you end up with a cost of about $167.

I'm kind of wondering that, save for originality, why not just go with the Toyota calipers. I did the conversion o the TR6 and they are working great.

 

[HerronScott]

Tom,

The brake shoes don't come into this calculation since they are for the rear correct? Also, for cost comparisons, are the brake pads that come with the Toyota calipers the same level since your spec'ing ceramic ones for the rebuild? RockAuto has standard BeckArnley TR4A pads for $17.51 for example.

Scott

 

[tdskip]

Well I blew that! Thanks for catching my error, a bit early here when I did this. Should look like;

585-527 Classic Gold Semi Metallic Brake Pad Set $27.95
582-000 PISTON $14.50
583-000 REPAIR KIT (for 2 calipers) $25.95

Subtotal $111.90

 

[RJS]

Hi Guys,

I am interested in some further details on the Toyota swap. Do you have part numbers for the calipers? Are they a straight bolt on with stock rotors?

I have heard the Toyota calipers are a performance upgrade if you do not care about originality. 4 piston vs. 2 piston and I read somewhere that the brake pads themselves are 45% larger, providing more friction area.

Cheers

Bob

 

[martx-5]

Here's the whole lowdown on the conversion from the vtr site. The article will tell you everything you need to do the conversion, and has some statistics on their effectiveness.

I put them on my TR3. Of course, I work for a caliper rebuilder, so I got a pair at a very favorable price.

 

[swift6]

Early cars need the later Metric bolt with standard threads of the later TR6s. The shank of the bolt is thicker and needed for the Toyota calipers. The only performance increase would be in reduced fade. There are twice as many pistons, but essentially the same piston surface area. They offer essentially the same clamping force. The Toyota pistons are also heavier, especially if you use a Cressida vented rotor.

The brake mod that will yield the most results for the money is to change the rear wheel cylinder to a larger bore and increase the rear braking capability. There is a wheel cylinder for Morgans Sunbeams and Datsun 510's that bolts right in, same brake line thread connection and externally looks identical to the original wheel cylinders.

 

[martx-5]

... The Toyota pistons are also heavier, especially if you use a Cressida vented rotor.

I didn't use the vented rotor calipers on my TR3, but I can tell you that the Toyota calipers were lighter then my TR3 calipers. The vtr article mentioned weight, but they were unsure...Sorta..."the Toyota caliper is not appreciably heavier than the Girling caliper, and may even be lighter." That's not saying anything definitive, but if they are heavier then the TR4-TR6 calipers, it won't be by much, as they are lighter then the one piece TR3 units.

 

[swift6]

Caliper weight itself is nearly a wash, but if you try to use the vented Cressida rotor then the caliper has a spacer and the rotor itself is heavier.

 

[TR4nut]

That's not saying anything definitive, but if they are heavier then the TR4-TR6 calipers, it won't be by much, as they are lighter then the one piece TR3 units.

And not to steal this thread (too much!), that's why I'm thinking about the Toyotas as well for the 59 3A - I have the one piece units, they need a rebuild and they weigh an absolute ton.

 

[martx-5]

That's not saying anything definitive, but if they are heavier then the TR4-TR6 calipers, it won't be by much, as they are lighter then the one piece TR3 units.

And not to steal this thread (too much!), that's why I'm thinking about the Toyotas as well for the 59 3A - I have the one piece units, they need a rebuild and they weigh an absolute ton.

Read that article I linked to earlier. The biggest problem with putting them on a TR3 is the caliper bracket. You will have to source them from someplace, as I don't think they are available new. The Triumph club I belong to had some TR6 front ends laying around, and I snagged the brackets from them.

 

[PeterK]

I picked up TR6 brackets on ebay for cheap for when I finally convert the 3A. These brackets are needed for TR3x only.

But all TRs will need the caliper mounting bolts from a late model TR6 - the metric shank fits the Toyota. Also slight trimming of the dust shields or remove them altogether.

 

[tdskip]

Thanks guys.

 

[TR3driver]

You may also need to trim the TR3 rotor a bit. The TR6 mounts move the caliper a little closer to the axle (which is why the TR6 rotors are smaller).

 

[PeterK]

Here's what my fronts look like on my 4A.

First I did a dry assembly on the bench

 

[PeterK]

Next, assembled on the chassis

 

[tdskip]

Look Paul - they are red!

Very nice work there Peter, they look great as does the rest of the chassis.

 

[Brosky]

Nice job Peter. That is a classy assembly. The red calipers are just a bonus, Tom. But a nice one, indeed. And don't forget the shocks too!

 

[DNK]

... The red calipers are just a bonus, Tom. But a nice one, indeed. ...

Running to hide now!

 

[PeterK]

Nice job Peter. That is a classy assembly. The red calipers are just a bonus, Tom. But a nice one, indeed. And don't forget the shocks too!

The shocks are Konis, naturally red.