Brake upgrade for 1986 4X4

[vamprobozombie]

Been pouring over forums for brake upgrade options should my father decide to put in more power for his 86.  Finding lots of dead links and no longer available stuff.  For upgrading the the fronts looks like woodward sells a kit although also need to upgrade to 16 inch wheels.  Was also wondering if anybody went with disks on the rear.  Both the front and rear stock brakes have a bad habit of rusting up and getting stuck at least in Connecticut.  I am not against drum brakes but these are not particularly good ones.  Also wondering if swapping the master cylinder is recommended with any of the suggested changes.

 

He currently has a 2" lift and looking to probably upgrade to bigger wheels anyway.

 

As always thank you for your time and if I missed a good post outlining options for this year feel free to let me know.

 

 

[Smokeyyank]

If you're running close to stock tire size no need to go for a Woodward kit. It's a lot of money for not a lot of added value, best bet is to get everything cleaned up and do the 96 plus brake boosterand possibly consider some black magic brake pads. There's a write-up in the DIY section I'm pretty sure for the booster item. in regards to rear disc depends what rear actually have. Best bet is going to be finding a liberty 8.25 with disc already  You would just need to make it spring under the rest of it's pretty bolt on. Obviously we just need to find one with matching gear ratios. Other option is finding 98 to 99 XJ axles.

[ctxj93]

Where in CT are ya? I would agree, the 96 dual diaphragm booster and master cyl set up should be plenty, especially if you were to disk swap the rear. 

[Pete M]

the link in my sig has a bunch of brake ideas  

[ghetdjc320]

7 hours ago, vamprobozombie said:

Been pouring over forums for brake upgrade options should my father decide to put in more power for his 86.  Finding lots of dead links and no longer available stuff.  For upgrading the the fronts looks like woodward sells a kit although also need to upgrade to 16 inch wheels.  Was also wondering if anybody went with disks on the rear.  Both the front and rear stock brakes have a bad habit of rusting up and getting stuck at least in Connecticut.  I am not against drum brakes but these are not particularly good ones.  Also wondering if swapping the master cylinder is recommended with any of the suggested changes.

 

He currently has a 2" lift and looking to probably upgrade to bigger wheels anyway.

 

As always thank you for your time and if I missed a good post outlining options for this year feel free to let me know.

 

 

The Wilwood kit is a nice setup (planning on running myself soon) but not needed unless your running 33”+ tires or are towing or racing. Being you have an 86 do you know what rear axle you have? There are rear disk kits available for all the different models but there are some differences. Try to identify both the axle model and year. 
 

The master cylinder will need to be selected AFTER your braking system is selected since you need to leverag the right hydraulic ratio. You caliper piston sizes and count will determine what size MC is needed. 9 times out of 10 you’ll keep the stock size or be within a 1/16” of the stock bore unless upgrading to larger axles/brakes. 
 

 Check out the DIY section regarding brake mods. There are several helpful posts there that can shed some light and help you get started

[cruiser54]

Dual diaphragm booster and rear discs. That's where I would start. Done it numerous times. 

[ghetdjc320]

12 hours ago, cruiser54 said:

Dual diaphragm booster and rear discs. That's where I would start. Done it numerous times. 

Do you recall if all mj years had the same firewall pattern for the booster? I know the one on my 91 is 3 3/8” square. Only thing I know that changed was the booster to pedal connection and brake light switch on the pre HO’s. 

[cruiser54]

Yes

[Jeep Driver]

[ghetdjc320]

19 minutes ago, Jeep Driver said:

[vamprobozombie]

Checked with my father and he has a dana 44.  Should be adequate as long as he doesn't do extreme offroading.  He uses it as a plow truck and to move engine parts around while looking cool and likes the really long bed.  Dana 44 should hold up to even an LS as long as he doesn't offroad it. Found this one here.

 

https://www.tsmmfg.net/jeep-cherokee-comanche-dana-44-complete-rear-disc-brake-kit-2562-44.html

 

And saw some forum posts about modifying explorer stuff.  Looks like custom rotors no matter what you do but my father does work at an aircraft grade machine shop although he does not have a lot of free time.  Forum post mentioned the TSM setup above uses GM pads and calipers so would be nice to identify replacements.  i think replacing the whole axel might be overkill but am open to options.  That wilword setup above looks really nice.  Also is a premium for the ebrakes with the TSM so wondering if you guys suggest a driveline brake.

 

Thanks for the input on the Dual diaphragm booster.  i know the firewall is different on the 86 vs all the other years so maybe need some pics from my father.  If anyone can confirm fit on an 86 as well as a part number that would be nice.

 

Thanks for the help.

[Pete M]

that part of the firewall by the booster should be identical.  

[ghetdjc320]

55 minutes ago, vamprobozombie said:

Checked with my father and he has a dana 44.  Should be adequate as long as he doesn't do extreme offroading.  He uses it as a plow truck and to move engine parts around while looking cool and likes the really long bed.  Dana 44 should hold up to even an LS as long as he doesn't offroad it. Found this one here.

 

https://www.tsmmfg.net/jeep-cherokee-comanche-dana-44-complete-rear-disc-brake-kit-2562-44.html

 

And saw some forum posts about modifying explorer stuff.  Looks like custom rotors no matter what you do but my father does work at an aircraft grade machine shop although he does not have a lot of free time.  Forum post mentioned the TSM setup above uses GM pads and calipers so would be nice to identify replacements.  i think replacing the whole axel might be overkill but am open to options.  That wilword setup above looks really nice.  Also is a premium for the ebrakes with the TSM so wondering if you guys suggest a driveline brake.

 

Thanks for the input on the Dual diaphragm booster.  i know the firewall is different on the 86 vs all the other years so maybe need some pics from my father.  If anyone can confirm fit on an 86 as well as a part number that would be nice.

 

Thanks for the help.

The Dana 44 should hold up just fine. 
 

A driveline brake is actually a really nice setup. Parts Mike had a setup for the NP231 last I checked. Teraflex makes a kit specific to the pre 1990 XJ/MJ Dana 44’s with the correct spacers. You can use stock e brake cables along with the little adapter from Lokar or similar. They fit the ZJ, Wilwood and Explorer e brake levers on the back of the backing plate.