Full Size Jeep Network

Hello everyone.

I'm planning some winter projects on my '79 Wagoneer, and among them is the brakes. It is currently all stock (power front disc / rear drums with original booster), and probably stops like most FSJ's with slightly worn & slightly out of adjustment rear brakes - it'll stop, but it's not the best.

I've been searching and reading threads on brake improvements. It sounds like the biggest improvement can be had by swapping to Hydroboost, and the next biggest improvement would be a rear-disc conversion.

I'm not ready to jump in that far, I think I'm just going to go thru everything and freshen it up; and do all of the wheel/axle/spindle bearings & seals and front axle u-joints while I'm in there. Fresh brake hoses as well.

So, I guess my biggest question is: Does anyone have any pads & rotors, and shoes that they either recommend or advise me to avoid? I'm not afraid to spend the money for the "high-performance" parts, but it seems like some of the comments in the other threads indicated I'd get more stopping power from a regular daily-driver type of pad & rotor.
I guess the same question goes for the bearings and u-joints, though I haven't searched those topics yet.

Thanks for any tips and clues, I hope everyone has a safe & healthy weekend!

Also, on a slightly unrelated note; I noticed that Rock Auto has a wholesale closeout on the long steering-arm tie-rod. It's surely some offshore part (Qualis), but it's super-cheap - who knows, it might even be made by Moog:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/jee ... d+end,7428

Ive always thought that properly maintained FSJ brakes are OK and I always add the Chevy JB7 Calipers and pads. The caliper piston is 30% larger and the surface area of the pads are larger also.

More braking in the rear won't help if you don't improve the fronts and might be dangerous. To me the advantage or rear discs is easier maintenance.

90% of the braking on a vehicle is done in the front.

rocklaurence wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 7:10 am Ive always thought that properly maintained FSJ brakes are OK and I always add the Chevy JB7 Calipers and pads. The caliper piston is 30% larger and the surface area of the pads are larger also.

This is just the info I'm looking for. Is there a particular Chevy truck I should look up to buy calipers & pads from? Do I also need to change hoses and the master? I was just Googling JB7 brakes, and there's a lot of confusing info to be found.

Thanks!

I believe Chevy offered them on '69-'89 2500's. You can use the Jeep hose but you have to grind the position key off the Chevy caliper [easy to do]. However, protect the banjo bolt seal/surface area by installing the old bolt/washer. One tiny nick on that surface and the union will leak.

rocklaurence wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 9:24 am I believe Chevy offered them on '69-'89 2500's. You can use the Jeep hose but you have to grind the position key off the Chevy caliper [easy to do]. However, protect the banjo bolt seal/surface area by installing the old bolt/washer. One tiny nick on that surface and the union will leak.

Thanks Rock! I'll do some research, and either update this thread or start a new one when I get part numbers together. In all of my searching of the forums I never saw this mentioned, and I'll bet freshening up my brakes with the bigger calipers will make a big improvement.

Kool Beans

Does he already have a dual diaphragm booster? I think a 79 waggy would have the single diaphragm. I noticed a difference with the dual setup.

will e wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 3:16 pm Does he already have a dual diaphragm booster? I think a 79 waggy would have the single diaphragm. I noticed a difference with the dual setup.

Hi Will. I have a stock, single diaphragm booster. I'll keep your tip in mind. I'll start off just freshening everything up at the wheel-end, and upgrading to the larger JB7 calipers and see what that gets me.

Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving!

I found this thread on the JB7 upgrade. I'll probably get a parts list together and do a separate post so it will be easier to find in the future. Here's that thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=177878