Rear disc brake conversion D40

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Hey friends, I'm curious to know if anyone has converted their rear drum brakes to a disc brake setup on a Navara D40. I want to do it myself, so has anyone have some pointers and advice for me?
 
A few of us looked into this a few years ago.After speaking to Engineers and brake specialists there wouldnt be that much gain with disk over drum.
All the parts should be a straight bolt on using the parts from a Pathfinder as all part numbers match up according to parts listings for a Frontier.The main issue was always going to be the ABS and getting brake fluid pressures right.
 
When the 550 was brought out as a limited edition a few yrs ago they had a disc brake rear end,but when they became a production run the disc brakes went and back to drum brakes,don't know why?
 
Utes are agricultural vehicles. You don't need disc brakes to chase sheep.

Funny, you don't need climate control or satnav either. Sooner or later I hope they DO bring discs out for the rears. I've had to reverse down a 1:10 incline and it wasn't fun.

Important questions to get answers for:

What is the part number for the Pathfinder ABS unit, compared to the Navara?

What is the part number for the Pathfinder master cylinder, compared to the Navara?

If the parts are the same, then I'd suggest whacking Pathfinder rear hubs on would then just be an exercise in ability with an angle grinder and a welder.
 
When the 550 was brought out as a limited edition a few yrs ago they had a disc brake rear end,but when they became a production run the disc brakes went and back to drum brakes,don't know why?

Only having a guess but cheaper, more profit margin. With Drums there is larger fiction surface area than discs = better retardation. I wonder if that makes it easier for Nissan to have big towing capacity??
The drawbacks are don't work so good in reverse.
May have better retardation but that will only be on the first big stop after that they loose efficiency.
Don't dry out quick after a water crossing.
 
Important questions to get answers for:

What is the part number for the Pathfinder ABS unit, compared to the Navara?

What is the part number for the Pathfinder master cylinder, compared to the Navara?

If the parts are the same, then I'd suggest whacking Pathfinder rear hubs on would then just be an exercise in ability with an angle grinder and a welder.

The main issue was the fact there was something like 20 different part numbers for the ABS units and master cylinders for both vehicles so trying to marry them up. As to making parts fir there is no need. As far as we would work out it should be all direct bolt on .I even went as far as getting a spare diff for a dummy and sourcing the rear end from a pathy. Both sides with all arms brackets etc was 750 plus freight .
I spoke with my engineer about doing the conversion and he admitted it would be good for a 5th wheel towing rig but as for the rest really wasnt worth the money or effort. So pretty much thats where it stopped
 
Only having a guess but cheaper, more profit margin. With Drums there is larger fiction surface area than discs = better retardation. I wonder if that makes it easier for Nissan to have big towing capacity??
The drawbacks are don't work so good in reverse.
May have better retardation but that will only be on the first big stop after that they loose efficiency.
Don't dry out quick after a water crossing.

friction area has nothing to do with retardation..the force profile over that area is rather primative compared to discs and their capacity to convert energy.
 
I really don't see a point. The drums are old proven style of brakes and they have never failed me. Even when been pushed hard.
 
Discs are far better in reverse - drums don't work well backwards. Discs work just as well in both directions. Discs can also retard rotation more consistently because the heat in the braking face dissipates faster than it does in a drum brake. Discs also recover from dunking in water sooner and if you get mud in them, discs are more likely to recover or be cleaned more easily than drums, which can be badly affected by large amounts of mud.

I really don't see why we still have drum brakes on these vehicles. They're high-tech enough to have lights you don't need a flint for, they should have disc brakes on all four corners too.
 
why do people keep saying that drums dont work in reverse ??? I would suggest if you are having problems with reverse brakes then they are adjusted incorrectly. Drum brakes have a leading and trailing shoe both of the same dimensions so equal brake force each way.
 
What Simsy said. The Other thing with drums unlike discs that get hot and fade. Drum brakes work well hot some say the hotter then better. And if you have ever seen the damage that discs casus when they explode you'll be wishing you had drums in the front too.
 

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