I am sure this has been discussed before. But can I Buy rotors, calipers, and lines for a 87-91 trooper with rear disc brakes and convert them onto a 86 trooper with drums. Or do I have to find a whole new rear axle? I have an 86 Trooper and hate the rear drums on the Ice up here in North Dakota
thanks
BASHBRO1

Different axles, different beasts.

While I am sure it could be done, it is not a bolt on conversion.

Time to start shopping for a new (used) axle.

Michael

you better off with the 12 bolt anyways much stronger than you 10 bolt.

Have their been any problems with putting a 87-91 trooper rear axle on a 86 Trooper? DO they line up or will I have to have things modified?
Thanks
BASHBRO1

Well, you will have to address brake plumbing and the parking brake cable issue. The driveshaft will most likely need to be modified to accomodate the different position the pinion will be in. Other than that, they should be the same width and should physically bolt in place. It is up to you to make the rest of it work.

You can also look for axles out of some pickups (look for disk brakes) and amigos up to the 95ish range (not the Hombre pickups). Just make sure the width is correct and the axle ratio matches your front end.

Michael

Good Luck,
Michael

I have begun to think I may just have to suck it up and live with drum brakes on Ice. I don't want to stick a bunch of money into it and doing those kinds of things sounds like it could add up fast. I would also probably be lucky to find another isuzu around here that would give me the axle and parts I need for less than I paid for my whole Trooper. ($400) THanks for all the help though. My next endevour will be putting new Brake Calipers on the front since the originals are almost rusted through.
BASHBRO1

My next endevour will be putting new Brake Calipers on the front since the originals are almost rusted through.

That *might* explain the less than desired braking performance.

Michael

Oh yeah The Front Brakes suck. Its just that Drums tend to Lock up and I lose all control of the rear. Thats what bugs me. But there are almost no brakes up front and I knew that when I got it. I just thought if I could convert the rears I would do it all at the same time.
Thanks

OK, UNLESS YOU GET THE FRT BRAKES WORKING THE REARS AREN,T GOING TO HELP YOU A WHOLE LOT , THERE IS NO EASY SWAP FOR THE FRONTS , 87 WAS THE CHANGE OVER AND CAN BE EASILY UP GRADED TO THE NEWER TROOPER OR RODEO FRT BRAKES ,, THE REARS AS MICHAEL MENTIONS , THE BRAKE CABLE IS A WORK OF ART ON YOUR PART , THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT YOKE WILL HAVE TO BE CHANGED AND THE SHAFT NEEDS TO BE SHORTNED ABOUT 1 1/2 INCH, 87 ,S NEVER HAD DISC BRAKES,IN THE REAR, HOWEVER 88-91 TROOPERS WITH THE DISC,S AND THE CORRECT GEAR RATIO WILL BOLT RIGHT IN AS FAR AS THE SPRING PERCHES GO, THEY ARE THE EXACT SAME WIDTH, BRAKE LINES WILL HAVE TO BE MODIFIED SLIGHTLY, BRAKE CABLES COMPLETELY DIFF THAN THE DISCS SETUP, BUT CAN BE DONE , YOU WILL GAIN A SLIGHT INCREASE IN TRACK WIDTH AS THE LATER REAR AXLE IS A BOUT 3 INCHS WIDER FLANGE TO FLANGE , PICKUP TRUCK AND RODEOS ARE ABOUT THE SAME WIDTH BUT THE SPRING PERCHES ARE WIDER APART AND YOU HAVE TO BE REAL CAUTIOUS ON THESE AS NOT MANY OF THEM CAME WITH THE 4.56 GEARS AS YOUR 86, A LOT OF 4.10,S AND A LOT OF 4.30,S . NOT TRYING TO SCARE YOU OUT OF SWAPPING THEM OVER , THEY MAKE A GOOD SWAP BUT IT IS NOT A WEEKEND DEAL ON THE 86 IF YOU DO IT RIGHT AND SAFELY,ON AN 87 YOU CAN SWAP THEM OVER IN JUST A FEW HOURS, DISCS IN THE BACK AND LARGER DISCS UP FRT .. GOOD LUCK JERRY

in a properly functioning brake system, the majority of your braking force is contributed by the front brakes. (that's why front brakes wear out much faster than the rears). without that effort, your rears are going to lock up because they are being asked to do more of the braking in the unbalanced system.

you can test this idea out easily and more safely(?) on a bicycle on a steep downhill descent on a squirly dirt track. use just the rears and your rear end will lock and slip even as you find it hard to stop at all.


//bc