'88 Rear Caliper Questions - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

wrenchtech · 10-17-2008, 05:57 PM

I'm trying to rebuild a pair of rear calipers for a 1988 Supra. My two points are:

1. In trying to separate the caliper bracket and the caliper piston housing. The two slides were nearly frozen. It took more than hand pressure to get them to move at all. When i got them apart they looked clean (not corroded) and the rubber gaiters were in good shape. Maybe the grease was just ancient. These are supposed to move fairly freely, right?

2. This probably doesn't effect the operation of the caliper but the exposed part of the piston (piston cup?) is badly rusted and I don't like it.. Toyota actually sells a replacement piston, for $44.00. Too pricey for me, when a whole rebuilt caliper is $56.00 at NAPA. Is there any alternate source for the piston?

Thanks -- Matt

TcmaBoy · 10-17-2008, 07:10 PM

A little surface rust on the piston isn't a problem. If it is pitted out then that could be a problem. If you are that concerned about the condition of the parts, then go for a pair of rebuilt units from NAPA. $56 isn't bad.

wrenchtech · 10-18-2008, 01:19 AM

TcmaBoy, Judging from the picture in your post I think you will appreciate it when i tell you that I am planning to use the Supra calipers for a home brewed rear disk setup for my '84 xtracab 4x4. Supra calipers, IFS truck rotors and custom brackets. -- Matt

wrenchtech · 10-18-2008, 01:43 AM

Holy Cow! I just noticed that NAPA has pistons for $19.00 ea and seals & boots for $5.49 ea. These turn out to be expensive calipers, once you figure in pads, hardware kits, bushings, seals, boots, ect. But better than $44.00 per piston from Toyota. Of course I'm spoiled as a Toyota truck nut. If this was for a German car it would be $$$$$$. -- Matt

TcmaBoy · 10-18-2008, 02:51 AM

I just used a set of 80s GM calipers for my rear end. Cheap and easy to find parts for.

Make sure you figure something out for a park brake. A mechanical line lock will do the trick.

wrenchtech · 10-18-2008, 08:11 PM

I hear all the time about the GM calipers for $35. I know that Allpro Offroad makes a bracket kit for Toyota trucks to use the GM calipers and Sky Manufacturing does as well. I wanted to use a Toyota caliper with a small piston that wouldn't take too much fluid to move. I'm going to use a mechanical, transfer case mounted, parking brake from one of those two companies.

<BTW> I'm a huge fan of the 7M and 1J/2J inline-six motors.

What's that rig in your picture? -- Matt

TcmaBoy · 10-19-2008, 12:37 AM

I have the sky brackets, and they do well enough. I am not a fan of the drive line brake. It puts a lot of strain on the t-case output shaft, and it dramatically increases the rotational mass of the drive line. Just get a simple line lock for the brakes. It is simpler and cheaper. If you are worried about spongy brakes, you can always buy some adapter fittings and put a bigger GM/Ford/Chrysler master cyl on.

I like a straight 6, but I do not think a turbo motor is a good match for off road. Unless you are playing in the sand, you will never spool the turbo.

The truck is a 97 Tacoma V6 with a Waggy 44 up front.