[buzbox]

Hey all,

Going to be putting Vitara Calipers on the front and rear disc brake upgrade on the rear using Sierra calipers on my LWB Sierra. My question is regarding the proportioning valve.

1) would I actually need one considering I'm using the Vitara calipers up front
2) If I do, would I just need the valve itself and get the hard lines made up when the time come's to get the hoses and other lines made up, or just buy the "kit"

If it makes a difference, I'll also be keeping the transfer handbrake.

[Gwagensteve]

Yes you will need one.

IMHO, just buy the kit.

Steve

[Teracis]

Which "kit" are we talking about here?

This kit from Lowrange?

Or some other kit? I'm going to need one of these too so it would be useful to know what others have been using successfully.

[Gwagensteve]

That's the kit I'm referring to.

[jdk81]

As above, just go the kit.
That kit is cheap and easy to bolt up

If you aren't comfortable double flaring your own hard lines, then you are paying labour to make those too. By the time you pay for the pipenuts (mix of imperial and metric) and someone to do it, it would be cheaper and easier to just buy the kit, and bolt it up.

[Teracis]

Cool, I figured that was the kit to go. I looked at it and thought those two lines are designed to fit the unit where there is an existing joint. Clever way to do it.

[jdk81]

It screws into the lines at the master cylinder.
it means the stock line is repositioned a little, and the prop valve is located just under the master cylinder.
I think gwagsteve has a pic of the install in his build thread.
There are pics in the instructions with the kit.

Pretty simple

[Teracis]

jdk81 wrote:

It screws into the lines at the master cylinder.
it means the stock line is repositioned a little, and the prop valve is located just under the master cylinder.
I think gwagsteve has a pic of the install in his build thread.
There are pics in the instructions with the kit.

Pretty simple

Ah ok, I checked out their instructions, I'd have to go look at the master cylinder to see what the hell was going on. I was hoping to put it nice and close to that anyway.

Has anyone used their electric line locks? Worth having? I figure they could be just as handy for disabling the rear brakes as keeping them locked on, although the handbrake should be fine given the rear disc upgrade with incorporated hand brake.

[Gwagensteve]

I reckon line locks are awesome, especially with a manual gearbox, but they won't work the way you are describing - you can't use them to "disable" the brakes. They work like a one way valve. you can engage the line lock, then press the pedal - pressure will push past the valve towards the wheel, but won't return until you release the switch.

A line lock is massively more effective than a cable operated handbrake.

Steve.

[buzbox]

Line lock is another option I was thinking of too, Especially considering I'd be keeping the transfer drum handbrake which technically shouldn't be an issue with holding the car still, But are the line locks legal enough that an engineer will sign off on it?

I will be making a LROR order soon, so I want to cover all bases with the rear diff and rear brake system before going to the brake specialist to get new lines and hoses made up. These parts should arrive about the time I finish painting the ute. The main reason behind going with disc brake, besides the obvious benefits is cost. I found it works out the same if not slightly cheaper than going with a whole new drum brake setup.

On LROR they do mention that the vitara calipers help brake proportioning because of the larger brake cylinder, hence this post.

[Gwagensteve]

Engineer won't touch line locks IMHO. Engineers I've been involved with have suggested to fit them after cert.

[buzbox]

Disc brake conversion should be ok thought, right?

[Gwagensteve]

Maybe. Depends on the state and engineer. Some will say no, some will say yes, some will look the other way. You can't ask anyone except the the engineers concerned. Asking on here is pointless.

Some won't even consider a prop valve.

[DarkHorse]

The guy I'm dealing with is OK with the BenT rear disc kit on my Vit, pending a brake test. Can be done with a plate test, don't have to hire out Eastern Creek for the day... but the only guy anywhere near Sydney with the gear to do it is waaaay out west.

He did say that a bolt-on system from an existing car would be easier, so if you're using Sierra rotors and calipers you might get lucky. Because mine are Sierra rotors and Galant calipers with custom brackets I have to jump through hoops.

Can give you the contact details for both if you like, they've both been great to deal with.

[buzbox]

I've found a local engineer that actually specialises in 4WD modifications.

http://www.offtrack4x4.com/

[droverdave]

Apart from trial and error how do you set the proportioning valve? And surely an engineer is not going to like it being adjustable once it's set correctly? As if you adjust it wrong your braking will be all over the shop:s