Simple XJ to ZJ Rear Disc Brake Upgrade 

Use liberty backing plates and calipers. No grinding needed, they slide right on. And 90s ford explorer parking brake cables.

Experience talking here: When you do this, the zero dollar option after the install is to find your proportioning valve (next to or under M/C), remove the stud from the front, pull off the o-ring and reinstall the stud. This gives full pressure to the rear disk brakes. Failure to do this reduces the pressure to drum brake levels and therefore doesn't really improve the brakes. Of course an adjustable proportioning valve (Ebay, etc.) is also a great option.

if you have the C8.25 rear axle use the rear brakes off a liberty as its a c8.25

To remove that parking brake cable, use a 1/2" or 13mm box wrench, slip it over cable end, over the lock clip and the cable will release.

I just did the Liberty rear disc brake swap, but got new Powerstop rotors, shoes, snd calipers rated for towing. Crown makes parking brake cables for 1984-1996 disc brake conversions that are a drop in fit (it’s intended for their upgrade kit but works with ZJ or Liberty rear disc brakes on XJ as well). Mounted the ZJ hose brakes on one of the leaf spring bolts. I am stunned by the increased stop speed on these. And the parking brake grabs so much better than the drum brake - only need to pull handle maybe 1/2 way, and it’s solid grab even on steep hill. Wow. Rear disc brakes are awesome for Cherokee!!

@2:50 a 13mm (if I remember correctly) box end wrench will slide right over the tabs and close them in

i did the conversion last year on my 8.25, but i used a kit. Only reason why, is by time i got done finding the parts i needed from junk yard and then new calipers and parking brake shoes and other random stuff to do it. for a few hunded bucks more give or take. I could just do the kit, and it already came with everything.

The Liberty parts are a direct bolt on. No backing plate grinding needed and use the backing plate studs from the Liberty. Also, the front XJ wheel studs fit the rear axle and are the correct length for the disc brake rotor.

If I ever get an XJ, and the brakes need replacement, I will do it. For now, I have a pretty sweet ZJ and it has ZJ brakes.

i did the same thing years ago, but I used Liberty brakes and proportioning valve. Worked great!

For my parking break I welded the KJ cable ends to my XJ cable ends. Works great.

I did one of these conversions 5 years ago and had quite the headache figuring out the e-brake situation so those tabs are really neat.

liberty brake backing plates go on a little bit easier but same swap. been planning on doing this when my drums need to be serviced again

I did this swap on my 94 2 door. Definitely worth while. Hard part was getting the e brake cable mounted. I used a cable clamp u bolt and drilled a couple holes in the arm where the cable needs to hook up. Not much room but an option if you cant do the adapter pieces.

Jeep has a way of making things so simple but every now and again you'll find some clip or bolt that looks like it was designed in a different universe. Lol like that e brake clip and the 2 bolts at the top of the bell housing that take an "E" socket like e35 I think

1/2 inch wrench works great to remove the parking brake cable from the backing plate.

WOW! Just found this, i wish i had before i did my drum to disc brake swap. But am now on the "ZBLEEPINJEEP WAGON" keep making great video guys🎉🎉🎉

next step will be tha rear rotor and brake parts from WK, there will be more contakt surface between rotor and pads.

I know this is an old video, But when your trying to get that ebrake cable off. slide the box end of a wrench over the clip, Usually a 13mm and the cable clip will come out super easy.

parking break cable release from backing plate can usualy be done by slipping a open end wrench onver it to compress the tabs

1/2 inch box wrench over the clips of the parking cable compresses the clips to remove it.

When you remove the drum and all the parts fall out. Jeep life 😂😂

I got the G2 DISC BRAKE CONVERSION KIT FROM 4wheelparts was a direct fit. Didn't have to change the stud. No grinding was easy install. Its pricey and it Didn't come with emergency brake cables. I have 95 jeep cherokee xj with 8.25. With out ABS

Anytime you have to bust out the welder, it is more than a “simple” project.

I have always used a small hose clamp to get out the parking brake cable. 1/2" box end wrench works also

when you scavenge your parts either from a ZJ or the KJ 8.25 for your swap, remove the 4 studs from the housing that hold the backing plate on so you can re-use them on your housing so your studs arent too short. remove the plate, put the 4 nuts back on so you dont booger up the threafs on the stud before you pound them out with a hammer

Thank for the link to those adapters John.I like that better than cutting and splicing....

Apparently a 13 mm wrench works in compressing brake cable from backing plTe

Cool, just bought a parts ZJ, for my son's grand cherokee, I was eyeballing the rear disc setup for my daughter's XJ! Now I know!

When pulling the emergency brake if you get the proper size line wrench you can push it over there and it will push all the pins and at the same time

Discy brakes make the better stoppy stops😎👍

I would try to get the emergency brake cable well away from the leaf springs. The movement from the leaf springs won't take long to rub through the emergency brake cable... Just an idea.

I did basically the same thing but didn't bother with the proportioning valve. WJ front brakes and KJ rears. I still need to try it on glare ice to see how the brakes perform, but its not looking like it is going to be a problem. Add a spare tire carrier with a 33" on it, and with that alone, you'll probably want the more rear brake bias.

Hose clamp to remove emergency brakes cable

Matt even had a tip to use a 13mm wrench for the e brake, fuel line clips and stuff like that also works

Well done I’m going to save this one. I’m thinking it is probably best to do this at the same time one would install a Torq locker, which sounds like a future project. And I assume that locker is still preforming well and was a good choice for the XJ. BTW in the warnings that you placed you did forget to include to mention California prop 65 🧐 Maybe next time, I actually have to include that silly warning with the XJ bags I make.

..Or, just get a ZJ ! Sorry I lost mine - rear-ended by a Peterbuilt and totaled. 19 years and 300K on it b4 that. Nice video and good work!

The best way to remove the brake hose would be to put the flare wrench on the nut and the vise grips on over top.

All you recommending using liberty park brake cables you must have no lift cuz none of the Ford or liberty or grand cherokee cables are long enough with my lift. Also flop shop doesn't make the 8.8 cable adapter any more. So Im fabricating my own adapters using the long cables that are with the 8.25 drums.

I don’t even own a Jeep, yet still watched the whole video.

Awesome tutorial. Insert obligatory Harbor Freight Jack Stand recall notice here. Cheers. 😂

i find a ring spanner that fits over the e brake cable to remove it !

Next time on the brake cable. Use the boxed end wrench. 13mm. It closes all the ends together.

I wonder if you take 2 XJ body's cut them in half forward of the C pillar weld the 2 halves together make an "overland" trailer. replace one of the fuel tanks and use it for water. the other tank for spare gas tank.

Those adapters are cool. I wish I had those when I did mine.

The rental car joke made me chuckle

I’m confused lol.. I thought to do this conversion you have to drain the rear diff fluid and remove the cover and rear axels ??

I have a 1998 XJ Classic 4x4. Getting ready to do brakes all around then seen your swap video. Does my model year fit the process you’ve explained here? Thx

Why did they install drums if everyone hates them? What are the pros and cons of each?

Since I don’t have a rear locker I may install second calipers for cutting brakes

Thank you.

Will this work on a TJ??

With the axle out it would have been the perfect time to replace that short wheel stud.... And if it has a lot of miles on it I might have replaced the wheel bearing too.

A box end wrench is the easy way to release the break cables.

I’m trying to do a propportion value spring swap, but having an issue. Seems like the spring doesn’t fit correctly. 95 xj and parts frm a 98 zj.

All, any idea whether this will also work with the TJ, or what modifications are necessary?

Great video! Those u-bolt cuts look dangerous tho. They're cut really short; wouldn't want them to loosen up because they'd come off real quick.

This is not the banana you are looking for

Please do a video on how you built your front bumper or where you got it

Could u plse tell me where to get the adaptor brackets for the er rake cables

Yeah big upgrade from your blasted drum brakes lol.

Whats the deal with the springs? I was confused about what that was used for? Please explain

13mm boxed end wrench slid over the parking brake will release it easily.

I squirm every time I see a video with what I think might be harbor freight jack stands. If they're # 56371, 61196, or 61197, please google the recall and don't use them. Well made video! Thanks

Should have used a 13mm or 12 mm wrench for that E brake cable holder thingy

Awesome DIY.... Thx

Yellow 😍

Use a socket to remove your parking brake clip

Just did this last weekend. Ha. Used liberty plates.

I wish it would have explained the brake line situation a little better. I'm a little lost on how to adapt the stock brake line in the rear to the caliper. Sure it's easy, I just like to be thorough

Ya i think ill stick with my drums.

What about maintaining abs?

Helpful video

What did u do about the brake proportioning valve in the standard master cylinder did u replace whole thing replace valve or u running it with drum brake pressure on disc and pad

Hey Bleep(lol) I just bought my first jeep(2000 4.0 straight six 4wd Jeep Cherokee) I don’t know anything about Jeep but I’ve always wanted one. Think you can answer some questions on how I can get it started?

when upgrading, will the zj master cyl bolt in to the xj. I need to replace my MC anyway. it would save me having to change the proportioning spring.

I did the liberty disk swap, I even put in a HD brake booster to replace my old stock one. It still seems like I have the same braking power. I did forget to change out the spring/valve. Could that small part make the difference if I forgot that part??? Btw I’m trying to stop 35s still feels like stick brakes.

My 01 Sport has the 15 inch OEM steel wheels. It looks like the the XJs had 16 inch wheels at least. Would I be in for a tires and wheels investment to make this upgrade work, or will the XJ parts still fit?

That is a line wrench

Can you give me some info on those wheels please?

Can anyone recommend a soup-to-nuts kit that has all included components, without the need to hunt around?

Quick question, what is that little contraption in front of the master cylinder with the hose that goes to the firewall? Do you have a video explaining what that is by chance?

I have the Dana 44 in the back. Anyone know the cheap Jeep way to get rear disk?

Which rock sliders are those?

Let me ask you a question. When you did the front brake upgrade, did you weld the spacers or just bolt them on??

What size wheels are your running? Do you know if 15 inch wheels will still work after the upgrade?

Would this work the same on a 2wd MJ Comanche?

I'm curious about your air filter housing. I can't quite make out the brand to search for it.

My 99 jeep Cherokee xj limited has abs in the back, l can give you that

I like my 8.8 swap with disk brakes better. :) Definitely do the ZJ proportioning valve, it makes a world of difference. I would drive backward and slam on the brakes and the front would lock up but not the rear. Once I swapped the internals of the proportioning valve they can lock up going forward.

You bought a bananna!

Hey need to pick your brain can i use the disc brakes off a 99 grand Cherokee for mine 93 Cherokee thank you

I have a 1994 XJ with the police package for the drum brakes. Any idea if this mod will work on mine?

Do you have to use the E break pads for the swap? because I cut mine off because I didn’t want it... Could you assemble it was just a rotor and backing plate and caliper?

Is the Renault 2.1 td?

Could you do this with ABS on the rear

What rotor did you use?

What do you do about ABS sensor?

My XJ is an 89, yours looks a little newer. Same brake setup?

Those are no longer brake shoes. They're more like brake slippers now 😂😂