How To: Upgrading to Sport Brakes (319 to 338mm)

Asto · Jun 22, 2012

I have successfully upgraded my brakes from the smaller 319mm rotors and calipers (WL/WG) to the larger 338mm Rotors and 13WH Calipers. I figured since my calipers were frozen and I don't know the last time the brakes were done I would start with a clean slate.

**YOU MUST HAVE 17 INCH RIMS TO DO THIS UPGRADE**

Parts Required (Advance Auto Part Numbers)

2x YH145457 (Front Brake Rotors) $60 Each
1x SLC9921 (Left Side Brake Caliper) WH $83+ $50 Core
1x SLC9920 (Right Side Brake Caliper) WH $83+$50 Core
2x 12 Oz Bottle DOT 3 Brake Fluid(I would get one 32oz bottle) $3 Each
1x QC976 Wagner ThermoQuiet Ceramic Pads(You can go with whatever front pads you want. You can even keep your old ones. There is no difference. I just went all new) $53

Total Cost: ~$339 After Cores are Returned. I paid about $250 using Advance Auto Coupons.

Everything mounts up the same. You have to bend the backing plates with a hammer a little. Put on rotor check and make sure nothing hits. Its not much that needs to be bent. Reuse bolts. Grease Pins. Bleed Brakes. Set in new brake pads. I did a few high speed stops.

Results: Amazing. What a difference. I could not believe it. I can now activate the abs. Before not even a chance.

The biggest trouble I had was getting the 2 caliper bolts out since my car is from NY. I had to use a breaker bar. A quick tip, disconnect the caliper hard line to get to top nut on the caliper easier. Makes life easier. Calipers also come with a lifetime warranty!

Here is it finished:

dougiefreshmx · Jun 22, 2012

Finally, a "tundra swap" for our 4th gens. This is now on my things to do list....

Asto · Jun 22, 2012

It was quite confusing reading all the threads about different brake sizes and sport vs non sport. My truck came with 17"s so i assumed I had sport brakes. Well I was wrong. Easiest way to check is to look on the back of the caliper for the letters (WH, WL, WG) or the numbers (16, or 17).

97BlackAckCL · Jun 22, 2012

Thanks for the writeup, I went from an 03 sport to an 08 SR5 and definitely miss the better braking on the sport, will definitely keep this in mind for the future

jimithing · Jun 22, 2012

Maybe it's just me but I don't see the pictures. Maybe try putting them on photobucket? Anyways, I'm assuming you have a limited, right? The SR5's came with 16" wheels as far as I'm aware and the SE's should already be the larger brakes.

aha2988 · Jun 22, 2012

nope i cant see the pics either..

Am i the only one that finds it ironic you almost pay a dollar per milimeter of the brake rotor

338mm brake rotor upgrade costs 339 dollars lol.

04_4runner · Jun 22, 2012

What about the backing plates? Toyota lists different part numbers for the backing plate for 16 and 17 inch wheels.

Asto · Jun 22, 2012

For the backing plates. I just hit them with a hammer to bend back a little(knew I forgot something)

I also don't have a limited I don't know what I have. I have 17" limited rims and had 16inch calipers. No hood scoop. No X-reas. I have leather two tone leather seats with stitching that says TRD Sport. Never seen anything like it.

aha2988 said:
nope i cant see the pics either..

Am i the only one that finds it ironic you almost pay a dollar per milimeter of the brake rotor

338mm brake rotor upgrade costs 339 dollars lol.

Well $340 before the discounts. After the advance coupon codes its about $250. Which for the money you are getting Reman calipers with lifetime warranty, brand new ceramic pads, 2 rotors, and brake fluid. I don't even want to think about what the dealer would charge

Sungod · Jun 22, 2012

I seriously doubt 1/3 of and inch more of space makes a difference you can feel in braking 4000 lbs. My guess that part of it is mental and the other is new calipers that are working properly and not frozen. Not trying to be a negative nelly, but just pointing out reality. For that kind of cash, i think I would look at better not bigger brakes. Just my opinion anyway.

jimithing · Jun 22, 2012

Asto said:
I also don't have a limited I don't know what I have. I have 17" limited rims and had 16inch calipers. No hood scoop. No X-reas. I have leather two tone leather seats with stitching that says TRD Sport. Never seen anything like it.

I'm guessing you bought it used? Sounds like the previous owner did some tinkering with it. It's probably an SR5 then because SE's have always come with the larger rotors. And you said it's not a limited. You could register the VIN on the Toyota website to confirm that.

The two tone leather is aftermarket - Toyota didn't do anything two tone. Might be something like Clazzio's

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/110939-clazzio-seat-covers-installed.html

Asto · Jun 22, 2012

Sungod said:
I seriously doubt 1/3 of and inch more of space makes a difference you can feel in braking 4000 lbs. My guess that part of it is mental and the other is new calipers that are working properly and not frozen. Not trying to be a negative nelly, but just pointing out reality. For that kind of cash, i think I would look at better not bigger brakes. Just my opinion anyway.

The calipers were dragging but all the pistons were at the same length. (no side was worn down more than another on the pads)There is quite a difference. Before I could not get the ABS to activate doing a panic stop. Now I can. Tires are the same. Tires also play the biggest part in braking if I would have been able to activate the abs on the original setup I would have left it alone.The pads that were replaced had plenty of meat left. Maybe they were crappy pads. I don't know. Either way there is a definite increase in grabbing and stopping power. The pads feel like they bite into the rotors. Not just grab and slow it down. Just my .02 Either way it had to be done what better way to spend $250 than on safety?

jimithing said:
I'm guessing you bought it used? Sounds like the previous owner did some tinkering with it. It's probably an SR5 then because SE's have always come with the larger rotors. And you said it's not a limited. You could register the VIN on the Toyota website to confirm that.

The two tone leather is aftermarket - Toyota didn't do anything two tone. Might be something like Clazzio's

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/110939-clazzio-seat-covers-installed.html

Yes it is used. All the seats are the same I will try to get a pic. Everything on the truck was stock when I got it. So I am not sure.
Carfax says this Vehicle:2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5/SPORT EDITION

jimithing · Jun 22, 2012

Asto said:
Yes it is used. All the seats are the same I will try to get a pic. Everything on the truck was stock when I got it. So I am not sure.
Carfax says this Vehicle:2004 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5/SPORT EDITION

It's an SR5 for sure then. If it was a Limited it would say Limited on the carfax. And as I said, all Sport Editions came with the larger rotors.

Asto · Jun 23, 2012

It may be a SR5 but it has everything I need including sunroof.

jimithing · Jun 23, 2012

Asto said:
It may be a SR5 but it has everything I need including sunroof.

Nothing wrong at all with SR5's. It's a 4Runner and that's what's important, right?

<<<< · Jun 23, 2012

Nice work, Asto. Sport brakes saved me from accident once (was able to stop just inches from the car that ran in the back of other car).

Gatafly · Jun 23, 2012

Sungod said:
I seriously doubt 1/3 of and inch more of space makes a difference you can feel in braking 4000 lbs. My guess that part of it is mental and the other is new calipers that are working properly and not frozen. Not trying to be a negative nelly, but just pointing out reality. For that kind of cash, i think I would look at better not bigger brakes. Just my opinion anyway.

Umm, yes it does. If you know physics that small extra amount pushes the lever arm out and increases the torque applied under the same psi of pressure.

spotmaticf · Jun 27, 2012

I mistakenly bought Sport Rotors and Calipers when it was time to replace due to stuck pistons. I guess having 17" wheels on an SR5 doesn't mean you have big brakes!

Anyway, rather then return the parts and order up the smaller parts, I found this thread and proceeded to upgrade my brakes. Yes, I had to bend the backing plate to clear the bigger rotors -- I hope to correct this issue with the bigger plates if I can find them.

My new thinking is that if you are running 17" wheels, and need new brake calipers & rotors, there is no reason not to go bigger and better.

Thanks for all the great information.

Sungod · Jun 27, 2012

Gatafly said:
Umm, yes it does. If you know physics that small extra amount pushes the lever arm out and increases the torque applied under the same psi of pressure.

I know physics and I also know reality. I know there is such thing as a 1.0 earthquake on the Richter scale and a 2.0 is 1000 times stronger, but you won't feel either. The difference between the two rotors is miniscule and you are not going to notice the difference.

dthudon · Jul 4, 2012

Sungod said:
I know physics and I also know reality. I know there is such thing as a 1.0 earthquake on the Richter scale and a 2.0 is 1000 times stronger, but you won't feel either. The difference between the two rotors is miniscule and you are not going to notice the difference.

Actually, as long as we are splitting hairs here, the Richter scale is a base 10 logarithmic scale which means that a 2.0 is 10x as powerful as a 1.0. Additionally, if you guys really want to end the argument over bigger brakes all you have to do is look at the equation for torque, torque=(length of lever arm) x (Force applied)(Sin theta). Since the angle relative to the lever arm is perpendicular in both case you can ignore the Sin theta portion. This shows that changing the length of the lever arm to 338mm from 319mm will increase stopping power by 5.9%. (338/319)=1.0595. So, it certainly does increase stopping power. The question is, is it enough to worry about?

jdkilroy · Jul 5, 2012

Did the SR5 V8's come with the larger brake set-up. I can't seem to find the identifying letters/numbers on my calipers.

Have to say; when when I need to stop it does it really well.

I have noticed that when I actuate the brakes suddenly (like when I've just noticed that I'm about to miss an exit), its like the computer decides that I need to stop really fast and does this brake assist thing; puts them right on the edge for maximum braking effect. Never experienced that before in any other vehicle.

How To: Upgrading to Sport Brakes (319 to 338mm)

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