Hey everybody - first post on here so let me know if I screw something up... FYI I'm trying to reply to this brakes thread, so if this somehow gets posted in the wrong area all apologies and let me know how not to do that...

Short story is that I've been experiencing issues with my brakes for a while now and after some research and emails back and forth with EBC I went ahead and ordered the EBC sport rotors (same ones it appears Ducmonsta installed on Glock_19's truck), as well as the re-furbed OEM calipers that Stoptech sells, and EBC Orangestuff pads. Parts are arriving this week and I'm going to do the swap at a buddy's garage next week (he's a master mechanic).

Then today I came across this thread and clearly a lot of you have gone through this process already so I'm hoping you can sort out a few quick things for me with your learned wisdom.

Here are a few questions I have - any insight would be appreciated:

- From what I'm reading on here, it seems like people are saying that the calipers are still going to freeze up simply because the OEM design is bad? Is that correct? I'm aware that the OEM setup is faulty, but I was under the impression that the Stoptech "improved" calipers would solve that issue. I REALLY don't want to spend this money/time and end up with the exact same issue. Am I mis-interpreting what people are saying about the calipers, or do I need to actually return everything and start over? Is it possible to have a good braking solution with the components I've ordered, or am I just going to continue being SOL unless I upgrade to the 340mm?

- I've seen people go both ways on this one, but if I'm replacing/upgrading rotors, calipers and pads am I crazy to not upgrade the brake lines to SS (according to Summit there is a Stoptech kit for $50 for the front lines - not sure about the rear brake lines). At about $1000 invested I'm fine with spending another $50 if it's an advisable upgrade, but at the same time, I'm perfectly fine with OEM parts as Toyota generally knows what they are doing (4th gen front brakes notwithstanding).

Some quick info about me/my truck:

I scored this custom ordered, 1 owner, dealer maintained, accident free truck back in 2016 with only 73,000 miles. I love the V8/4WD/SR5 combo (V8 was mandatory for me, dedicated 4WD was a wish list item, and I hate sunroofs so the SR5 combo with those things was perfect). I have it up to 125k and it's just getting going. I plan on driving it until it turns into dust. The only bummer is that since it's an SR5 it came with the 319 front brakes instead of the 340s.

That being said, I live in SoCal and it is currently my daily driver, but I also use it for work (independent contractor). I don't do a ton of off roading but I do get out and camp pretty deep out sometimes, and drive to surf in baja, etc.

For work I can sometimes carry 7-800 lbs of equipment and another person or two (last winter I did that over the Rockies in a blizzard). I also on occasion tow heavy generator trailers (and I've even towed my 6700lb '74 E200 with it when I moved several hundred miles...). This is why I went with the Orangestuff Extra Duty pads.

Despite occasional heavy loads, and decent yearly mileage, I drive pretty damn gently and yet I've replaced pads at least once a year, I've had the rotors redone once, and the calipers have frozen off and on and I'm already back down to basically metal on metal up front. It's ridiculous and infuriating. I take care of my stuff, I love this truck, and I'd like to have a good solution. So any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!

- From what I'm reading on here, it seems like people are saying that the calipers are still going to freeze up simply because the OEM design is bad? Is that correct? I'm aware that the OEM setup is faulty, but I was under the impression that the Stoptech "improved" calipers would solve that issue. I REALLY don't want to spend this money/time and end up with the exact same issue. Am I mis-interpreting what people are saying about the calipers, or do I need to actually return everything and start over? Is it possible to have a good braking solution with the components I've ordered, or am I just going to continue being SOL unless I upgrade to the 340mm?

---I believe by improvement they put a metal ring around the pistons to keep stuff out, but my experience is that they all eventually seize. My recommendation is to get your calipers from NAPA, they have a lifetime warranty, so when it goes bad again just take it back and get a replacement for free.

- I've seen people go both ways on this one, but if I'm replacing/upgrading rotors, calipers and pads am I crazy to not upgrade the brake lines to SS (according to Summit there is a Stoptech kit for $50 for the front lines - not sure about the rear brake lines). At about $1000 invested I'm fine with spending another $50 if it's an advisable upgrade, but at the same time, I'm perfectly fine with OEM parts as Toyota generally knows what they are doing (4th gen front brakes notwithstanding).

My truck has over 200K with the original brake lines and no issues stopping. I will eventually replace if needed but I don't think it's a must do if the budget isn't there.

Answer is highlighted in orange above. Hope this helps.

BMeister - Good to know about the minimal improvements to the StopTech calipers, as well as the NAPA guarantee - I'll check that out. Thanks!

Ducmonsta - I verified that my truck has the smaller WG casted calipers, so I ordered the StopTech's that are also WG to replace them. They arrived about an hour ago and are definitely the same caliper (down to the WG casting), just with shinier components and red powder coating.

I was hoping that the faulty nature of the OEM/WG calipers was due to internal components that StopTech upgraded/replaced and therefore they would not suffer the same fate as straight OEM parts, but it seems like that was probably wishful thinking on my part... I wasn't looking to pay for simple powder coating, I was aiming for improvement.

RE: the brake line upgrade - I'm on board with your thought process. This is the first "upgrade" I've done to the truck, so I don't mind spending the $50.

Thanks for the quick response!

Just spend the money and get the 340's. It comes with everything you need, including the SS lines. It is one of the best upgrades I did to my truck. I have a lot of extra weight and they were flawless on steep grades in the Rockies, on and offroad. The ONLY gripe about them is the Stoptech pads that come with them squeak sometimes and don't have super good bite even after bedding them in. But...they do stop fast when on the pedal and NO warping which is worth it alone and I came from the Sport rotors.

I would like to upgrade my brakes on my 2008 Limited. However, I am unclear what do ask for at Napa when I buy the parts. I understand the stamping on the calipers. But what are the calipers off of? And the rotors? I saw a mention of a third GEN tundra upgrade. What year tundra are the parts coming from? I think that’s the info that I need. Thank you in advance for anybody’s help.

Hi,
I have an 08 Sport Edition that I bought back in Feb. After checking the FAX on this 4Runner I knew I would have to deal with the brake issues that were sure to come so I joined the Forum and did some research. This upgrade sounded like it was just what the Doctor ordered. I live on the east coast and have checked all of the High Tech garages within 50 miles of me. Not a one has ever heard of this upgrade. They tell me to buy what parts I need and come on in and they'll try to make it work. I'm a little worried about the results when I hear that. I'm not a mechanic so I'm going to have to find another solution. Good Luck to those who have done this upgrade, my hat's off to you.


Thanks,

herscman

Dude...get the Stoptech kit from SOS Performance. Its super easy bolt on kit. Take off wheels, 2 bolts for old calipers, toss rotors and disconnect stock line. Bolt Stoptech adapter on, trim brake dust shield slightly, install rotor, slide caliper on, tighten nuts, connect line to caliper and stock hard line. Bleed lines, done. 1-2hrs at most. Super super easy.

Stoptech 5th gen kit for a 4th gen? I'd this the easiest route without piecing stuff together? Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Nope. @sosperformance has a 4th Gen specific kit. Talk to Tom. He was awesome to deal with. Go to their site, Im willing to bet they have a Black Friday deal going on.

I have the 2004 Sport Edition so i apparently have the larger brakes already?

I owned the car for only 2.5 years and replaced the front rotors twice and just now I had a front caliper completely seize driving on the highway.

I just bought napa parts idk what quaity exactly, i just tell them not the cheapest. Should I even bother with this or should I just get all higher quality rotors and calipers instead? I put maybe 20,000 miles on it since I owned it

I would just put the NAPA caliper on it because most any brand caliper you get will most likely seize again in a few years, it just a bad design for snow/salt on the road areas, I would also check to see which caliper they sold you, their best should have a life time warranty so if it seizes later they should replace it for free if you did get the best they sale.

Bumping this.

I was looking at the Power Stop Z36, 338mm kit from Rock Auto for my 08' Runner. Anyone use that kit before? I've had great luck and performance with these Z36's on my Chevys when towing across the country or in the mountains. I notice there were two options at 319mm and 338mm.

Thanks!

I've got a 2014 that uses the larger rotor. Also converted my 2007 FJ Cruiser to the same. All good, no complaints, would do it again. Will do the kit in the proper fitment on my Raptor when it is time. I believe if yours has the smaller rotors you will need calipers as well for the bigger rotors.