I dont remember it was so long ago lmao but the wagners are only like 78 bucks so well worth it in my opinion

I agree. Bedding properly according to the manufacturers instructions for the specific pads is literally the most important step of the whole job! If done correctly you will have years of trouble free performance (unless the calipers seize or something...), but if done wrong, you can ruin pads and rotors quickly. Generally they can be saved by resurfacing, however, you still need to bed them properly after that, or your back at square one.

OP is looking for a 40K+ report, and I get it, everybody loves the gear when it's just been installed. Not there yet but at 1 year and 15K, I'm 100% satisfied with the PowerStop Z36 kit on the pavement and off. Steep grades, water crossings, road trips, good weather and bad, they've been solid.

Some say they avoid drilled & slotted b/c of dirt clogging after going off-road. I've been through some mud (the typical kind, not axle-deep suck your shoes off your feet stuff) and never had an issue.

FWIW, here's my passenger side front as of today:



Stay tuned for a 40K update in mid-to-late 2021. ;-) (Edit: 40K came earlier than expected.)

I just looked at RockAuto and they have the Wagner OEX front and rear pads for $27 each plus shipping.

we're getting some great input now.
To the question: the semi-metallics come with the pair [looking at front rotors] but today the ceramics are only 1 dollar more. Is there any downside to the ceramic? they are having a 4th July sale so all the kits are minus 35 percent

Bluesky that's a great report! be awhile b4 that 40k..

but now I gotta figure out which size rotor i have - - how do i measure that without yanking the rotor off? 319mm vs 333 is the diff....
did 333's only come with 18's for instance?

SR5s have the smaller rotors. Sport Editions have the larger ones & come with 17” wheels. Not sure if the larger rotors were standard or an option on Limiteds. The difference in size applies to the front only IIRC, I think all rear rotors are the same size. That’s what I know/recall about 2007s, unsure if other years are different.

the OEM pads should be ceramic.

There was only a $1 difference the other day when I asked the question about which pads came with his, it's the reason I asked.

IMHO the easiest way to determine which size rotor you have is too use a tape measure, there's about 3/4" difference in the 2 sizes so it's easy to tell the difference even if you just eyeball the tape measure, the 319mm comes to just a hair over 12 1/2", the 338mm comes to just under 13 5/16".

Just an FYI the 333mm you posted is incorrect, it's 338mm for the larger rotors.

I have had good luck with Centric Rotors bought on amazon. I put them on everything, V10 Excursion, civic SI, 4runner etc...

I get the ones that are coated black in the center and inside the vents.

I also recommend Akebono Pads. This is my go to combination for everyday street use. Quiet, low on dust and not too expensive.

See this post for an update on the PowerStop Z36 rotor at 44K miles.

I’m using Centric premium rotors with EBC green stuff for pads. The rotors have 45k on Them and are still smooth as silk with no wear lip. I’m on my second set of pads front and rear (changed less than 1k miles ago). I expect the rotors will last through this second set of pads. This is mostly city driving with probably 30 3000 lb 20 mile trailer towes a year.

My recommendation is to never get rotors turned (resurfaced) because there will be less thickness and they will warp again very shortly - forcing a full rotor replacement anyway. Just buy quality rotors the minute the OEMs warp. Also, I’ve tried slotted rotors in the past and the humming is a pain in the butt. Just go with quality solid rotors.

I will be using Centric premiums and EBC pads on all my vehicles in the future if there is a fitment for them.

Totally agree with you about resurfacing. Someone earlier in this thread said you should resurface every time you change pads. That's an "old wives tale" that's absolutely not true. Every time you remove mass from the rotor it reduces its ability to dissipate heat and increases the likelihood that it will warp again.

I'm thinking about upgrading my front brakes in the near future. I have an 05 SR5 and I want to go to the bigger, Sport model 338 mm rotors. I'm thinking about getting the Z36 kit with calipers. I've read about doing this but just to be sure; the only thing I should need to do to make the switch is to trim or modify the backing plates: is that correct? I'll be doing this in the next few months because my pads only have a little life left and my rotors are horribly warped. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Every aftermarket brake set up I ever bought has been akebono ceramic and brembo rotors greatest brake money I ever spent on over 12 cars
I didn’t check if brembo has a set on the 4Runner
Mike

Vouching further for the akebono pads is that their bedding period is to just not get them hot for 500km (or miles, I don't remember). So you just gotta cruise around nice and easy for a while.

Much easier for city dwellers, rather than pads that need to be cooked hard to work.