I have been reading quite a bit and want to upgrade my brakes on my 08 SR5.

My initial plan was to upgrade to Powerstop Z36 Truck and Tow brakes for front and rear for more stopping power due to bigger tires and much more weight on the vehicle than stock and still adding up fast. I plan on going with the following...

*Front- 5th Gen Rotors, Calipers, and pads
*Rear- 4th Gen Rotors, 5th Gen Calipers, and pads

Since the new thread was started here- Best bang for the buck rotors and pads?

I have been considering going with Centric premium rotors, Akebono Ultra premium ceramic pads, and Centric Posi quiet calipers both front (having trouble finding front rotors) and rear all 5th Gen except rear rotors will be 4th Gen.

Would the 2nd combo have just as good stopping power or close? I also considered going with the 2nd combo but maybe just getting Powerstop red calipers since I want them red anyways. I’ve heard mixed reviews on the Powerstop calipers about them getting stuck and curious what to do? I like how the Centric premium rotors are painted black on the hub and perforations since the OEM rust and look terrible with my wheels. I have seen the drilled slotted rotors rust and don’t want the Powerstop rotors rusting. I have also read that the Powerstop rotors are and can be noisy.

No responses yet, so I’ll reframe my questions and hope to gain some knowledge to help make my decisions.

For the Powerstop Z36 brake kits, what makes them have more stopping power? Is it the Pad/material type, calipers, rotors? All equally?

Wondering if I go with Centric rotors, Powerstop calipers and pads, will it have the same stopping power? What about Centric rotors, Akebono pads, Powerstop calipers?

The Powerstop Z36 has better stopping power from the pad material. The pad size is the same. The rotors I believe are also cross drilled and slotted which helps with heat on long decents.

Just my two cents, but I've noticed zero issues with the Akebono/Centric combo that I'm running, even as the weight on my truck continues to balloon (steel bumper / armor / etc.) over the past year. Worth noting that I do have the larger 4th gen calipers.

I can't comment on the Powerstop setup but have heard good things.

ETA: I'd also replace the brake fluid as part of the service to give whatever calipers you go with the bet shot at a good long life.

Get some Akebono or OEM pads and some cryo-treated rotors.

Ordered the Z36 kit last week for my 04 V8. Half arrived today. I've been experiencing a handful of symptoms that I'm diagnosing as at least one seized/poor caliper (dip in MPG, slight tilt to the steering wheel even after alignment, pulsation while stopping). Figured it was worth finding out how it performs for the price.

Remind me in like 2 weeks and I'll let you know my feedback!

I've had the powerstop kit for about 3 months now and can't think of a single bad thing. I use the truck to tow my food trailer every now and again and no complaints. Stopping is great and I'd definitely recommend.

I didn’t use the Z36 kit because it wasn’t available when I needed it, but I have the Z25(22?) powerstop and it’s been great. No issues at all.


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Thank you for all the responses fellows. Sounds like the larger front 5th gen rotors themselves will increase stoping power and anything from there will help even more.

My dust shields are pretty corroded and in bad shape. If I replace them would I be advised to go with 5th gen shields since I’ll be getting bigger rotors? Would they fit on a 4th gen? Stick with 4th gen new shields and just bend them back, or get the 4th gen sport shields?

Larger rotors will not increase stopping power. Only larger calipers & performance pads will do that. There is also no consensus that 5th gen components perform any better or are any less failure prone. Performance differences are all minimal as there are no OTS larger calipers that are direct fit for our runners.
I would just go with the larger 4th gen sport options if available.
For the calipers, I would go with a cheaper box brand that carriers a lifetime replacement because they will inevitably fail eventually. Can paint/PC them red yourself if desired..

My last upgrade was with centric rears, OEM calipers were fine. Stop tech slotted cryo fronts and Akebono performance pads all around. Ended up replacing the front calipers with O'reilly since I didn't know my PS was stuck until I started. Used the lifetime replacement warranty a year later when one was sticking and they replaced both without question.

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I wouldn't say the dust shields are worth replacing, unless you just want to spend the money, since you have to modify them to fit the bigger rotors anyway. I'd just cut it down and sand/paint if you feel the need to touch it up.

I had read to save your money for something else. They’re not just rusty, but rusted though in spots and not in the best shape. I’ll asses them again next time I have the wheels off.

@UrbanRunner651 I’m new to this, but curious why people upgrade to larger rotors if they don’t help? What’s the point in spending the extra money on 5th Gen rotors or why does the sport have a 338mm diameter larger rotor? Sorry if it’s a dumb question. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Good point about the lifetime warranty and buying on the calipers. The Powerstop calipers have a very short warranty (far from lifetime) and are a little pricey.

With your last upgrade was your stopping power any better or the same?

larger rotors do increase braking "performance", but by themselves they dont really increase stopping "power", aside from the fact that a larger rotor increases applied torque vs a smaller rotor since its further from the center of the wheel. but the difference in size between these 2 rotors is to small to make any real world difference in that regard.

the main benefit to larger rotors is the heat dissipation which means less brake fade when under hard stress like towing or long down hill driving such as down a big mountain or high speed braking etc. & less brake fade does mean more stopping power. so a larger rotor is better all around & when under hard barking conditions will mean better/more stopping force.

toyota on the sport models & other makers wouldnt offer larger rotors if there wasnt any benefit.

@cwilliams563 the larger rotors do help with brake fade and like what firebird says the larger diameter gives you more torque to slow the truck down faster. 4th gen Sport/Limited are the same diameter as 5th gen, but they're narrower by almost 4mm and the pistons in the calipers are smaller.

I forgot where I found this but it's relevant to this converstation:

4runner brake size
------------------
The 5th Gen calipers have shown less issues with seizing than the 4th gen calipers have. (my front left caliper seized which prompted this thread)
The 5th Gen front and rear caliper pistons are (2.5mm-3mm) larger than the 4th gens (not sure if this is compared to 13WH, 13WG or both)
The 5th Gen front rotors are 4mm thicker than the 4th Gen rotors. (this extra thickness helps with heat dissipation and warping)
The 5th Gen front rotors are the same diameter as the 4th Gen Sport (338mm or 13.307") (SR5 has 319.024mm or 12.56")

5th Gen Front Rotors:
Nominal Thickness: 31.8mm (1.25")
Minimum Thickness: 29mm (1.14")
4th Gen Front Rotors:
Nominal Rotor Thickness: 27.94mm (1.1")
Minimum Rotor Thickness: 25.908mm (1.02")

It is possible to use the larger (Sport) 4th Gen rotors with 5th Gen calipers...
The pistons in the calipers will over extend when the pads get warn down if you use the 4th Gen front rotors with the 5th Gen calipers.
It is highly recommended to upgrade the rotors too. It is even less recommended to use the SR5 rotors with the 5th Gen calipers
because of the smaller rotor diameter in addition to them being thinner.

5th Gen Rear Rotors:
Nominal Thickness: 18.034mm (0.71")
Minimum Thickness: 16.002mm (0.63")
Outside Diameter: 312.166mm (12.29")
4th Gen Rear Rotors:
Nominal Rotor Thickness: 18.034mm (0.71")
Minimum Rotor Thickness: 16.002mm (0.63")
Outside Diameter: 311.912mm (12.28")