13.3" vs. 12.6" brake rotors, what gains?

[Ian]

We're about to buy a new 4Runner and buried in the specs I noticed that the Sport has 13.3" front rotors versus 12.6 on the SR5 and Limited. The salesman was unaware of this...so he could offer no insight into the benefits. We plan to tow a car occoasionally with the 4Runner so I figure bigger brakes are better, but I'm wondering if it worth the extra $$$ that the Sport Edition commands over the SR5; especially since we have a line on a 2003 SR5 for $29k. Any insight is appreciated.

 

[Thai]

Ian,

Bigger disc brakes are better at preventing brake fading and provide more stopping power. However, true stopping power is more of tire contact with road, but bigger brakes do help also.

I think that the 4runner's basic brake system is quite impressive:

1. 4-channel, 4-sensor ventilated ABS system with Brake Assist
2. Electronic BrakeDistribution system
3. 4-piston each front calipers (2-piston rear)
4. Stability control
5. Relatively fat (wide) tires

Sopisticated stuffs!

So, i think that you will probably be fine with the smaller disc brake. However, if you do plan to tow often, then go with the Sport Edition.

Hope this helps.

 

[zerunner]

Hi ,

along with the bigger brakes, I think you also get X-Reas suspension, which does a very good job keeping the truck from waving like a whale or a ferry.
You should consider the bigger brakes, but be aware that not many winter tires are available on the mandatory 17 inches wheels. Not many 4 seasons too. I've had problems finding the right size, as 16 inches wheels don't fit.
You'll love your runner!

 

[silver4x419]

Hi ,

along with the bigger brakes, I think you also get X-Reas suspension, which does a very good job keeping the truck from waving like a whale or a ferry.
You should consider the bigger brakes, but be aware that not many winter tires are available on the mandatory 17 inches wheels. Not many 4 seasons too. I've had problems finding the right size, as 16 inches wheels don't fit.
You'll love your runner!

Cooper makes awesome 17" tires for all seaon/highway mileage tires/off road tires/winter tires...

I love my Cooper's.

Here is a link: http://www.coopertire.com/us/en/suvSegment.asp

Hope this helps.

 

[Ian]

We bought a 2004 4Runner V8 4x4 Sport last night, thanks for the help!
For an SUV it handles great, has strong brakes, and nice low-end grunt.

 

[j0mama]

Can you change them once you need rotors? or is everything different?

j0.

 

[gaslight]

in order to have larger diameter rotors the caliper should be located slightly farther away from the center. I don't think you could just slap on larger rotors.

 

[momo.75]

We bought a 2004 4Runner V8 4x4 Sport last night, thanks for the help!
For an SUV it handles great, has strong brakes, and nice low-end grunt.

:worthless

 

[Good Times]

Can you change them once you need rotors? or is everything different?

j0.

ofcourse you can install larger rotors, just means you gotta upgrade the other parts as well (i.e. pads etc etc) along w/ a larger wheel to asccomodate for the larger rotor

 

[RL Lemke]

www.pressroom.toyota.com specifications

Sport: 13.3 in front rotor with 450 square cm swept area, and 12.3 inch rear rotors with 320 square cm swept area, on 7.5 in x 17 wheels.

SR5 & Limited: 12.6 inch front rotor with 420 square cm swept area, and 12.3 inch rear rotor with 320 square cm swept area, on 7.0 inch x 16 or 17 inch wheels.

That is a 7% larger swept front rotor area for the Sport model. Since the front brakes do nearly all the work on this tall of a vehicle, that 7% should be more statistically accurate than the combined front and rear swept area difference of 4%.

 

[Ian]

:worthless

Wow, you folks are demanding.

 

[Ian]

Here's a pic of the front rotor through the 17" SE wheel

 

[momo.75]

That looks really good. Now you should paint those calipers.