5th Gen 4Runner Brakes Upgrade (for 4th Gen 4Runner)

[mcbru]

Did the swap about a month ago on my 05 V8 with the small brakes. Some notes from my install.

Got 2012 4Runner calipers, rotors, and pads (should be same anyway)

For anyone not wanting to pay for OEM prices: in my experience Centric is the only non-OEM brand I would trust to use quality seals and pistons. I purchased OEM calipers from a supplier but UPS put me thru hell and got the Centrics instead.

Only difficulty was removing the passenger side caliper bolts that hadn't moved since 2005. Besides that, just bent the dust shield back a bit and didn't need to cut anything. Bleeding the brakes wasn't difficult solo, but probably worth doing again whenever you have the wheels off next time.

The slow 40x pedal pumping thing was a game changer. After doing the install and first drive I said dammit, I need to bleed the brakes more. But remembered about this and it took the brake feel back to where it should be. You can hear a particular noise and suddenly the pedal feel changes.

 

[Berty_K]

Did the swap about a month ago on my 05 V8 with the small brakes. Some notes from my install.

Got 2012 4Runner calipers, rotors, and pads (should be same anyway)

For anyone not wanting to pay for OEM prices: in my experience Centric is the only non-OEM brand I would trust to use quality seals and pistons. I purchased OEM calipers from a supplier but UPS put me thru hell and got the Centrics instead.

Only difficulty was removing the passenger side caliper bolts that hadn't moved since 2005. Besides that, just bent the dust shield back a bit and didn't need to cut anything. Bleeding the brakes wasn't difficult solo, but probably worth doing again whenever you have the wheels off next time.

The slow 40x pedal pumping thing was a game changer. After doing the install and first drive I said dammit, I need to bleed the brakes more. But remembered about this and it took the brake feel back to where it should be. You can hear a particular noise and suddenly the pedal feel changes.

Can you elaborate on the 40x brake pedal pumping thing?

 

[mcbru]

Can you elaborate on the 40x brake pedal pumping thing?

Sure. Check out this post: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/1263477-post8.html

Long story short. Key off. Press and depress the brake pedal 40 times in a row. Do it SLOWLY, maybe holding the pedal down for 2-3 seconds and then up for 2-3 seconds. At about 20 pumps (it was exactly 20 for me) you will feel and hear a change. Do 20 more. Then you're done. Drive and enjoy.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

I just pulled my Centric 5th gens that had been on for a couple years. Not impressed. I don't know if the lime and clay on the trails here in Fla were to blame, but the seals were pretty much shot.

I intended to rebuild them but one piston was seized enough to where soaking in brake fluid and using 110 psi back through brake line wouldn't break it loose.

Doing a LT project now so I'm putting 5th gen OEM calipers and shields back on w 5th gen "R1concepts" rotors and pads. Already done a mock up w Dorman hubs, everything fits fine.

Certain Toyota markets have been having sales w free shipping on orders over $75 lately. CODE: FREESHIP

Bought quite a bit of parts from Toyota of Melbourne Fla in the past several months and they've done a pretty good job.

5th gen Calipers (left)

(Right)

When buying a set of 5th gen parts for a 4th gen, your VIN won't work obviously, so dont enter anything, and they will send a follow up email (no VIN provided) you have to respond to, that you acknowledge you still want the parts, so they are off the hook for fitment issues and return shipping. Just make sure you confirm part numbers when you receive them.

I've saved a butt load on the sales + free shipping deal in the last 6 months. Got a brand new LC 200 steering rack for just under $450 from McGeorge Toyota when they had this same deal going back in December.

 

[Skillz123]

Hi i was looking in to doing this mod as a calliper has sized up for the 3rd time hahah. Does anyone know if you get the core charge back if you give them back the wrong calliper? I guessing they probably wouldn't notice.

 

[ILL06V8]

I had the 5th gen front brakes on my Limited V8 for a couple of years now and I am happy.

I scored some rear brakes off of a new 5th gen 4runner, discovered the hub bore discrepancy as mentioned so I stuck with my OEM 4th gen discs.

One answer I have not been able to find anywhere is regarding the rear pads. Every post I've seen (including this one) claims they are THE SAME. However, the part numbers are DIFFERENT.

4th Gen rear brake pad kit: 0446660090
4th Gen rear brake pad shim kit: 0494630100

5th Gen rear brake pad kit: 0446660140
5th Gen rear brake pad shim kit: 0494660141

Visually, the pads are clearly made of a different material. The shims are quite different as well. It seems more logical to use the 4th gen pads with 5th gen shims on the 4th gen discs with 5th gen calipers but I couldn't be sure.

Does anyone know the REAL difference or have an answer for this? Thank you

 

[ace4aday]

I had the 5th gen front brakes on my Limited V8 for a couple of years now and I am happy.

I scored some rear brakes off of a new 5th gen 4runner, discovered the hub bore discrepancy as mentioned so I stuck with my OEM 4th gen discs.

One answer I have not been able to find anywhere is regarding the rear pads. Every post I've seen (including this one) claims they are THE SAME. However, the part numbers are DIFFERENT.

4th Gen rear brake pad kit: 0446660090
4th Gen rear brake pad shim kit: 0494630100

5th Gen rear brake pad kit: 0446660140
5th Gen rear brake pad shim kit: 0494660141

Visually, the pads are clearly made of a different material. The shims are quite different as well. It seems more logical to use the 4th gen pads with 5th gen shims on the 4th gen discs with 5th gen calipers but I couldn't be sure.

Does anyone know the REAL difference or have an answer for this? Thank you

I just did mine with Powerstop Z36 pads and rotors. They list pads as the same part number for 2003-2022, if you buy them separately from the kits.

 

[fearnohardship]

so i need to change my front brakes soon and thinking of going with oem rotors and ASP line of akebono brake pads.

does anyone think there will be an issue with this combo?

is it ok if i do just the fronts first than rears later ? also is it ok if the friction rating is different between front and rear or should i just change it all over.

not even sure what the rating of the oem ones are.

 

[ILL06V8]

I just did mine with Powerstop Z36 pads and rotors. They list pads as the same part number for 2003-2022, if you buy them separately from the kits.

The aftermarket will probably just list the same part because they have the same pad material. I'm referring to OEM, bringing up the possibility of compromised compatibility between the different OEM pad/shim/disc combos. Obviously they will all work, but I would like to know why they use different materials for the different (at least dimensionally by hub bore) discs.

Top photo is for a 06 Limited
Bottom photo is 2010+ 4Runner/GX460

 

[EnduringGuerila]

Updated OP:

UPDATE:
Some people are still having issues with the calipers still seizing. This seems highly situational and I haven't taken the time to look for a pattern of causation.

I personally have had 0 issues and absolutely love the added stopping power. (Installed everything in March 2018 and it's currently Jan 2023)


and

My personal installation guide...

(didn't have time to document, bought [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]PWR-KC138-36 and stainless braided Front and Rear lines[/FONT])

 

[mcbru]

Updated OP:

UPDATE:
Some people are still having issues with the calipers still seizing. This seems highly situational and I haven't taken the time to look for a pattern of causation.

I personally have had 0 issues and absolutely love the added stopping power. (Installed everything in March 2018 and it's currently Jan 2023)


and

My personal installation guide...

(didn't have time to document, bought [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]PWR-KC138-36 and stainless braided Front and Rear lines[/FONT])

Do the front stainless steel lines replace the hard metal "Z" looking part of the brake line that's very close to the caliper?

 

[EnduringGuerila]

Do the front stainless steel lines replace the hard metal "Z" looking part of the brake line that's very close to the caliper?

I believe it just replaced the rubber lines. There is too much snow right now, I'll try to take a picture in the next few days.

 

[Chitwood]

Sport Upgrade

Updated OP:

UPDATE:
Some people are still having issues with the calipers still seizing. This seems highly situational and I haven't taken the time to look for a pattern of causation.

I personally have had 0 issues and absolutely love the added stopping power. (Installed everything in March 2018 and it's currently Jan 2023)


and

My personal installation guide...

(didn't have time to document, bought [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]PWR-KC138-36 and stainless braided Front and Rear lines[/FONT])

Thanks for all your work on this thread.

The brakes on my son's '08 Sport are not feeling good at all. Really strong shaking during the braking process and I plan on fixing it ASAP.

Correct me if I'm wrong but fixing the Sport won't necessarily be an upgrade since the 4th gen came with the larger rotors & calipers.

The only question I have, is do I need to change the calipers? How would I know for sure if they're shot or the problem is limited to warped rotors?

Part of me just thought I would order calipers, rotors, and pads but wouldn't mind saving $300 if the existing OEM calipers are still good.

 

[EnduringGuerila]

Thanks for all your work on this thread.

The brakes on my son's '08 Sport are not feeling good at all. Really strong shaking during the braking process and I plan on fixing it ASAP.

Correct me if I'm wrong but fixing the Sport won't necessarily be an upgrade since the 4th gen came with the larger rotors & calipers.

The only question I have, is do I need to change the calipers? How would I know for sure if they're shot or the problem is limited to warped rotors?

Part of me just thought I would order calipers, rotors, and pads but wouldn't mind saving $300 if the existing OEM calipers are still good.

I am not sure if I completely understand your question but I think my recommendation would be to just buy caliper rebuild kits for your 4th gen sport calipers with brand new rotors+pads to save some money.
I highly recommend full brake fluid flush and conversion to full synthetic and I personally like to use DOT 4 in all my vehicles.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Thanks for all your work on this thread.

The brakes on my son's '08 Sport are not feeling good at all. Really strong shaking during the braking process and I plan on fixing it ASAP.

Correct me if I'm wrong but fixing the Sport won't necessarily be an upgrade since the 4th gen came with the larger rotors & calipers.

The only question I have, is do I need to change the calipers? How would I know for sure if they're shot or the problem is limited to warped rotors?

Part of me just thought I would order calipers, rotors, and pads but wouldn't mind saving $300 if the existing OEM calipers are still good.

Yes, the SE has the larger rotors so I don’t know how much of an upgrade 5th Gen brakes would be.

As for the calipers, my experience was that one or more pistons wouldn’t move when I tried to retract them. You could buy the calipers so you have them if needed then return them if not.

I just did my ‘07 Sport’s brakes with OEM pads and rotors since Toyota’s online price was essentially the same as the aftermarket gear I was looking at. Couldn’t be happier.

 

[Gamblin4Runner]

I just did this upgrade. What a difference in braking. The installation is straight forward. The Gen 5 rotors and calipers go right on.

I have the parts lists in another thread. I purchased everything from Rock Auto.

BPOWER STOP S2736 Performance Red Powder Coated; Includes: Caliper, Hardware, and Bracket; Includes: Caliper, Hardware, and Bracket Info
Rear x2

$155.58
Remove
BPOWER STOP S6278 Performance Red Powder Coated; Includes: Caliper, Hardware, and Bracket; Includes: Caliper, Hardware, and Bracket (where applicable) Info
Front (Only 2 Remaining)
x2

$233.58
Remove
Brake & Wheel Hub : Rotor
Related Parts
CCENTRIC 12644175SL StopTech Sport Slotted Info
Rear Left
$67.89 $0.00
1
$67.89
Remove
CCENTRIC 12644175SR StopTech Sport Slotted Info
Rear Right
$67.89 $0.00
1
$67.89
Remove
CCENTRIC 12644174SL StopTech Sport Slotted Info
Front Left
Previous Image

Next Image
$82.79 $0.00
1
$82.79
Remove
CCENTRIC 12644174SR StopTech Sport Slotted Info
Front Right
Previous Image

Next Image
$87.79 $0.00
1
$87.79
Remove
Brake & Wheel Hub : Brake Pad
Related Parts
AAKEBONO ACT606 {Click Info Button for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers} ProACT Ultra Premium Ceramic Pad Info
Rear; OE Pad Material Is Ceramic

$39.79 $0.00
1
$39.79
Remove
AAKEBONO ACT976 {Click Info Button for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers} ProACT Ultra Premium Ceramic Pad; Includes Shims Info
Front; OE Pad Material Is Ceramic

$44.79 $0.00
1
$44.79
Remove
Subtotal $780.10

This same order costs $1322.12 on Amazon, now! The rotor prices have doubled since your posting :ballchain:

 

[Late2theGameSR5]

I decided to do this upgrade to my 06 sr5 since it has the 17" wheels. Ordered the same centric calipers that many others have posted and this is what I got. I haven't seen those alternate stampings in other posts. My understanding is I need the 14WA calipers. Anyone else encountered this? Different manufacturer? Different caliper altogether?

 

[Greydog]

Sure. Check out this post: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/1263477-post8.html

Long story short. Key off. Press and depress the brake pedal 40 times in a row. Do it SLOWLY, maybe holding the pedal down for 2-3 seconds and then up for 2-3 seconds. At about 20 pumps (it was exactly 20 for me) you will feel and hear a change. Do 20 more. Then you're done. Drive and enjoy.

Great thread posts on the FSM process to get pedal pressure back. I’ve had a soft pedal off and on, and this cured it 100%. My pedal didn’t start to firm up until almost 40 pumps, so I went to 50 and it’s great. I love driving it again

 

[mochacho]

Just found a pair of calipers on a wrecked 5th gen cant wait to put them in.

 

[T4Rmiller]

Hi i was looking in to doing this mod as a calliper has sized up for the 3rd time hahah. Does anyone know if you get the core charge back if you give them back the wrong calliper? I guessing they probably wouldn't notice.

most, if not all people are getting the core charge refunded