After Market Front Brakes

[camrtm3]

Hello All,

So I have a 2005 Limited 4.0. It is owned and mostly used by my father. Over the course of my research I have found like most of you that own the 03-09 4 runner along with the same years Tundra and Tacoma all have the issue where the front calipers seize in 1 or more pistons.

Well, as of 2 weekends ago, I have done the 3rd brake job with this truck, and the 3rd time I have had to replace the front calipers. Left side was toast when I started with it, and right was destroyed in one day by a warped new rotor.

I am currently been working on my 96 Toyota Camry for making it a performance car. Aka, my toy. In doing so I purchase for all 4 corners for about 2700 big brake kit by a company called Ceika. After Promoting it to my Honda Accord buddies, I created a semi relationship with the company.

In doing so I inquired Cedric, Ceika Director, if they are able to make aftermarket system for us. He replied with the R&D is willing to make custom kits for us starting at 330mm X 32mm rotors and moving up with what ever number of pot kit you are looking for. However, they are looking for about 15 to 20 people to an order to make it worth their while. Seeing as this is most likely the largest 4runner forum on the internet, I thought that it would be a good Idea to throw it out there for you all.

I would highly recommend visiting their website, because there are so many options for you all to pick from. From color, hat color, piston type, rotor type, etc.

Currently the only aftermarket system for these vehicles is made by Stoptech. Their kit is like 3K for front alone. The size of the Rotors are 355mm X 32mm.

Sample pics of one of the rear on my 96 Camry.

 

[C C]

if the StopTech kit is $3000, how much would this one be?

 

[WXman]

I saw the StopTech kit for $400 on the 'net this week. Did I miss something here?

 

[RPS13]

No way a StopTech kit would be $400. That's less than the cost of ONE of their calipers by itself.


Honestly, 2 piece rotors are a total waste on an SUV like a 4Runner. You've got an unsprung weight on each corner probably in the region of 120+ lbs, and probably over 140 lbs for the guys with big tires. So saving maybe 7-8 lbs with a 2 piece hat is totally unnecessary and just not something you'll "feel."


I have given some thought to the brake issue (I think one of my calipers is possibly frozen or getting there), so maybe I'll make another post about that.

 

[camrtm3]

First, you might see the Stoptech OEM size discs for $400 for a set. But the front BBK is most definately 3k.

I am just trying to look for a solution for this OEM caliper issue.

So I sent this thread off to Cedric to see this thread and possible want out of the 4 runner community. So the 330MM X 32 4 pot kit they can make once they get specs with out the 15 to 20 people. So that is some time on them getting specs. But the bottom of the barrel without anything like stainless and 4 pot it comes to $959.00 + shipping and customs. But that isn't too bad.

What they do need 15 to 20 people is they are looking for a group of people for a caliper set to fit the OEM rotor of 338mm. Price on this.... It will be less, but I don't have anything for you all yet. Big thing is interest.

 

[kkz]

I saw the StopTech kit for $400 on the 'net this week. Did I miss something here?

There is a huge difference between these brakes and regular replacement rotors & pads...

First, you might see the Stoptech OEM size discs for $400 for a set. But the front BBK is most definately 3k.

I am just trying to look for a solution for this OEM caliper issue.

So I sent this thread off to Cedric to see this thread and possible want out of the 4 runner community. So the 330MM X 32 4 pot kit they can make once they get specs with out the 15 to 20 people. So that is some time on them getting specs. But the bottom of the barrel without anything like stainless and 4 pot it comes to $959.00 + shipping and customs. But that isn't too bad.

What they do need 15 to 20 people is they are looking for a group of people for a caliper set to fit the OEM rotor of 338mm. Price on this.... It will be less, but I don't have anything for you all yet. Big thing is interest.

Have you posted on tacomaworld yet? You'll probably find a lot more interest over there. Although I am due for a brake change so I'll look into it.

 

[camrtm3]

I well understand that stop tech rotors and pads are an improvement on stopping power.

However that is not the goal of this thread. I came here looking for people that were tired of replacing their front calipers every time they did pads. The initial contact with Ceika was to find a way to make a powerful caliper that will bolt on to the OEM rotor and not seize. I mean everyone here replaces the front calipers. The day I signed up for this forum I saw 2 different threads about someone getting pissed of about the front calipers seizing. Hell, when a Toyota dealer is carrying 3 sets of the 13WG, 13WH, and 13WL calipers and goes through them in a day there is a problem. I am just looking for a solution. And if Ceika can make an aftermarket caliper that bolts up and doesn't seize for 1 grand it would pay for itself in 2-4 year because of the number of calipers and rotors you would go through because of a piston not functioning.

 

[WXman]

Well, here's the problem I see with this.

First of all, not everybody is doing calipers on an annual basis. My 4R had all four calipers replaced or rebuilt at around 70,000 miles or so. It's now at 110,500. Honestly, that's not bad.

Second, you can walk into any auto parts store around here and get the upgraded WH calipers for $80 bucks each. Which means you could literally buy a dozen calipers for the price of this aftermarket upgrade and by the time you get to the 12th caliper the vehicle will have hundreds of thousands of miles on it.

But... more power to you. I hope your venture goes well.

 

[Gatafly]

Only problem I see is at a price of 1k most won't want to do it IMO. Maybe I am just cheap, but calipers are a breeze to change and many now buy the ones with a lifetime guarantee so the over all cost not considering labor is waaay cheaper. I personally have almost 130k on my '04 in a snow and salt state and still have not had a caliper problem. When I do, I will buy lifetime guaranteed ones locally and have them changed in 30 minutes. The Ceika ones sound cool, but just throwing out my opinion.

 

[Mike07SE]

For just a caliper that would bolt up to the stock mounts and work with the OEM rotor - I'd pay around the $750 mark.

For a BBK that I'd shell $2500-3K for, these caliper better be 6-pots with upsized rotors.

My 2 cents.

 

[camrtm3]

I have no problem with you all having an opinion. Perfectly fine for you all. WXman, you are just really lucky. If you have a secret please share with us. HAHA

We got this truck after it was a one year dealer advertisement car. Where the truck was used by someone in the dealership for one year to driver to place to place. So it only had 16K on it when we purchased it in Feb 2006. It went for its first brake job in 2008 for the issue of brake pedal vibrating. It turned into a replacement of the left front caliper, new pads, and the front rotors being turned. In 2011 I have learned to do my own work and did pads on all 4 corner only to replace both front calipers. Now the truck has 118K on it, with the bumpy streets of Baltimore so TBS is going off constantly and using the brakes to stop wheel slip. This is my story with the 13WH calipers. As you can see the first time was about $1200 to have the dealer do it. Second time was about $600 with core return...(Standard Autoparts). And this time it was $600 because of rotors but since the first set of the front rotors were warped, it was a little more to run our spare vehicle at the time which takes premium only and just constantly chugs that gas.

Now I did find that the TRD FJ would fit. PN/PTR09-35070 However this solution is one $2K. The other thing is it needs a 16.5 inch wheel.... which means its smaller then the 13WH calipers.....smaller rotor.... less braking power...

So I have sent out an email to Cedric again, informing that the largest concern would be price to get a more rounded number for you all.