Anything I can do to improve the stock brakes?

[ElectroBoy]

I never drove it, but why not use the transmission to control descent speed instead of riding the brakes?

If you have a heavy load in the truck even with lower gears it’s real steep and twisty and your engine gets revving pretty high, so you’re using the brakes a lot regardless. You’re in 2WD. Plus there’s a train of cars behind you eager to keep moving fast. Some folks don’t mind it but I take the longer less steep bypass.

It’s a blast going up, though. But you should try descending it at least once, if you drive to the Bay Area via Rt 120.

 

[Charlievee]

If you have a heavy load in the truck even with lower gears it’s real steep and twisty and your engine gets revving pretty high, so you’re using the brakes a lot regardless. You’re in 2WD. Plus there’s a train of cars behind you eager to keep moving fast. Some folks don’t mind it but I take the longer less steep bypass.

It’s a blast going up, though. But you should try descending it at least once, if you drive to the Bay Area via Rt 120.

I'll pass. Life goal, never set foot out of LAX.

 

[Groove1797]

Does anyone have an issue with warping rotors? I'm on my second set with 62,000 on the clock. The only thing I tow is a custom trailer with 2 karts in it. I drive like a grandma and at MOST it weighs 2,500 pounds with all fluids, tool chest, etc...

 

[rb92673]

Does anyone have an issue with warping rotors? I'm on my second set with 62,000 on the clock. The only thing I tow is a custom trailer with 2 karts in it. I drive like a grandma and at MOST it weighs 2,500 pounds with all fluids, tool chest, etc...

Most often the warped rotor feeling is actually brake pad material applied inconsistently to the rotor. I had that with my stock brake pads and rotors. I switched out to Akebono's after I work through the original pads at about 45k.

I replaced with:
AKEBONO ACT606 - pads
AKEBONO ACT976 - pads
CENTRIC 12044175 - rotors
CENTRIC 12044174 - rotors

No warped feeling after 15k miles which includes 5,000 # trailer hauling over 1500 miles. I like the pedal feel more now too.

Maybe try bedding in your next set of pads per the manufacturers recommendation next time. I did several 50 mph -> 10 mph stops on mine, without going to 0 mph to spread the pad material evenly on the rotors.

Tirerack article on bedding in:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=85

 

[MidniteTRD]

glad i'm not the only one who's been pretty dissapointed overall with the brake feel and modulation. with about 800 miles on our new TRD OR i've been chalking it up to simply not being used to it, but at this point its clear its the vehicle. i'm not hamfisted by any means - my other car is a civic Si with a 6 speed manual and has very sensitive controls - but i look like a 16 year old driving the yota.

i think its likely the pads. they're designed for low dust, low noise and long wear characteristics, so they're going to seriously lack initial bite and the friction characteristics are going to favor low resistance until there's a ton of brake pressure. like others have mentioned i'll likely change them out in the future. i've had good success in the past with Akebono products on our last SUV so they'll be my first look.

i have Stoptech Sport pads on my Si, and they are extremely powerful and fade resistant with their downfall being dust. my wheels are black within a week or two. if i drive it hard, they'll literally be coated within a day. worth a look if you don't mind the free wheel color change!

 

[KP Texan]

I realize I'm the exception here, but I'm pretty impressed by my 4Runner's brakes. In fact, I like them so much that I just replaced the front pads with another set of OEMs. I find the initial bite and other braking characteristics to be just right for me.

Maybe it's because I've only driven trucks for the past 15 years? I do know that I much prefer them over the '13 F-150, '18 F-150, and '06 Tundra brakes I've driven on a daily basis.

That being said, if I didn't use stock pads, I would've gone with Hawk LTS since I've had very good luck with them in the past - in this instance I didn't feel they were worth the price difference. I also know that the factory Toyota rotors are better than the Chinese cast rotors that make up 99% of the aftermarket...

 

[keph13]

FWIW, I not-quite-panic stopped last night for a porcupine in the road, and was amazed at how quickly the truck stopped (without even activating break assist, which I've also been impressed with). I know people have said it's caught them by surprise, but personally I leave sufficient following distance to the car in front of me and have only triggered it from animals jumping out.

I did notice the brakes feeling a bit stiff recently (around 80,000 miles), but the dealer had just replaced the front calipers so I wonder if there was a little bit of air in there. I also replaced the serpentine belt along the way, and at some point it stopped happening.

In terms of the creep, my theory is that it happens when the AC compressor kicks on and the RPMs increase to compensate. It's never been more than slight movement for me.

 

[Mr. King]

I was having the same poor feel and apparent creep.

What I did was out of frustration. Before you say I'm crazy try this. It worked for me. YMMV!

Start the car and then step on the brake pedal HARD and then release. Repeat this one more time. Don't stomp the pedal, just a good hard, smooth press. Hold it at the bottom for a few seconds each time.

I immediately had better brake modulation. It was almost too sensitive. After a very short time the brakes now have a very good feel.

If it doesn't work it didn't cost you anything and you don't have to tell anyone. If it does, great!

Mr. King

 

[Charlievee]

I was having the same poor feel and apparent creep.

What I did was out of frustration. Before you say I'm crazy try this. It worked for me. YMMV!

Start the car and then step on the brake pedal HARD and then release. Repeat this one more time. Don't stomp the pedal, just a good hard, smooth press. Hold it at the bottom for a few seconds each time.

I immediately had better brake modulation. It was almost too sensitive. After a very short time the brakes now have a very good feel.

If it doesn't work it didn't cost you anything and you don't have to tell anyone. If it does, great!

Mr. King

You do this every time you start it? Anyone know if the system has electronic "blead" i know some newer trucks do, but need a cpu to do it.

 

[Mr. King]

You do this every time you start it?

Nope. One time.

It's really too simple, but it worked.

Mr. King

 

[Ripper238]

I have been happy with my 2019 4R breaks and breaking. Sure they fade a bit when slowing from high speeds compared to my Mazda3 but i never roll if i have my foot on the break properly. Maybe wear work boots? lol

I had someone tell me they are basically like Brembos? But i guess not since many seem to think they are not that great?

 

[Charlievee]

I have been happy with my 2019 4R breaks and breaking. Sure they fade a bit when slowing from high speeds compared to my Mazda3 but i never roll if i have my foot on the break properly. Maybe wear work boots? lol

I had someone tell me they are basically like Brembos? But i guess not since many seem to think they are not that great?

Lol, no not like Brembo. The main issue for me is all the drive by wire crap and the nanny brake assist feature. I knew better to buy a car thats designed by a state safety regulations. I will be building my next one.

 

[BigCountryT4R]

I have been happy with my 2019 4R breaks and breaking. Sure they fade a bit when slowing from high speeds compared to my Mazda3 but i never roll if i have my foot on the break properly. Maybe wear work boots? lol

I had someone tell me they are basically like Brembos? But i guess not since many seem to think they are not that great?

Only thing similar to Brembo is they have mutliple pistons. That's it.

 

[Ripper238]

Only thing similar to Brembo is they have mutliple pistons. That's it.

I think that's what my friend was implying. Thanks.

 

[GripT4R]

They are similar to the 4pot brembos that most manufacturers use on "sports" cars....that being said 4 pot brembos suck unless the car weighs 2000lbs.

 

[Ripper238]

They are similar to the 4pot brembos that most manufacturers use on "sports" cars....that being said 4 pot brembos suck unless the car weighs 2000lbs.

Better than drums i would guess or Ford disk breaks. I have been pleasantly surprised at how good the breaking is on my new 4R, if not impressed. But i only have 6K on my 4R.

 

[Charlievee]

Better than drums i would guess or Ford disk breaks. I have been pleasantly surprised at how good the breaking is on my new 4R, if not impressed. But i only have 6K on my 4R.

Funny, my last ford had Brembo brakes.

 

[RPS99SHO]

I realize I'm the exception here, but I'm pretty impressed by my 4Runner's brakes. In fact, I like them so much that I just replaced the front pads with another set of OEMs. I find the initial bite and other braking characteristics to be just right for me.

I'm with you. I'm coming from a BRZ and a GTI, and I don't find the 4R brakes objectionable. In fact, they're quite adequate. When the stockers wear down I'll go OEM again.

 

[gdvan01]

Yep, brake upgrades are planned. Anyone else experience fade or more like acceleration while slowning down on a slight incline. Scares the hell out of me. Same stop sign in my neighborhood. Slow down, hit the slight upgrade and it feels like you speed up. Hate all the drive by wire crap.

Yep, a couple times.
It's a bit unsettling.

 

[ElectroBoy]

AKEBONO ACT606 ProACT Ultra Premium Ceramic Pad Rear

AKEBONO ACT976 ProACT Ultra Premium Ceramic Pad; Includes Shims
Front;

CENTRIC 12044175 - rear

CENTRIC 12044174 - front

Rockauto.com has them and the rotors

Tex and [MENTION=130156]rb92673[/MENTION]
I see there also is an Akebono Performance model for front and rears: ASP976 and ASP606. With supposedly better stopping capability. Was there a reason not to go with these?