Big Brake Kits for 5th Gen?

S

Special-k

New member
Hey Guys, Long time listener, first time caller...

I've had my '10 T4RL for about 2 months now and planning a lift and wheels/tires but future plans will definitely include a BBK. I still have my E92 M3 and just traded in a G55 for the 4R (much happier with the 4R BTW :rockon:), but both of those vehicles have much better brakes and looking to get something better for the Runner.

So far I've only found the option from Rotora and wondering if anyone can recommend other options or possibly give me a review of the Rotora BBK?
Big Brake Kits for the Toyota 4Runner | HorsepowerFreaks

Also, in case any vendors or technical guys are chiming in, I'm looking at two wheel options in the Method NV 18x9- either the +18mm/5.75", or -12/4.5. I like the look of the -12 offset but wondering if they would clear a BBK with the shorter backspacing and negative offset?

thanks
Kris
 
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You don't think that the "stock" brakes are good enough?
Try just tapping the Brake Pedal real fast from the Gas Pedal. Tell us what you think then.

:peace:
 
I don't recall anyone installing a BBK on the 5th Gen as the brakes up front are already 4 Pot and work great. I have changed out the rotors and pads on all four corners though.
 
KVA said:
I don't recall anyone installing a BBK on the 5th Gen as the brakes up front are already 4 Pot and work great. I have changed out the rotors and pads on all four corners though.
Click to expand...

What rotors/pads you swap out to? Was there a noticeable increase in stopping power from the stock set up?
 
Antman said:
It's like putting running shoes on a fat girl.

What's the point?
Click to expand...

Guess it's a combination of what I'm used to and personal preference. Not sure if you've driven a G55 or the Range Rover Sport, but that's the brake feel I'm going for.

Was hoping to see something less than $2k per axle which is a price range the Rotora is not in. Even my stoptech trophy kit for the M3 was under $6K for all four corners
 
Special-k said:
Guess it's a combination of what I'm used to and personal preference. Not sure if you've driven a G55 or the Range Rover Sport, but that's the brake feel I'm going for.

Was hoping to see something less than $2k per axle which is a price range the Rotora is not in. Even my stoptech trophy kit for the M3 was under $6K for all four corners
Click to expand...

Brake feel and actual performance are very different things. Case in point, your Range Rover Sport has unarguably better feel right? 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Full Test on Edmunds.com

60-0 mph test show: 124 ft

Meanwhile the inferior feeling 5th gen 4runner: 2011 Toyota 4Runner Road Test Specs

60-0 mph test show: 122 ft

4runner stops two feet shorter, lol.
 
which limits a driver's control of brake input on the race track.*

.. That came from the description in the link the OP posted... You know because we all are part of the T4SR (Toyota 4Runner Racing Series).

I had rotora drilled and slotted rotors on my CRV. they looked cool, but never got hot enough to make a difference over stock.

I can see his case on the BMW. Not sure on the suv's.

Okki
 
Special-k said:
Guess it's a combination of what I'm used to and personal preference. Not sure if you've driven a G55 or the Range Rover Sport, but that's the brake feel I'm going for.

Was hoping to see something less than $2k per axle which is a price range the Rotora is not in. Even my stoptech trophy kit for the M3 was under $6K for all four corners
Click to expand...

IMO your problem with "feel" may be related to the suspension and not necessarily the size of the rotors. Both the G55 and the range rover sports are set up suspension wise for street and have much firmer suspension. Softer suspension can lead to a mushy feeling when you are getting feedback from the brakes because the energy is absorbed by the suspension before feeding back into brake feel. Look up brake dive and see if that doesn't describe your problem. It's where I'd put my money.

On most cars rotor size doesn't affect feel all that much but it offers better cooling and less brake fade under continued use.
 
Last edited:
Special-k said:
What rotors/pads you swap out to? Was there a noticeable increase in stopping power from the stock set up?
Click to expand...

StopTech all around - drilled and slotted. Posiquiet ceramic pads.

They stop about the same but I can see that if they ran hotter they would grip better. Probably going to change pads to the EBC Yellowstuff once these wear down. Some folks on the board run these and have good things to say about them.

I swapped everything as I was having constant squeaking - even after having the rotors turned - pads replaced, etc... all OEM parts. Drove me crazy. This switch fixed it all...not a sound now. If I didn't have any noise and the dealer could have figured out the issue I probably would have kept it stock.
 
If you want to upgrade the actual braking of the vehicle then go with new pads. Especially if your looking for more initial bite. As far as what pads to get.... I have no idea. The 5th gen is new enough that many people are still running original pads and those that are not have not posted many pad reviews(or just stuck with OEM). I currently have a set of EBC Yellows waiting to be swapped in, but it will be a while before I can justify tossing my OME pads. I got them because A: they were a screaming deal and B: I was hoping to get better fade resistance over stock - However I have not yet gotten the 4Runner to fade under normal conditions so the purchase may have been premature and I was coming from a vehicle that had major fade issues.

IMHO, skip any drilled or slotted rotors as they are for looks and nothing else. Many of the test vehicles that I get to drive now have drilled and/or slotted rotors and I have seen a lot of spider cracking. The vast majority of people buy cars on their looks - knowing nothing about how it actually works- which is why many manufactures have started putting this type of rotor in their vehicle. They make the brakes look cool and high-tech to inspire confidence in potential buyers. The reality is that those rotors will cost a lot more in the future while returning no gains to the customer.

If your looking for a more solid pedal feel then I would go for some SS lines. We all know the Runner has a long-travel and squishy brake pedal (lol) and SS lines will help.

Bottom line: The 4Runner will never be a M3. It cannot hold a candle to a M3 in many departments, including breaking. However the next time it snows, or you need to drive down a muddy road, you wont be reaching for the BMW keys. (I will not say anything about the G55 as I love G's, but I'm not into flushing monies so I can see why that was the trade:) )
 
Okki said:
which limits a driver's control of brake input on the race track.*

.. That came from the description in the link the OP posted... You know because we all are part of the T4SR (Toyota 4Runner Racing Series).

I had rotora drilled and slotted rotors on my CRV. they looked cool, but never got hot enough to make a difference over stock.

I can see his case on the BMW. Not sure on the suv's.

Okki
Click to expand...

Cross drilled / slotted rotors are ONLY for show.
 
Back to the original question - I thought the standard response to this type of inquiry to start looking at Tundra brake systems.
 
FrontRange4Runner said:
Bottom line: The 4Runner will never be a M3. It cannot hold a candle to a M3 in many departments, including breaking. However the next time it snows, or you need to drive down a muddy road, you wont be reaching for the BMW keys. (I will not say anything about the G55 as I love G's, but I'm not into flushing monies so I can see why that was the trade:) )
Click to expand...

2whmonl.png
 
Special-k said:
Hey Guys, Long time listener, first time caller...

I've had my '10 T4RL for about 2 months now and planning a lift and wheels/tires but future plans will definitely include a BBK. I still have my E92 M3 and just traded in a G55 for the 4R (much happier with the 4R BTW :rockon:), but both of those vehicles have much better brakes and looking to get something better for the Runner.

So far I've only found the option from Rotora and wondering if anyone can recommend other options or possibly give me a review of the Rotora BBK?
Big Brake Kits for the Toyota 4Runner | HorsepowerFreaks

Also, in case any vendors or technical guys are chiming in, I'm looking at two wheel options in the Method NV 18x9- either the +18mm/5.75", or -12/4.5. I like the look of the -12 offset but wondering if they would clear a BBK with the shorter backspacing and negative offset?

thanks
Kris
Click to expand...

Kris, I am looking to replace mine with DBA slotted rotors and EBC yellow stuff pads. It is the same size as stock, but should be an improvement
 
FrontRange4Runner said:
If your looking for a more solid pedal feel then I would go for some SS lines. We all know the Runner has a long-travel and squishy brake pedal (lol) and SS lines will help.

Bottom line: The 4Runner will never be a M3. It cannot hold a candle to a M3 in many departments, including breaking. However the next time it snows, or you need to drive down a muddy road, you wont be reaching for the BMW keys. (I will not say anything about the G55 as I love G's, but I'm not into flushing monies so I can see why that was the trade:) )
Click to expand...

Totally squishy pedal, I think that might be the first issue I'd like to address.

I've actually been driving the 4R more lately and it's still stock! It's a beast in the snow, bunch of trips up to Stevens Pass, and one longer trip to Whistler. We were getting some decent snow late Jan-Feb and glad to have this rig. GWags are definitely a colossal waste of money, I'd only get one again if I could afford one in warranty

eddiebx said:
Brake feel and actual performance are very different things. Case in point, your Range Rover Sport has unarguably better feel right? 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Full Test on Edmunds.com

60-0 mph test show: 124 ft

Meanwhile the inferior feeling 5th gen 4runner: 2011 Toyota 4Runner Road Test Specs

60-0 mph test show: 122 ft

4runner stops two feet shorter, lol.
Click to expand...

Great post on the stop distances, I'm pretty shocked to see those results, I couldn't find the G55 results though but it felt similar to the RR Sport (which has stock Brembos, so very impressive numbers for the 5th Gen 4R)
Bourbonator said:
Those are cars, the 4R is a truck. You will not be able to replicate the experience.
Click to expand...

Swarty said:
The G55 is not a car but it does have a surprisingly stiff stock suspension
Click to expand...

Loved the suspension and steering wheel feel on the G. Even on longer drives it wasn't all that bad


gago1101 said:
Kris, I am looking to replace mine with DBA slotted rotors and EBC yellow stuff pads. It is the same size as stock, but should be an improvement
Click to expand...

Sounds like a great set up, would love to hear feedback once you get them isntalled
 
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