Please everyone I need help! I've finally decided to bite the bullet and purchase upgraded front rotors and ceramic pads for my rig, but I'll be damned if I can find any to fit a 2003 4runner with 17" wheels other than stock OEM's. Am I missing something?? I've read discussions about members upgrading to Brembos and Power Stop but where can I buy them from?? Early model 4Runners have a plethora of options...how 'bout the 4th generation?? I definitely want better quality than OEM's but I don't need race stopping power either...HELP!
Brake help needed
- Thread starter gac689
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greasefingers
New member
I cannot help with upgraded brakes parts, because I love the OEM brakes on her. This is my third SUV and by far the best brake system out of them all.
TRD04RUNNER
New member
I think the brake system on the 4R is the BEST out their! How many SUV do you know come stock with 4 piston caliper on the front?:awais:
Bobby
New member
gac689 said:
First, ceramics are really cool and neat but not ready for prime time on passenger cars of any type. Yeah, they're options on some Porsches but they do it right and they still have some issues to sort out. Oh... and they're a $10,000 option. You know you have a SUV, right?
First question is why do you want to upgrade? Just have money burning a hole in your pocket?
The stock brakes are pretty good. To make them better, you can try different brake pads. You'll be amazed what just changing pads will do. Also realize the better performance pads will dust like crazy. The ones that don't dust will stop like shit. You have to find a happy medium. Personally, I'll take better braking over less dust any day. (Try buffing out a front end collision).
One other suggestion would be to look further ahead and anticipate traffic and your vehicle speed. You'll realize that your brakes are pretty damn good.
rossmon1
New member
Re: Re: Brake help needed
Just had to chime in since i'm probably one of the few people used to driving carerra gt's with the ceramic brakes! See my avatar.
They are truly awesome and on heavy stops the seat belts keep you from wacking the steering wheel
I agree that they are a bit of overkill for a t4r.
BTW its the rotors that are ceramic on the GT, my mechanic never mentioned the pads, so I will have to ask.
Bobby said:First, ceramics are really cool and neat but not ready for prime time on passenger cars of any type. Yeah, they're options on some Porsches but they do it right and they still have some issues to sort out. Oh... and they're a $10,000 option. You know you have a SUV, right?
First question is why do you want to upgrade? Just have money burning a hole in your pocket?
The stock brakes are pretty good. To make them better, you can try different brake pads. You'll be amazed what just changing pads will do. Also realize the better performance pads will dust like crazy. The ones that don't dust will stop like shit. You have to find a happy medium. Personally, I'll take better braking over less dust any day. (Try buffing out a front end collision).
One other suggestion would be to look further ahead and anticipate traffic and your vehicle speed. You'll realize that your brakes are pretty damn good.
Just had to chime in since i'm probably one of the few people used to driving carerra gt's with the ceramic brakes! See my avatar.
They are truly awesome and on heavy stops the seat belts keep you from wacking the steering wheel
I agree that they are a bit of overkill for a t4r.
BTW its the rotors that are ceramic on the GT, my mechanic never mentioned the pads, so I will have to ask.
Koz
New member
There are not many aftermarket brake upgrades available for the 4Runner. The only high performance set-up I've seen is "StopTech". SERIOUS COIN!
Big Brake Kits
StopTech front wheel Big Brake Upgrade for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The kit includes ST-40 4-piston front calipers painted red, black, or silver, 7075-T6 billet aluminum caliper mounting brackets, 355x32mm slotted, floating, front AeroRotors, 7075-T6 billet aluminum AeroHats with directional standoffs, StopTech SS (DOT compliant) front brake lines, and Axxis Ultimate front brake pads. Requires 18 inch or larger wheels, however not all 18 inch wheels will fit. Please check the wheel fitment chart for your car. Options: Drilled rotors - $100 per pair; Yellow or blue paint - $200 per pair of calipers and 30 day lead time.
$2695.00 - Item No. 83-864-4700
Big Brake Kits
StopTech front wheel Big Brake Upgrade for the 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The kit includes ST-40 4-piston front calipers painted red, black, or silver, 7075-T6 billet aluminum caliper mounting brackets, 355x32mm slotted, floating, front AeroRotors, 7075-T6 billet aluminum AeroHats with directional standoffs, StopTech SS (DOT compliant) front brake lines, and Axxis Ultimate front brake pads. Requires 18 inch or larger wheels, however not all 18 inch wheels will fit. Please check the wheel fitment chart for your car. Options: Drilled rotors - $100 per pair; Yellow or blue paint - $200 per pair of calipers and 30 day lead time.
$2695.00 - Item No. 83-864-4700
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Koz
New member
There is also a set of rotors that are always on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7983500382&category=33564
If you decide to get this set please let us know how they work.
Koz
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7983500382&category=33564
If you decide to get this set please let us know how they work.
Koz
greasefingers
New member
Nice find Koz. Wouldn
Bobby
New member
$269 for a full set of rotors isn't too bad but drilled rotors have a tendency to crack if the holes are drilled and not cast.
Isn't this all kinda silly though? I mean, it's a SUV. It has more than enough braking power. You're not going on twisty roads at double the posted limit. I think a full coil-over suspension system would be a better investment.
Isn't this all kinda silly though? I mean, it's a SUV. It has more than enough braking power. You're not going on twisty roads at double the posted limit. I think a full coil-over suspension system would be a better investment.
boston_kevin
New member
Bobby said:
Bobby - I think you meant to say if they are drilled incorrectly. Drilled rotors have been in use on hi-perf cars (including NASCAR and IRL) for many years and none have cracked a rotor. You don't cast "drilled rotors", you cast rotors with cooling vents, then drill with special equipment and precision to get the optimal cooling.
I looked into this a while ago, and while Brembo doesn't make anything to fit the stock 4Runner 17" rims, they said they could custom fit something for me to the tune of 3 grand... no thanks. The brakes are excellent as they are, just don't ride them.
Bobby
New member
No, I said what I meant.
Comparing any street car, especially a SUV, to a NASCRAP car or IRL open wheel car is wrong on so many levels.
First, race cars don't care about longevity. One race, 200-500 miles and that's it. Brake components are considered disposable or wear-item parts. They might rebuild the calipers but they throw away the rotors and pads after every race. In IRL, they use small wheels to prevent larger brakes to lower racing speeds (same with CART and F1). They use carbon composite rotors and pads (some use ceramics) that cost more than a 4runner.
Now there are 2 ways to manufacture rotors with holes and slots. Cast them or drill them. When you drill into steel, you create stress fractures around the holes and eventually, they crack. The reason they do this? It's frickin cheap! And the Fast'n'Furious crowd jump all over this. The right way is to have the holes and slots cast.
Oh... and the holes aren't for cooling. Some brake pads generate gases when they're applied. The more braking force (harder you press on the pedal), the more gases between the rotor surface and pad material. The slots and holes are to evacuate these gases so you have better braking. You need to find a balance b/c with all the holes and slots, you remove friction surface from the rotor.
Comparing any street car, especially a SUV, to a NASCRAP car or IRL open wheel car is wrong on so many levels.
First, race cars don't care about longevity. One race, 200-500 miles and that's it. Brake components are considered disposable or wear-item parts. They might rebuild the calipers but they throw away the rotors and pads after every race. In IRL, they use small wheels to prevent larger brakes to lower racing speeds (same with CART and F1). They use carbon composite rotors and pads (some use ceramics) that cost more than a 4runner.
Now there are 2 ways to manufacture rotors with holes and slots. Cast them or drill them. When you drill into steel, you create stress fractures around the holes and eventually, they crack. The reason they do this? It's frickin cheap! And the Fast'n'Furious crowd jump all over this. The right way is to have the holes and slots cast.
Oh... and the holes aren't for cooling. Some brake pads generate gases when they're applied. The more braking force (harder you press on the pedal), the more gases between the rotor surface and pad material. The slots and holes are to evacuate these gases so you have better braking. You need to find a balance b/c with all the holes and slots, you remove friction surface from the rotor.
sorry to bring up a 5 years old post, but I simply can't let false information to spread. As a hobby machinist, I can tell you machining steel, or in layman's term, drill, when done correctly, will not weaken rotor any more then a hole casted in a mold.
B