Brake system overhaul

[KellyJ]

After going through 3 sets of OEM front disks in less than 100,000 miles, I've decided to kick it up a notch and install all new brakes front and rear. Here's what I've decided on:

Brembo Slotted front rotors (part # 45488)

Brembo rear drums (part # 7908-01062857)

EBC Red Stuff front brake pads (Part # DP7807)

OEM Toyota rear brake shoes

Toytec extended stainless steel brake line (rear)

I plan on doing all of this myself seeing as that it doesn't seem like too hard of a write up to follow. Just got the 150k service done at the dealer and they wanted roughly $1000 to redo all the brakes and whatnot, so going this route I'll save a few hundred bucks, get a better braking result (hopefully), and gain some more technical experience. Parts should be installed by this time next week, so check back for feedback on these parts.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Are you going with bigger rotors?

 

[KellyJ]

I don't think I'm gonna go the Tundra route. I couldn't find any info on whether or not I'd need to grind down the inside of my Limited wheels for the 231mm Tundras to fit (due to the larger caliper) so I just went the conservative route. I think I'll see an improvement over OEM parts for sure.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I don't think I'm gonna go the Tundra route. I couldn't find any info on whether or not I'd need to grind down the inside of my Limited wheels for the 231mm Tundras to fit (due to the larger caliper) so I just went the conservative route. I think I'll see an improvement over OEM parts for sure.

They will fit your wheels with no modification to wheels or caliper, guaranteed. There was a big thread about it once before. I know because I used to have your wheels and I was gonna do the 231.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I didn't necessarily mean the Tundra ones. There are plenty of other options out there.

I believe this would provide a large improvement.

 

[SIKHILUXSURF]

you dont need ebc reds on a 4runner that is overkill im running

ebc usr rotors front with ebc green 6000's
and goodrich lines and the difference is way better. i really dont like the brembos cuz they arent that great they are made in mexico.

 

[KellyJ]

They will fit your wheels with no modification to wheels or caliper, guaranteed. There was a big thread about it once before. I know because I used to have your wheels and I was gonna do the 231.

Okay, thanks for the info. Just curious though - what kept you from doing the 231's then?

I think I'll just stick with my original choices. I have installed Brembo's on my other vehicles (an Acura and a Lexus) and have been pleased with them, even if they are made in Mexico. They still have a warranty with them and I have a chance to pick up a set of the slotted ones for less than $150. If later down the road I don't end up liking them, I'll have one brake swap under my belt and will upgrade to the Tundra 231's. But before that I'll be getting new wheels and want to make sure I won't have to modify them in order to fit with 231's.

And Hilux, is the difference between the green and red pads really not reflected in the $5-10 price difference? I don't mind having very grippy pads.

 

[SIKHILUXSURF]

Okay, thanks for the info. Just curious though - what kept you from doing the 231's then?

I think I'll just stick with my original choices. I have installed Brembo's on my other vehicles (an Acura and a Lexus) and have been pleased with them, even if they are made in Mexico. They still have a warranty with them and I have a chance to pick up a set of the slotted ones for less than $150. If later down the road I don't end up liking them, I'll have one brake swap under my belt and will upgrade to the Tundra 231's. But before that I'll be getting new wheels and want to make sure I won't have to modify them in order to fit with 231's.

And Hilux, is the difference between the green and red pads really not reflected in the $5-10 price difference? I don't mind having very grippy pads.

red pads are made for track vehicles i would never use them on a street vehicle. they have to be heated up before the work well if not they will be worst that stock pads. it has nothing to do with grip its more of your safety that is at stake when using those. they will eat up your rotors as well. the brembos arent made in sloted rotors. the are slotted by another company here is the states so mostlikely they will fail when used with the ebc reds.

 

[KellyJ]

Alright thanks for the info, I'm gonna go with the Green Stuff 6000 pads after hearing this and researching them more. Now this is gonna sound stupid but I need to order two sets of pads right? One set is required for each rotor? Or do 4 come in a set?

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Okay, thanks for the info. Just curious though - what kept you from doing the 231's then?

My only setback - the cost. I have no money for things I don't actually need, and at the time my brakes were fine.

Unfortunately the stupid rotors warped again after I resurfaced them and got new pads, so I should really get on it. I am not going to spend much on them though, I'm just gonna get some OEM replacement Tundra calipers instead of the fancy powdercoated NHT ones or something. That, and the drilled and slotted rotors sound like they'd look great and be better against warp and heat distribution.

That would significantly drop the price, but still, since I like form with my function (hence drilled/slotted), I'm gonna get some stainless steel braided lines too. I'll probably take care of this soon. maybe I will get the powdercoated calipers somewhere alone the line, but OEM's are great for now. My favorite part would be the brake caliper showing through the spokes on the Tundra rims... damn...

Drilled and slotted will look good on your application too, I believe.

 

[SIKHILUXSURF]

Alright thanks for the info, I'm gonna go with the Green Stuff 6000 pads after hearing this and researching them more. Now this is gonna sound stupid but I need to order two sets of pads right? One set is required for each rotor? Or do 4 come in a set?

no you only need to order one no one sells pads per side.

 

[rdgt4r]

Kelly sounds good man, I need to do the same as you are. What is the cost gonna be if you dont mind me asking?

 

[rdgt4r]

I think all you need are standard vented rotors no need for drilled, unless you race. Another important component is a GOOD glycol or silicone based brake fluid replacement in the system. If you have old fluid it boils easier and probably has a max water content in it if its over a couple years old.

 

[KellyJ]

Thanks for all of the information guys, people like y'all are why this site's great. :bigok:

CoB - I feel you on pricing. I just took in my truck for the 150k service, only to find out that I had a leaking #1 oil pan, as well as have a failing alternator and stock brakes that are shot. I felt comfortable letting them do the maintenance and fixing the oil pan, but they wanted well over $1,000 to turn the front rotors and replace everything else. Why spend all that money when I can get the satisfaction of better performing parts and install them on my own, you know? But I guess that's what it's all about haha. I'm going to get the calipers powder coated in a GT-R-esque metallic bronze. This way they'll stand out but won't be as eye catching as red ones. (thanks to MillerPKA for this idea)

I have heard some bad things about slotted and drilled rotors losing structural rigidity over a short period of time, so that's why I decided to just go the slotted route.

Rdg, this is the tally as of tonight (began ordering the parts today, woot woot):

Brembo rotors - $230, shipped (local $150 set was already scooped up)

Brembo drums - $89 x 2 = $180 or so, shipped

EBC Green Stuff - $65, shipped

OEM rear shoes - $70, shipped

Toytec brake line - $45, shipped

=$590

And thanks for the tip on the fluid, not sure of the last time it was changed. Do you know of a high quality brake fluid that would work well?

 

[KellyJ]

Bump. They've been installed, pictures up after I get her washed today. Night and day difference. My 4Runner now stops better than my RDX, and pedal feel is up 10 fold. Slotted rotors are a bit noisy at full "lock", but man do they bite hard. Also, no more rusty rear drums. Truck looks like new. Sa-weet!:cheers:

 

[Vader]

Congrats, where is there a good write up for the rear drums?

 

[adamg32]

I'm probably going to end up doing the same thing when I get home for the summer, how much time did it take you and how hard was it? And I'd love to see some pics if you've got 'em.

 

[nor cal boy]

are the rear drums worth it? mine alwas get hot as $hit and smell like my a$$. however i drive like a pised off tenager because well im a teenager. my brakes are terible however. ive had the truck lesss than 5k(got her with 96k) and my rotors are warped. stopping hard on the freway takes a bit of time and sometimes i have to downshift to avoid rearending people.

dealer quoted well over a grand to re do the brakes, but i want to do a major overhaul-tundra calipers and 231mm discs. my question is that would it be easy to convert the rear to discs?

 

[KellyJ]

Hard to see the slots but they're there. Definitely worth every penny. I suggest getting new hardware when replacing the front brakes yourself, like the retaining clip and springs. The rear drums were completely stock and had never been messed with (nor had the shoes... well past their lifespan at 148,000 miles) so yes, it was a HUGE improvement.