Brake upgrade suggestions, 03 with 16" wheels.

[neal0124]

So I have an 03 V8 SR5 with what I believe are tundra 16" wheels, the factory brake calipers and an unknown brand of slotted rotors. I need more stopping power. Last week the girlfriend and I drove the Piute mountain trail and during the downhill drive I could feel the brakes fading bad, they were gassing off enough that I could smell them inside the cab. I ended up putting it in low range and engine braking down the hill. Later, while passing through Bakersfield on the way home I had to do an emergency stop and almost didn't stop in time.

I've been searching and haven't seen this brought up.
Can you do the Tundra 231 brake upgrade on the 4th gen trucks and get a performance boost? It seems like everyone with 4th gens do the larger 5th gen upgrade and the Tundra upgrade is done on the 3rd gens.

I have 16" wheels so the 5th gen brakes won't fit, and I do not want to buy new wheels and tires just to do the brakes.
I planned on changing rotors, calipers and the brake lines with a full fluid flush.

Anyone have thoughts on this, or seen/heard of this being done on a 4th gen? Would it be worth it on my 03?
My googlefu may be lacking, I just haven't seen anything on this yet.

 

[neal0124]

Anyone?

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Double-check the casting marks on your current caliper (can be done with the wheel on, just look at the back of the caliper near the brake hardline). You most likely have the 13wg or 13wl caliper, which is what most people were using for the Taco/4runner "tundra upgrade". This caliper uses a 12.5"/319mm rotor compared to the Sport brakes (13WH caliper) with 13.3"/337mm rotor, The larger rotor will only fit with 17" wheels.

You could either go with new OEM rotors and pads, or something like a Brembo blank rotor with Akebono pads, Hawk pads, etc. and keep your current calipers and wheels.

Any signs of seized calipers? Uneven pad wear or dragging brakes? If so you might as well bite the bullet and upgrade to 17" wheels and the 13WH caliper/rotor. Otherwise spend $200-250ish on quality pads and keep your current wheels and calipers.

I would love to upgrade to the 13WH on my truck, but my calipers are doing just fine. So I am installing Brembo UV coated blank rotors and Akebono pads. This should be good enough to last until my calipers seize.

Here is a good thread about the 5th gen brake upgrade- same diameter rotor as the 4th gen Sport brakes, but bigger pistons:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/196236-5th-gen-calipers.html

 

[Monkey Wrench]

A word of advice about slotted and/or drilled rotors if you offroad your rig- DON'T! Those fancy slots and holes trap dirt and chew through pads and rotors. I made that mistake on my 1st gen taco with the Tundra Upgrade Kit from LC Engineering. They look cool but not functional for the trails.

Street only rig? Let the drilled vs slotted vs smooth vs slotted and drilled debate begin!

 

[neal0124]

So I just pulled off a wheel and started measuring everything. I have 13wg calipers and 28mm thick, 319mm diameter rotors. So you're right, I apparently already have the "TBU". I do think I have a stuck piston though. On light braking there is a slight shimmy in the steering. I guess I'll just try upgraded pads and braided lines with fresh fluid to start. I just bought new 16" tires and can't really afford dumping a ton of money on new 17" wheels and tires right now.

At the moment the truck is probably 85% street, 15% trails. I've experienced brake fade strictly street driving before. I'll probably try ditching the slotted rotors as well.