Brake upgrade

[4runnerAzGuy]

I have an 04 4Runner sport with the V8. I'm going to go through the brakes before we do a 35 day trip in Feb. I'll be pulling our jayco trailer so I want to upgrade the rotors since they probably need replaced anyway.

Does anyone recommend any brands of some slotted or drilled and slotted rotors?

 

[CXS]

Your Jay Flight has brakes, you have a brake controller so OEM brakes would be fine. I don't see ant need to go aftermarket when your setup is very reliable as is.

I have a very similar setup and will be replacing my brakes before trailer season with OEM.

 

[4runnerAzGuy]

Yea that's true. Usually though whenever I do maint. Or replace parts I try and upgrade to something better when I can. Atleast when OEM Toyota parts aren't better.

 

[zidaro]

look thru my build thread. theres a bunch of brake info with pan's
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/217624-08-v8-4x4-el-camaleon-azul.html

 

[kimboy]

You can give the 5th Gen rotors and calipers a go.

I'm done with stuck calipers, 4 in over 13 years.

I used the existing centric rotors I had for my 4th Gen models and had them cut recently. Going better doesn't mean moving away from OEM. My Hawk SUV pads squealed like a pig, dusted up and the extra grab/bite wasn't a benefit in the end.

 

[Gatafly]

IMO stay away from drilled and/or slotted rotors. I have them on the front of my '04 and am not impressed. I will be going back to Wagner Thermos Quiet pads and rotors next time. have used them on many vehicles in the past and always had great luck.

 

[bdp1978]

After completely re-doing the brakes on my 4th gen I think the single biggest upgrade on 4runners is a Stainless brake line upgrade. Well over the 5th gen caliper change.

 

[07V8]

After completely re-doing the brakes on my 4th gen I think the single biggest upgrade on 4runners is a Stainless brake line upgrade. Well over the 5th gen caliper change.

Did you do them all or just the fronts? How did the feel change?

 

[Macallan]

Been happy with my stoptech pads, rotors: StopTech Brakes, Rotors & Pads - #1 Best Price on StopTech

for brake lines I have goodridge: Goodridge Brakes, Rotors & Pads - #1 Price on Goodridge

 

[bdp1978]

Did you do them all or just the fronts? How did the feel change?

Did new pads, rotors, calipers, and stainless lines on the front. New Pads and rotors on rear.

The stainless lines get rid of that 4runner soft pedal feel that seems to be common in all of them. Brings it up and you get immediate pressure.

 

[Rodtheviking]

Rock Auto

Power Stop Heavy Duty/Towing kit?


https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...eel+hub,caliper+/+rotor+/+brake+pad+kit,14204

 

[07V8]

Did new pads, rotors, calipers, and stainless lines on the front. New Pads and rotors on rear.

The stainless lines get rid of that 4runner soft pedal feel that seems to be common in all of them. Brings it up and you get immediate pressure.

Great to hear. How did you bleed them? Did you follow a specific procedure?

I currently get fantastic brake feel if I double tap prior to braking. The first initial press is soft with little feedback. Was yours similar?

 

[4runnerAzGuy]

Did new pads, rotors, calipers, and stainless lines on the front. New Pads and rotors on rear.

The stainless lines get rid of that 4runner soft pedal feel that seems to be common in all of them. Brings it up and you get immediate pressure.

I'll definitely do the stainless lines then. My truck definitely has that soft feel. I never really noticed it till I got my 15 Tacoma, I didn't realize it was a common issue people were having

 

[bdp1978]

Great to hear. How did you bleed them? Did you follow a specific procedure?

I currently get fantastic brake feel if I double tap prior to braking. The first initial press is soft with little feedback. Was yours similar?

Mine was exactly the same. Very soft....2 pumps to get it to come up etc. Its because the 1st pump expands the sh*tty soft brake lines...the 2nd pump gives you the pressure.


As far as bleeding if youre doing all 4 start at the passenger rear...you always start at the caliper farthest from the master cylinder.

Ive never had much luck with vacuum bleeders etc. I just find an appropriate sized broom handle etc, wrap a towel around the end that will contact the seat and do the pump, pump, pump, hold with broom handle and crack your bleeder until each caliper is done.

 

[Macallan]

http://4runnerclub.com/i/4r_files/fsm/ToyManuals-2007-4Runner/toyfsrm/07toyrm/07toypdf/07rmsour/4runnerr/03900210.pdf

Bleeding info

 

[techoguy]

Here's a great video describing the different rotor types and their benefits or disadvantages (slotted, drilled, etc.)
https://youtu.be/78wbht355R8

I used to think drilled/slotted rotors were better but after seeing this, I question their real benefits. Just something to consider.






Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[zidaro]

Mine was exactly the same. Very soft....2 pumps to get it to come up etc. Its because the 1st pump expands the sh*tty soft brake lines...the 2nd pump gives you the pressure.


As far as bleeding if youre doing all 4 start at the passenger rear...you always start at the caliper farthest from the master cylinder.

Ive never had much luck with vacuum bleeders etc. I just find an appropriate sized broom handle etc, wrap a towel around the end that will contact the seat and do the pump, pump, pump, hold with broom handle and crack your bleeder until each caliper is done.

So, not to rain on anyones parade. But this is incorrect for our 4runners /Toyotas with ABS systems.
Heres how i bleed my '10 tundra, 5th gen and 4th gen 4runners. Works perfect with a firm pedal first push. If your soft, you've still got air.

follow this- http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2455860-post76.html

 

[Macallan]

He's correct, here's the procedure from the toyota manual:

 

[paraordnance]

Rock Auto

Power Stop Heavy Duty/Towing kit?


https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...eel+hub,caliper+/+rotor+/+brake+pad+kit,14204

Yep. That's the best rotors I had pleasure to install on my 4Runner. They held up extremely well over the years and produce zero dust in package with ceramic pads from the kit. I upgraded to larger 338 mm rotors (because I was doing calipers swap, so why not) and breaking performance increased dramatically over OEM. I don't go to mud so cannot comment on that, but on road you will not be disappointed.

 

[leftyguns21]

I upgraded to the dimpled / slotted rotors on brakeperformance.com. love the look and feel of them so far. plus with the ceramic pads no dust. they are still a little soft but that has nothing to do with the rotors and pads. I got all 4 shipped for $330 including all new hardware.