Brakes, non-tundra upgrade question

[sakoluvr]

So, I know how popular the Tundra brake upgrade is with our 4-runners but here are a few questions.

Who has replaced their brakes with the stock parts and continued to be happy with that?

For real, are premature warped rotors inevitable, even with all factory replacement parts?

I have heard forum statements like "stock brakes are scary". Really? On an all stock runner with standard wheels/tires?

Thanks!

 

[jgue467]

12.5"

My rnr has the 12.5" rotors (larger ones that came on units w/265 tires), I replaced them w/drilled-slotted rotors, work much better than the warped ones I had before. What really make a difference was replacing the rear shoes too. After adjusting them per the FSM, now I realize my rear brakes were not really working much at all before, so I had lots of nose dive I thought was due to suspension. I could often hear the rear end lift and the 'clunk' of the rear end retracting after letting off the brakes.

Now that rarely happens and if it does it is much reduced compared to before, and virtually no nose diving now, woohoo! :banana:

 

[swampy_swimmer]

I just replaced mine, I think original rotors, that were warped and caused vibration and pulsating when brake off higher than 40mph. They had 113K on them. Replaced them with Centric rotors with cryogenic treatment and Centric posi quite ceramic pads, all matching OEM specs for 3rd Gen T4R. Didn't do much driving yet, just braking them in. But don't think they're "scary".

 

[sakoluvr]

Thanks. Anyone else stick with the stock size? Is Centric the way to go?

 

[jgue467]

I'd go with something that has a warranty and drilled, 3 yrs if you can get it. Make sure you get the right size, no fun having it all apart then realizing you have the wrong size rotors.

 

[JayRolla]

I was in the same boat as you. I installed new stock parts and I was happy. Or at least I thought I was. Then I finally did the tundra upgrade because one of my calipers where stuck. After the tundra upgrade I was kicking myself for not doing it in the first place. Its like a night and day difference. I feel a lot safer when driving now. I actually get scared of other vehicle brakes now when I drive them. My wifes expedition is huge and always out braked my 4runner. Now that doesnt happen anymore.

 

[TheDurk]

I've run stock brakes and wheels/tires for 15 years and 160k. Factory rotors and NAPA Premium pads (since 2007 @90k). I live in a hilly area (for NJ) but no mountains. The brakes are fine, but I'm sure they could be better. No 'warping' this whole time.

I ALWAYS hand-torque my lugs with a torque wrench to spec. I maintain my drums (still factory drums and shoes but I clean and regrease every two years) so I actually have four brakes. I also flush my fluid every two years and maintain my e-brake.

I can certainly see how they might be weak with oversized tires or in mountain driving but I have not seen any need to upgrade. I was on the GW bridge not long ago and a stack of orange cones fell off the the back of the truck in front of me. I had to panic stop at ~30 mph and was able to stop before hitting the cones. I was quite impressed with how well they did but it took a lot of leg force. I tend to go through the windshield of my son's BMW if I'm not careful to use a light foot.

My '97 HiLux in São Paulo Brazil was born with 15" wheels and I would use it in the nearby Serra de Mantiquera mountains. THAT needs an upgrade, but I don't get to drive it that often since I learned such a thing exists.

 

[Dee3]

I have tundras drilled and slotted on my lifted 98 with 285s and stock brakes on my 02. Mileage is twice as high on my 98, unsure how many are on the brakes but even with my 98 brake pads getting low, my stopping power and feel of the 4runner when braking is so much more in control with the tundra brakes.. I drove my 02 yesterday and was like damn, these brakes suck, Lol. My 02 is minty too, nothing wrong with the brakes, they just suck compared to the tundra upgrade

 

[flyinbrick]

I've always been puzzled by the need to upgrade - I've had my '96 for about a year and it stops great - granted I live in a flat area and don't do a lot of hilly driving. Note that this is my first truck - my previous vehicles were a BMW 330i and Miata. My only complaint is that the brakes are very non-linear. There is some dead travel, then boom, the brakes grab. This drives me crazy since it throws off my heel and toe. My adjusters work great so I don't know what the issue is.

 

[Raised By GTA]

I've always been puzzled by the need to upgrade - I've had my '96 for about a year and it stops great - granted I live in a flat area and don't do a lot of hilly driving. Note that this is my first truck - my previous vehicles were a BMW 330i and Miata. My only complaint is that the brakes are very non-linear. There is some dead travel, then boom, the brakes grab. This drives me crazy since it throws off my heel and toe. My adjusters work great so I don't know what the issue is.

I've only had my truck for a few months but I have had the same experience. I slowly push the brake petal and very little happens, I push it a bit more and boom, nose dive. Everyone that his driven it has had the same experience. I will probably get the Tundra brakes when it comes time to replace them.

 

[flyinbrick]

In case you're thinking to fix the dead travel with the tundra upgrade, I actually think the dead travel is due to the rear brakes. On my truck, there seems to be less dead travel with the handbrake pulled up a few clicks so I suspect there is too much distance between the shoes and drums. The rear auto-adjusters should pull the shoes close to the drums and they seem to be working fine on my truck, so I suspect the drums are worn. The drums have a noticeable groove on the inside from the shoes and when I manually adjust the shoes closer to the drums, the shoes won't clear the lip of the drums. I'm going to measure the drums this weekend and perhaps replace them if they are out of spec - hopefully, that's the fix.