Brakes...worth the Tundra upgrade?

[mendozer]

My brakes are on the way out. Either gonna get new pads (less $$$) or do the Tundra upgrade (more $$$). Just curious since it is popular, do I absolutely HAVE to go up to the 231s? I have the stock 5 spoke 16" rims so they'll fit according to Big Fish All Day's page on this.

I was looking at RockAuto today and they have the full Tundra kit for $270. This is the Power Stop Z23 kit with rotors, calipers, pads, etc.

Anyone hear good things about these vs OEM?

 

[BBarnhouse]

You can junk yard it all, rebuild the calipers super easy and cheap like 15 bucks for rebuild kit, I paid 12 bucks for both calipers a few months back, then I found rotors at different junk yard that were really nice, had them re turned at Napa and I think I'm into my TBU for under 60 bucks total....including brake fluid and paper towels haha

 

[mendozer]

Another thing I wanted to know was whether the tundra 199s are better than the stock 4runner. In the rare event I need to change a tire, I don't want the spare tire to not fit over the 231s. I read that the stock spares are smaller rims. I don't actually know if my spare is stock though..

 

[BBarnhouse]

I'm gonna say the 199's are better, as far as stopping, less warping than t4r stock, I never thought about the whole spare tire situation, but you could always move a rear tire/wheel to the front and run the spare in the rear in the event that you do get a front flat. Maybe others with more knowledge on the 199's pro's/con's will chime in tomorrow, I'm not an expert by any means but hope it helps ya! Lol

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Another thing I wanted to know was whether the tundra 199s are better than the stock 4runner. In the rare event I need to change a tire, I don't want the spare tire to not fit over the 231s. I read that the stock spares are smaller rims. I don't actually know if my spare is stock though..

I'm pretty sure my steel spare won't fit the tundra calipers. I'm considering putting a spare matching wheel underneath as the spare.

These are my wheels and I have the calipers high spot ground down to clear these wheels with no modification or grinding on the wheel.


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[s20004runner]

231s

yes and yes, the best upgrade on a 3rd gen.

go find a spare from a limited or go find a limited rim 6 spoke i think.

 

[Rock_Rat]

x2 ^^^^^ BEST "mod" you'll ever do coupled with SS brake lines.

 

[frodiesel]

I'm pretty sure my steel spare won't fit the tundra calipers. I'm considering putting a spare matching wheel underneath as the spare.

These are my wheels and I have the calipers high spot ground down to clear these wheels with no modification or grinding on the wheel.


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You can toss a wheel spacer in the back just incase you want to change to the spare, but i call AAA even tho i have a truck full of tools. I ground a bit on the stock wheels. Fits my 231upgrade just fine. Just plan to adjust the rear brakes too

 

[I_bRAD]

I'm going to go against the grain and say if you don't tow a trailer, or have oversized tires, then there's no reason to change to Tundra brakes.

Curious if any of the folks who recommend this are running stock tire size. I run 265/75 and occasionally tow a light tent trailer or utility trailer (<2500 lb) and I've never had an issue with the stock braking system.

 

[LittleCaesar]

If I had not used my 4runner to tow my boats for two summers then I would not have put the Tundra brakes on.

If you tow and/or do a good bit of off road exploring, then by all means.

 

[theesotericone]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say, YES. But that might be because I have the Powerstop Kit sitting on my garage floor waiting for me to install it. lol

 

[Cadaverous]

Yes it's worth it. Yes 5 spoke wheels fit over them.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

I'm going to go against the grain and say if you don't tow a trailer, or have oversized tires, then there's no reason to change to Tundra brakes.

Curious if any of the folks who recommend this are running stock tire size. I run 265/75 and occasionally tow a light tent trailer or utility trailer (<2500 lb) and I've never had an issue with the stock braking system.

Same here. My rig's got no armour and I never tow. So aside from 285/75R16 tires, it's pretty much basic duty with my T4R. I also have the Limited which does have the slightly larger brakes to begin with. I never felt the need to do the TBU.

 

[jmferg]

I did the power stop TBU and was very impressed minus some noises and the dust

If you upsize tires, especially to an e load, this is a crucial upgrade


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[gamefreakgc]

I'm gonna say the 199's are better, as far as stopping, less warping than t4r stock, I never thought about the whole spare tire situation, but you could always move a rear tire/wheel to the front and run the spare in the rear in the event that you do get a front flat. Maybe others with more knowledge on the 199's pro's/con's will chime in tomorrow, I'm not an expert by any means but hope it helps ya! Lol

I bought some simple 1/4" wheel spacers for this situation, it's enough to clear the calipers with them on. But just moving the tires around works too.

I'm going to go against the grain and say if you don't tow a trailer, or have oversized tires, then there's no reason to change to Tundra brakes.

Curious if any of the folks who recommend this are running stock tire size. I run 265/75 and occasionally tow a light tent trailer or utility trailer (<2500 lb) and I've never had an issue with the stock braking system.

Yup, stock tires size here.

I don't don't tow either but did it because I was having trouble stopping on hills or highways situations when I needed to stop very fast. Had a few times when ABS would kick in too.

The Tundra brake upgrade greatly improved my stopping distance. New tires a few years later took care of my ABS issues.

 

[mtbtim]

Here's a video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] I made of this upgrade that might help you out.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P8zy-j4UBUo?list=PLPMpPriBUyJC_aXG6cIRhjv6w4heeIZJ6" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[mendozer]

I do enter nasty roads for hunting. I am running 32s or going to be soon. I can probably find a wheel for it then. Idk about grinding the caliper down. If I have a spacer and run the spare it'll be fine on the front end? I mean the tires will be slightly off too. Stock tires on spare and the slightly bigger 32 on others

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[atalarico]

OP is in Seattle, so mountain passes are a thing. I recently upgraded to the 199s and I couldn't be happier. Even decent Brembo rotors would warp after a year or so of mountain driving here in Colorado.

If that's not an issue for you, I'd say just stick to stock and use some nice components instead. The Brembos did way better than the cheap rotors I used before them.

 

[reelamin]

I run mine in the hills (most call mountains) a lot with no towing. Never once have I had a brake issue. Compared the potential for problems and more work. (search it as a lot of people have issues).

I would do ONLY IF....I had to have a brake upgrade because I actually experienced a problem with good stock brakes and I am going to continue to have the need because the problem will re-occur.

Otherwise other than to say you did it and get the experience...not really a reason to do it.

 

[CatchM3]

I would definitely recommend this. I just finished my tundra brake upgrade a week ago. i used the 13wl calipers. Big improvement over the stock brakes. I have the same wheels as you, however I'm running 1.25" spacers for my tires.