Brakes...worth the Tundra upgrade?

[HiLife]

Im running stock tires 265 75 16 on 5 star rims and roll on very flat terrain.
The stock brakes were fine for 30k with the tires. Then I started to get heavy brake pulsation upon braking due to warp rotors. I didn't rebuild the stock brakes.
I rebuilt a set of junkyard Sequoia 231mm calipers myself using a toyota caliper kit and been happy with great braking every since.
Braking in wet weather is another thing to consider. My ABS will kick in during short stops. There were scary moments. Other members solve this by disabling the ABS. I solve this by braking way in advance when the roads are wet.

 

[gamefreakgc]

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.

The problems are people not bedding the brakes or bleeding the lines correctly. There's no issue with fitment or with the Tundra parts themselves. I say that because I try to respond back with proper bleeding techniques from the FSM when I see those threads pop up as they are noticing a "soft pedal", which is air in the brake lines.

It is a very simple conversion, there's only about 4 bolts holding it all on. As long as you take your time with re-assembly and bleed them properly it's fine.

 

[Scramble]

The problems are people not bedding the brakes or bleeding the lines correctly. There's no issue with fitment or with the Tundra parts themselves. I say that because I try to respond back with proper bleeding techniques from the FSM when I see those threads pop up as they are noticing a "soft pedal", which is air in the brake lines.

It is a very simple conversion, there's only about 4 bolts holding it all on. As long as you take your time with re-assembly and bleed them properly it's fine.

Agreed, I've been running the 231's for almost a year & have had no issues.
ABS worked as it should all through the winter snow.

 

[bmodo16]

Got this kit on Amazon and run 265/75R16 with the split 3-spoke wheels and added wheel spacers all around. It DRASTICALLY improved exiting the highway.

 

[fightman80]

I cheaped out a few years ago when I replaced my front brakes on my rig... really wishing I hadn't now... lol!

 

[Jungoes]

^^ i hear yah fightman, i went through 2 sets of certified rotors from crappy tire and then just spent the $500 all in to get the calipers pads and rotors.. got the cross drilled and slotted ones and they have been really great.
I still get some vibration when stopping but it feels different from the pulsing i used to get with the stock brakes. checked the pads recently and the rotors and they are wearing really even and no hot stamping i used to get ( Even with proper braking ) ..still no regrets in getting them

 

[mendozer]

ok so with proper bleeding (which seems obvious to do anyways) no other mods are needed like a new MC or anything?

And if I got 1/4" spacers, might as well put them on all four just in case of the weird size difference right? Although either way my spare is a different size.

 

[mendozer]

What's a good wheel spacer since we're on that topic too

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[bootheel]

Been kicking this upgrade option around for awhile and now the time has come for brakes. One question that keeps coming to mind is that are the front brakes actually undersized for these rigs? Or, could it possibly be that the rear shoes fall out of adjustment over time and stress the front more than it was designed for?

 

[JMike46]

ITS WORTH IT!!! I live in Utah where there are a ton of elevation changes not to mention I'm hard on my truck off-road. I did the powerstop kit and love it. No more brake fade, no more overheated warped rotors, and install was simple.

 

[Snowden]

What's a good wheel spacer since we're on that topic too

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Spidertrax 1.25" . Very pleased with mine and yes I do off-road. Only change I would make is to order them in black (instead of blue) which I notice they are now available in.

 

[mendozer]

I may buy one spacer then for the spare. Don't really want to buy a bigger wheel. My spare will be only one size smaller on the sidewall height

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[Lefty JD]

100% WORTH IT!
I did 231's about 4 years ago. I had warped the second set of factory sized parts store "lifetime" rotors in a year. Once you gather the parts, the install is no more complex than just removing and replacing with new stock components.
Yes, you trim the backing plate a tiny bit-its a thin piece of sheetmetal that you can cut with tin snips or a dremel cutoff wheel even!
I used the thermaquiet (or something close to that?) pads that are recommended on several of the how-to threads. Vastly improved stopping distance, fade resistance and no more warped rotors. I think it cost me maybe $2-300 total? When you price out new replacement rotors,rebuilt calipers and pads the price is basically negligible.

I daily drive my 4R all winter, and play in the Sierra Nevada's all summer. Often towing a small open dirt bike trailer, maybe 1,200 pounds loaded up for a camping trip. Stock brakes always felt marginally up to the task, with 231's even with the trailer I have more stopping power than the stock setup w/o trailer. People who drive it always comment "man this thing has really good brakes". My stock 5 star wheels fit with no spacers or grinding. No need for a new master cyl either-as previously said, bleed and bed them right and go! Pads seem to last a lot longer now, too.

I never checked if the spare steel wheel fit, I just picked up a 5th factory wheel from the junkyard for $20.
My only regret is wasting time and money on factory pads and rotors before making the swap.

 

[mendozer]

On second thought, I might just buy a set of these

Snowflake Tacoma wheels, 16x7. BFAD's thread states it's a comparably fit over the TBU. I can then use my best looking 5 star wheel as my spare. No spacers needed.

I can get them for about 125 for 4, which is why I'm considering it. Plus...they look sweet. Will those Tacoma 16x7 wheels fit my yet to be installed 265/75/16 (32s)?

I can't easily find that information.

 

[mendozer]

nvm I found a thread on tacoworld showing someone with these wheels running the exact same tire size. Also the taco stock is 265/70/16 as well, so the same sidewall difference should be fine.

 

[Unner]

Yes, you can run 265/75/16 on those wheels. My dad did so for years on his Tacoma before he moved up to a 17" wheel.

 

[mendozer]

OK awesome, I'm gonna try that route if I can lock down those wheels. I think I'll do the Powerstop kit vs OEM since my car's 14 years old and people seem to like the Powerstops.

 

[gamefreakgc]

On second thought, I might just buy a set of these

Snowflake Tacoma wheels, 16x7. BFAD's thread states it's a comparably fit over the TBU. I can then use my best looking 5 star wheel as my spare. No spacers needed.

I can get them for about 125 for 4, which is why I'm considering it. Plus...they look sweet. Will those Tacoma 16x7 wheels fit my yet to be installed 265/75/16 (32s)?

I can't easily find that information.

I have the Tacoma TRD wheels on there now and like them. I have stock tires. But they do most definitely clear the Tundra calipers.

 

[hounddogman]

Yes , you can run those Tacoma wheels but be aware that they have a 5.25" backspaceing . Stock 4runner wheels are 4.62 .The overall track width will be 1.25 narrower with the Tacoma wheels .

 

[poleclimber63]

It's worth it...

You already have 5 stars which fit over the 231s. BFAD says it and my Summers are on the exact rims. I did the tbu over a yr ago and love it. If you're on a budget, I got my parts from a wrecker, and $15 a side for a rebuild kit, new pads and a can of red paint. If youre worried about the spare, get the 1/4" rim spacer for the spare. So if youre going to do the upgrade, there is no advantage to the 199 over the 231, infact, the 13wl rotor is more plentiful. If you're into rims changes, look for Tundra or Sequioa rims, I found some for $175, for my Winters, and re-finished them. The 265 65 17 are the same diameter as the 265 70 16 but if you're looking for greater height (greater dia) stick to the 16s and go for 265 75 16. I don't really care about height, as I drive mountains and valleys and tow, rather than off-road a lot. For me, the brakes were a vast improvement---- no more brake fade on mountain passes!