Front brake size comparison

[sharp4runr]

Oh...I see your reasoning. Perhaps you should have your SE outfitted for 14" brakes. Then, you'll gain 6 feet of stopping distance! After all, you might need an extra foot in the "real world"

Scoff as may, you've got brake size envy... :tongue:

 

[bluewolf]

Scoff as may, you've got brake size envy... :tongue:

Ha!! it's not the size that counts, it's how you work the pedal!

 

[sharp4runr]

Well, I don't need ABS or other electronics to make my "pedal" pulsate...

 

[Thai]

Bigger brakes are mainly to reduce brake fade.

If your braking system provide enough pressure for ABS to work, then it does not really matter what size brakes you have. Raw braking distance is more about tire contact patch and weight distribution than brake size (or cross-drilled, slotted, etc.).

So if you were to compare a SR5 vs. Sport Ed. (considering everything else equal, like tire size and suspension) on a ONE-time brake contest, then the result would be the same. However, if you were to test them after 5 panic stops, then the Sport Ed. will come out on top.

Bigger brakes = better fade resistance = good for towing/off-roading where ATRAC has to work often.

 

[sharp4runr]

You mean even with a bigger brake pad area contacting the brake disc, it'll have the same results? Doesn't seem right to me...

 

[Thai]

As long as the brake system can clamp enough force to activate ABS system, the braking distance on the FIRST stop should be very similar (if not the same). Once ABS turns ON, then the other factors are not as important.

 

[Kanab]

For what it's worth my dealer parts "women" said that the SR5, limited, and SE use the same pad. I ask her about the disk and she said she did not see a difference but the computer didn't tell her the size. Like I said not worth much she doesn't know a oil filter from a lamb chop. God I hate dealing with these dumb ass's. What really scars you is if you needed to replace your disc's you never know what part the parts people would send out to the mechanic to install. That is part of the reason I want to know everything I can about my 4runner so I can direct the dealer and the parts department. So my question is if the pads are the same is it just the rotors that are different of are the calipers also different?

 

[TechWrench]

For what it's worth my dealer parts "women" said that the SR5, limited, and SE use the same pad. I ask her about the disk and she said she did not see a difference but the computer didn't tell her the size. Like I said not worth much she doesn't know a oil filter from a lamb chop. God I hate dealing with these dumb ass's. What really scars you is if you needed to replace your disc's you never know what part the parts people would send out to the mechanic to install. That is part of the reason I want to know everything I can about my 4runner so I can direct the dealer and the parts department. So my question is if the pads are the same is it just the rotors that are different of are the calipers also different?

If, in fact the pads are the same, then the caliper would at the least have to be mounted out a little further in order to clear the larger diameter rotor. I suppose they could do this in one of two ways, either move the mounting point the caliper bolts to or change the caliper frame so it sits out more.

 

[Kanab]

Anybody have a service manual that can shed some light on this?

 

[rensho]

Also consider that the GX is heavier, and will benefit from larger brakes.

 

[kimboy]

The SE gets the same brake pads as the SR5 and Limited. I wonder if the Lexus pads are ceramic and if they fit on our vehicles.

 

[Fro-Runner]

If what you folks say here is true about the brake pads fitting all styles of the 4 Runner; then I am wondering if I could just order the larger rotor for my SR5 for a direct fit! I already have the 17' rims and the rotors should fit without any problems.

 

[SWUtah]

See this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2480

As for the LX, the disc brake size has remained the same from 1998 to 2004. Despite this, the LX470 has very short braking distance for a SUV, on par with the 4runner/GX470. Why?? Well, it's tire contact patch is larger, which is the main component of braking distance. The LX uses 275-width tires, compared with 265-width for other Toyota SUVs. The LX is heavier, so that offsets it's bigger tire patch. Basically, the LX is able to stop the same distance as GX because it's wider tires and heavier weight, both of which offsets each other.

The other minor factors: weight distribution, number of pistons & size of caliper on each brake system, suspension (anti-dive) characteristics, etc.. As for weight distribution, EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) supposed to help this.

Now, FADE is where the LX may have a slight disadvantage when compared to GX/4runner Sport because it has smaller discs. This may be noticeable when towing a heavy load. However, caliper size may be larger in the LX, which would offset this.

As for Sport vs. Limited 4runners, see the thread above.

Just wondering if you replaced the 275/70/16 passenger tires that the put on the LC/LX's from 98-02 with 265/75/16 LT tires you would still have the same contact patch based on the aspect ratio? Might be a different shape but the same amount of rubber on the road?? What do you tire experts think?

 

[artspeed]

IIRC, the calipers looked different as well.

Calipers have slightly elongated attachment arms to accomodate for larger rotors. Rest is the same. I'm trying to upgrade to 13.3" rotors on my '03 Limited. Has anyone done this before? Any tips?

 

[knightrider]

Hey guys thought I'd add some info here on this one.

Do 2 weeks ago I bought a full set of bfg rugged trail 275/70r16 and TT TRD rims from some one. So I swapped them to my 06 sport tr4. Well the front didn't fit due to the size of the rotors and calipers. Since I paid hardly nothing for the rims and tires I I removed the caliper and rotor and went down to advance and did a comparison of the Sr5 and mine. You all are right about the sizes so I bought Sr5 calipers and rotors. Sure enough the rotors fit and the calipers bolted right up. I compared everything and here's what I found. Obvisously you all know the rotors are .7" smaller. The calipers pistons are identical except the 2 main bolts are are shorter distantce to allow the smaller rotor. Also Toyotas part number for the pads between the se and Sr5 are the same and sure enough the se pads are the same size as the Sr5. So I installed the Sr5 rotors and calipers to allow the 16" rims. I did this so I can get true trd rims w/o fitting issues since most are 16"

To retro or modify fit Sr5 rotors and calipers on a sport, all you have to do it trim some of the brake dust shield to allow the rotor to bolt up.

I hope this helps anyone !!!!

 

[knightrider]

Oh I didn't notice any difference in the braking . Also the existing brake line doesn't need any modifying to fit on the Sr5 calipers.

 

[miglodesh]

Hey guys thought I'd add some info here on this one.

Do 2 weeks ago I bought a full set of bfg rugged trail 275/70r16 and TT TRD rims from some one. So I swapped them to my 06 sport tr4. Well the front didn't fit due to the size of the rotors and calipers. Since I paid hardly nothing for the rims and tires I I removed the caliper and rotor and went down to advance and did a comparison of the Sr5 and mine. You all are right about the sizes so I bought Sr5 calipers and rotors. Sure enough the rotors fit and the calipers bolted right up. I compared everything and here's what I found. Obvisously you all know the rotors are .7" smaller. The calipers pistons are identical except the 2 main bolts are are shorter distantce to allow the smaller rotor. Also Toyotas part number for the pads between the se and Sr5 are the same and sure enough the se pads are the same size as the Sr5. So I installed the Sr5 rotors and calipers to allow the 16" rims. I did this so I can get true trd rims w/o fitting issues since most are 16"

To retro or modify fit Sr5 rotors and calipers on a sport, all you have to do it trim some of the brake dust shield to allow the rotor to bolt up.

I hope this helps anyone !!!!

Hey there, I'm a new member on the forum, and as such restricted from startin a new thread. :nicethread: Mining through some of these wheels and brakes threads and this is the closest comment I have found to my current query. I have a 2008 4runner SR5, and recently installed 16" TRD wheels from a 2017 Tacoma (link to the best representation I could find: Replikaz(R) ALY75189U30N - 6-Slot Dark Gray with Machined Face 16x7 Alloy Factory Wheel - Replica). I was concerned with how close the calipers were to the inside of the rim, but after shining a light from behind each wheel and seeing clearance (maybe 1/4"??) and slowly coasted around the block without hearing any rubbing, I decided to leave them on and go with it. Happy with the result, but the thought remains if I'm taking a risk of damage/long term wear. Curious if the calipers can be downsized? Or if I'm just working with minimum safe clearance?
Any insight is helpful to a newly engaged 4runner owner. 201k and I'm thinking I can continue to take care of it and keep cruising.
Thanks!

 

[AuSeeker]

Hey there, I'm a new member on the forum, and as such restricted from startin a new thread. :nicethread: Mining through some of these wheels and brakes threads and this is the closest comment I have found to my current query. I have a 2008 4runner SR5, and recently installed 16" TRD wheels from a 2017 Tacoma (link to the best representation I could find: Replikaz(R) ALY75189U30N - 6-Slot Dark Gray with Machined Face 16x7 Alloy Factory Wheel - Replica). I was concerned with how close the calipers were to the inside of the rim, but after shining a light from behind each wheel and seeing clearance (maybe 1/4"??) and slowly coasted around the block without hearing any rubbing, I decided to leave them on and go with it. Happy with the result, but the thought remains if I'm taking a risk of damage/long term wear. Curious if the calipers can be downsized? Or if I'm just working with minimum safe clearance?
Any insight is helpful to a newly engaged 4runner owner. 201k and I'm thinking I can continue to take care of it and keep cruising.
Thanks!

If you have 1/4' clearance you will be fine, if your wheel moves that much and rubs the caliper then you have other problems, such as bad wheel bearings, but even then they would have to be REALLY REALLY bad to move 1/4".