Hard to find Specs, Info & Measurements on 231mm 13WL Tundra Calipers & Rotors

The first post states the pads on the 13WL are "5-5/16"(or 231mm) in length".

Truth is, 231mm is equal to 9.094 inches.

Anyone know why the 13WL calipers are referred to as "231"?
Referring to a caliper by the brake pad length instead of the caliper indetifier cast into it is just silly. To not even be halfway close with the conversion, and then having people just go along with it for years is mind boggling.

Am I just full-blown retarded?

Disclaimer:
I know BFAD is not the originator of the "231" reference.
 
Good catch, Tyler. I never took the time to double check the metric to standard conversion of the pad measurements cited in the quoted paragraph.

The 231mm and 199mm designations refer to the size of the pads used in the respective setups, not to the calipers themselves.

My guess is that the measurement refers to the total length of the pad surface area per corner (both pads), not the measurements of the backing plate as the quote in question alludes. I don't have a set of pads on hand to measure, and I'm not going to tear into my 4Runner to find out, so that's all I've got for now.

IMO, 231mm versus 199mm as a set of reference terms is a lot harder to misread / mix up than the 13WL versus S13WM designations.
 
so i'm a little daft sometimes and although i've looked at the "yes will work" and "no won't work" pictures, can someone confirm the 99 limited wheels WON'T work with the 13WL's and that i NEED spacers?
 
Oh damn [MENTION=44220]BigFishAllDay[/MENTION] !
Although a crazy way to refer to a caliper, I think you nailed it!
That would add up just right, so I'm sure you're correct on that. Cool. Now I can finally sleep at night.
 
so i'm a little daft sometimes and although i've looked at the "yes will work" and "no won't work" pictures, can someone confirm the 99 limited wheels WON'T work with the 13WL's and that i NEED spacers?

The '99 Limited "star" wheels will work with the 231 size and the 13WL's. You will need to trim the dust shield, but otherwise they fit great.

Source: I have the 231 TBU on my '99 Limited.
 
Just got my TBU done yesterday. Was worried the TRD wheels off a 2017 Tacoma wouldn't fit but they did. I've included the pic for reference. Also purchase the calipers on eBay for 150, the larger 231mm calipers. Got some Wagner rotors and pads on rockauto. The braking is tons better highly recommend.
 

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Tundra Brake Upgrade...caliper bolts

Hi, I'm finally getting around to upgrade my 98 4R to the 231 brakes! I dry fitted the calipers to trim the dust shield and check the rim clearance. I confirmed the TRD 'snowflakes' will clear as stated. I got a nice 5pc set for $240! - However, the stock caliper bolts bottom out and it leaves a gap between the caliper and bolt head. I measured the mounting ears on the stock 4R calipers and they measure 19.5mm the Tundra WL caliper measures 13.5mm! anyone else have this issue? Can I just use washers?? Trim down the bolts?? Are the threads supposed to be tapped through?? Big Fish seemed to have more engagement and get his to stick through, mine will not and I am sure I will damage the bolts if I try. I want to make sure I get the proper thread engagement and still be able to meet the recommended torque specs. - Any Thoughts?? - Thanks!
 

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Are the threads supposed to be tapped through?? Big Fish seemed to have more engagement and get his to stick through, mine will not and I am sure I will damage the bolts if I try.

The threads are tapped through from the factory. How much torque are you putting on it that you think you'll break the bolt? Set your torque wrench to the proper torque and go until it clicks. I'm betting that sends them home.
 
OK...solved my own problem. Once I took the rotor off i was able to wire brush the threads from the back side. There was a lot of rust scale in the last few threads. Then I screwed in a bolt from the back side with some good ole' WD40 and sacrificed it to chase the threads. Worked like a champ! I'll have to replace one bolt but they tighten up nicely now. Thanks for the help though! :thumb3:
 
I read through the first 10 pages or so, 40 posts per page, of this really well done writeup and crowd sourcing of info about pad p/n's, wheel fitment, etc and did not see any mention of fitment on a Tacoma PreRunner 2003. I remember one member posting that he was going to do this on his Tacoma but I don't think he said what year or any follow up if it was successful without changes. It seems that everything would bolt up fine but I am unsure about hub location with respect to the caliper mounting bosses and if this will effect wheel clearance in any way. I am unsure about brake line location and compatibility. Since my Tacoma has 277k on the OEM brake lines, I plan to replace them with new SS lines. If necessary, changing the line to a tundra p/n would be nice to know.

Also, I had thought about the possibility of converting the rear drum brakes to disc. If anyone knows if this is reasonably simple to do or where info about it might be, I'd be grateful. Thanks.

Edit: google turned up a bunch of info about the tacoma drum to disc conversion but if anyone has anything to add, please do!
 
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Nelsonmd - Do you personally know of the brake install pictured? I have the same flex line with banjo fitting on my Tacoma and was originally planning to just order 4Runner/Tundra brake lines but have found that it is not that simple. So my question is was any modification or dressing of the seal bearing face on the caliper required to get a leak free connection? Thanks for any info you might have.
 
[MENTION=164671]GrundleJuice[/MENTION] people have said that the braided SS lines for a Tacoma from Wheelers Offroad bolt on with no modification necessary, since you're concerned about the length differences. Otherwise, you just clearance the stock banjo bolt with a drill bit. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-banjo-bolt-with-tundra-brake-upgrade.120871/

Twan, Thanks for the reply. I just came across a mention of Wheeler's having a brake line that will bolt straight on without mods but I couldn't find anything on their website besides replacement SS lines that appear to have the same banjo fitting as the oem. I sent them an email inquiry just now.
 
I have the rubber line going to a fitting and then to a metal line which bolts to the caliper on my 96. Ran the metal line still when I did the 231 swap. Ordered some Wheelers front lines yesterday as I was happy with their rear and they should be here in a few days. I can let you know how they come in the package.
 
231 upgrade and ABS

After reading all the great info Big Fish has provided for doing this upgrade I purchased all the parts and I'm ready to complete my install. However, I've seen some posts about the ABS system malfunctioning after the 231 upgrade but I'm not exactly sure what that means. Some have complained the ABS kicks in when they hit a bump, mine does that with the stock equipment, but I still feel it works correctly. It has even kept me from wrecking my ride on at least two occasions while driving on snow and ice. I'm in NY and we tend to get a lot of snow at times so i don't want to loose the ABS. Can anyone confirm that the ABS system still works after the 231 upgrade?? Would the 199 have been a better choice?:ybrick:
 
My ABS works better after the 231 TBU. I just got back from a really well known trail a few minutes ago. With stock brakes they would lock up and ABS pulse on a few downhill sections. It was annoying as hell. With the TBU I only noticed 2 very short duration ABS pulses. By the bottom of the trail stock brakes started to fade pretty bad. With the 231 TBU I didn't feel or notice much fade at all.
 
Well that's positive news...I spent some decent coin on this and started to second guess it. I painted the calipers too and was just about to try and strip them down in case I wanted to return them for the 199s. The calipers are remans but everything else I bought is OEM. How is it on wet pavement? Or with sudden stops? You experience any issues? I have a 1998 but from what I've read I think the ABS problem was more common on the later 3rd gens with the upgrade, 99s and up. Guess I'm gonna find out soon enough...
 

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