How To: Upgrading to Sport Brakes (319 to 338mm)

Actually, as long as we are splitting hairs here, the Richter scale is a base 10 logarithmic scale which means that a 2.0 is 10x as powerful as a 1.0. Additionally, if you guys really want to end the argument over bigger brakes all you have to do is look at the equation for torque, torque=(length of lever arm) x (Force applied)(Sin theta). Since the angle relative to the lever arm is perpendicular in both case you can ignore the Sin theta portion. This shows that changing the length of the lever arm to 338mm from 319mm will increase stopping power by 5.9%. (338/319)=1.0595. So, it certainly does increase stopping power. The question is, is it enough to worry about?

It must be a big enough difference that Toyota designed bigger parts and used them, vs using the same brakes on all models. I'm sure in there bottom line there was a price difference.
 
Did the SR5 V8's come with the larger brake set-up. I can't seem to find the identifying letters/numbers on my calipers.

Have to say; when when I need to stop it does it really well.

I have noticed that when I actuate the brakes suddenly (like when I've just noticed that I'm about to miss an exit), its like the computer decides that I need to stop really fast and does this brake assist thing; puts them right on the edge for maximum braking effect. Never experienced that before in any other vehicle.

The identifying characters will be on the back of the caliper. I think its mostly the sports that have them. I have the sport based urban runner package and it has them.
 
Yes. All Sports have them and you could pick it on the Limited Trim. My understanding is that no SR5 package had the option.

As for the enhanced stopping power. Meh? The brake pads (the all important part that does the actual stopping) is the same for all models. The calipers are different to accommodate larger rotor, but the pads are the same. So, the surface area is larger on the Sport rotors, which probably means enhanced heat diffusion. This means you can hold that aggressive stopping longer without doing any harm to the rotors, but in a jam; as in an emergency stopping situation, you should get the same response from them all.

At least that is how I see it. Without larger brake pads, which the sports do not have, I simply see the larger rotors as being more robust and allowing for a longer history of aggressive stopping. The actual X ability to grab the rotor is determined by the foot print of the pad. Unless the sport calipers are built differently (say, able to physically exert more force), my brain tells me that they should perform similar, but that aggressive stopping in the sr5 will lead to more rotor problems.

This is, of course, my take and not fact.
 
The calipers are different also, I don't know if they apply any more or less force on the pads (which are the same between models as was stated) I would think though that the sport rotors offer more material for heat to dissipate through and offer slightly better thermal properties? It might not be much, but obviously enough for Toyota to put the money and effort to make new tooling, dies, and castings for a separate brake system.
 
sounds like an easy diy...am sorely tempted to try this out..about ordeing calipers and rotors from napa......seems the only big challenge is removing the back plate?....trimming it a lil should work, but wont it let in dust and other debris that it was supzd to keep out?
 
The two tone leather is aftermarket - Toyota didn't do anything two tone. Might be something like Clazzio's

My 2008 UrbanRunner has two tone leather/alcantara seats from the factory. Question is what rotors and calipers do I have. It has limited wheels with the Xreas suspension. I assume I have the sport model brakes, going to check now.

17 on the back of the calipers. I could barely make it out because of the rust. With 80k miles, probably wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the calipers as well.
 
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My 2008 UrbanRunner has two tone leather/alcantara seats from the factory. Question is what rotors and calipers do I have. It has limited wheels with the Xreas suspension. I assume I have the sport model brakes, going to check now.

17 on the back of the calipers. I could barely make it out because of the rust. With 80k miles, probably wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the calipers as well.

Urban runners are based off of the sport model, we have the larger brakes.
 
IMAG0431.jpg~original


Front rotor before throwing the tire on.

IMAG0487.jpg~original


Rear

I have this nagging feeling that I forgot something. Gonna start bedding the brakes tmw morning.
 
My SR5 left front caliper froze at 90k and when I redid the brakes, I upgraded calipers, rotors to the bigger 338mm sport spec. Amazon had a great deal on cross-drilled rotors and pads for front and back ($300 for all 4) and I picked up all new hardware from autozone. Yes, I had to bend back the backing plates/dust shields in the front.

Worthy upgrade for anyone who needs new calipers.
 
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Just wanted to say thanks for the guide. Super easy and worked great. Saved me from rear-ending someone (even though I ended up getting rear-ended myself).
 
I upgraded my wifes sport with front drilled and slotted rotors and it made a huge difference. when I bought my '03 v8 the brakes were shot,so I done them all around with new pads,amazing braking now.
 
I know physics and I also know reality. I know there is such thing as a 1.0 earthquake on the Richter scale and a 2.0 is 1000 times stronger, but you won't feel either. The difference between the two rotors is miniscule and you are not going to notice the difference.

I know this is a very old thread, but I need to correct this misinformation.

I won't bother with the misstatement regarding the Richter scale, but I will say that the difference between the two rotor sizes is definitely not miniscule. If you had calculated the surface area provided by the extra 19mm of diameter you would know this:

Surface area of 319mm standard rotors = 123.8 sq inches
Surface area of 338mm sport rotors = 139.1 sq inches

This is a difference of 15.2 sq inches, which is a 12.3% increase in swept braking area. Also there is greater mass (larger heat sink) which decreases brake fade. Heat is the number one enemy of brake efficiency. Larger rotors will provide lower peak temperatures and longer wear cycles between brake pad changes (lower maintenance costs), as well as significantly better braking ability. All this in addition to the larger rotor giving the brake pad greater leverage and efficiency. So you can see that the larger rotors give advantages on several levels.

The Sport brake upgrade is not miniscule and is absolutely worth doing.
 
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Holy thread resuscitation Batman!!

So I found y’all by doing a simple Google search for the brake upgrade on my 2003 2WD SR5 4.7L 220k+ miles on it.

I’ve owned this since new... all I can say is wow!! I have worked for SET for almost 23 years and have ALWAYS used genuine Toyota pads and rotors due to my huge discounts on parts. This “upgrade” is noticeably. Let the naysayers say... I’m here to say it works! [MENTION=83379]Asto[/MENTION] thank you for the part number info. I did a mixture of Advanced calipers and Power Stop pass and rotors.


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Hey thanks for this information. Question: I have a 2007 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD and upgraded brakes from the 319mm to 338mm. I am needing to find some 13WH- 13.3"/338mm calipers for the front. Do I need to get new calipers in the rear as well?? The stock ones seem to fit fine but want to double check.
 
Hey thanks for this information. Question: I have a 2007 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD and upgraded brakes from the 319mm to 338mm. I am needing to find some 13WH- 13.3"/338mm calipers for the front. Do I need to get new calipers in the rear as well?? The stock ones seem to fit fine but want to double check.



I have successfully upgraded my brakes from the smaller 319mm rotors and calipers (WL/WG) to the larger 338mm Rotors and 13WH Calipers. I figured since my calipers were frozen and I don't know the last time the brakes were done I would start with a clean slate.

**YOU MUST HAVE 17 INCH RIMS TO DO THIS UPGRADE**

Parts Required (Advance Auto Part Numbers)

2x YH145457 (Front Brake Rotors) $60 Each
1x SLC9921 (Left Side Brake Caliper) WH $83+ $50 Core
1x SLC9920 (Right Side Brake Caliper) WH $83+$50 Core
2x 12 Oz Bottle DOT 3 Brake Fluid(I would get one 32oz bottle) $3 Each
1x QC976 Wagner ThermoQuiet Ceramic Pads(You can go with whatever front pads you want. You can even keep your old ones. There is no difference. I just went all new) $53


Total Cost: ~$339 After Cores are Returned. I paid about $250 using Advance Auto Coupons.

Everything mounts up the same. You have to bend the backing plates with a hammer a little. Put on rotor check and make sure nothing hits. Its not much that needs to be bent. Reuse bolts. Grease Pins. Bleed Brakes. Set in new brake pads. I did a few high speed stops.

Results: Amazing. What a difference. I could not believe it. I can now activate the abs. Before not even a chance.


The biggest trouble I had was getting the 2 caliper bolts out since my car is from NY. I had to use a breaker bar. A quick tip, disconnect the caliper hard line to get to top nut on the caliper easier. Makes life easier. Calipers also come with a lifetime warranty!


Here is it finished:

img00171201206220830.jpg
 
I know this is a very old thread, but I need to correct this misinformation.

I won't bother with the misstatement regarding the Richter scale, but I will say that the difference between the two rotor sizes is definitely not miniscule. If you had calculated the surface area provided by the extra 19mm of diameter you would know this:

Surface area of 319mm standard rotors = 123.8 sq inches
Surface area of 338mm sport rotors = 139.1 sq inches

This is a difference of 15.2 sq inches, which is a 12.3% increase in swept braking area. Also there is greater mass (larger heat sink) which decreases brake fade. Heat is the number one enemy of brake efficiency. Larger rotors will provide lower peak temperatures and longer wear cycles between brake pad changes (lower maintenance costs), as well as significantly better braking ability. All this in addition to the larger rotor giving the brake pad greater leverage and efficiency. So you can see that the larger rotors give advantages on several levels.

The Sport brake upgrade is not miniscule and is absolutely worth doing.

X2 on all of this. whoever the guy was that said you wont notice a difference with the bigger brakes or from a 1.0 vs 2.0 earthquake is 100% wrong & clearly has never compared the 2 brakes or been in a 1.0 vs 2.0 earthquake!

toyota determined for whatever reason that the bigger brakes were a worthwhile upgrade & spent the money to have engineers compare the 2... if there was no difference, toyota would have never spent the money to make the 2 sizes.
 
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