Not doing the Tundra brake upgrade But looking for Rotors
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jgue467
Senior Member
Stop Tech - slotted - angled vanes for best cooling to prevent future warping.
Well if they vibrate most every time they warm up enough when stopping, then they begin to annoy me, so I replace them.
I've done drilled/slotted and wasn't crazy about the feel you get in the peddle from the drill holes, you do 'feel' them, like a buzz.
So next time I went with slotted only. the slots are to move water out faster when raining a lot - they work.
I got the ones with angled vanes, the rotors are directional to 'grab' air as they spin and funnel it to the center cooling off better than traditional vanes that go straight from the outside to the center.
Here's a list of what's available from Stop Tech, the brand I've learned to love for Runners.
Here is the model# for the left side, same just R for right on end: Amazon.com: StopTech 126.44112SL Sport Slotted Brake Rotor- Front Left: Automotive
Been at least 2 years, zero warping, smooth.
Luck. Security Check
Well if they vibrate most every time they warm up enough when stopping, then they begin to annoy me, so I replace them.
I've done drilled/slotted and wasn't crazy about the feel you get in the peddle from the drill holes, you do 'feel' them, like a buzz.
So next time I went with slotted only. the slots are to move water out faster when raining a lot - they work.
I got the ones with angled vanes, the rotors are directional to 'grab' air as they spin and funnel it to the center cooling off better than traditional vanes that go straight from the outside to the center.
Here's a list of what's available from Stop Tech, the brand I've learned to love for Runners.
Here is the model# for the left side, same just R for right on end: Amazon.com: StopTech 126.44112SL Sport Slotted Brake Rotor- Front Left: Automotive
Been at least 2 years, zero warping, smooth.
Luck. Security Check
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+1 for Stoptech slotted rotors, had them on some other cars of a go-fast nature. IME you do still 'feel' the slots in the pedals under hard braking, but they seem to work a little better and they're my go-to rotor swap for anything and those are on my list for my 4runner as well.
While we're on the subject of brake rotors: I have an '00 4Runner 'Highlander Edition' which apparently has a 'lower rear diff gear and larger brake rotors' but I've not found the difference between these and standard SR5/Limited rotors or the Sport Package. Anyone know?
While we're on the subject of brake rotors: I have an '00 4Runner 'Highlander Edition' which apparently has a 'lower rear diff gear and larger brake rotors' but I've not found the difference between these and standard SR5/Limited rotors or the Sport Package. Anyone know?
sleepydad
Senior Member
engineering explained has a couple very good vids on brake stuff.
one really interesting vid he did on performance/slotted rotors
YouTube
this one is for pads, lesson learned OEM can't be beat generally.
YouTube
I have tried a bunch of different stuff over the years and now pretty much either napa premo brand solid rotors or toyota OEM. either way with these options its a do it once and forget for it for 100K usually.
19963.4lsr5
New member
I too like the premium Napa coated rotors. Been 3 or 4 years on my Saturn S Series and still look new.
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jgue467
Senior Member
To my knowledge, they only came with two sizes, smaller for 15" wheels and larger for 16".
UnderFire
New member
I just use stock type rotors from a reputable manufacturer, centric, raybestos, etc. Then slap on a normal pad, typically use the centric posi-quiets. I feel no need to sacrifice anything for. "braking performance" in an SUV that's not really built to do much beyond what a normal set of brakes can handle.
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brillo_76
Elite Member
Well I can only go my experiences in the last 30 years of Toyotas. In my environment. The original rotors and pads did the best with no warpage for close to 100k miles before warpage of the rotor would occur. Now brake pads will wear at various rates due to road conditions etc.
After the need to change the original rotors from factory to another this gets interesting.
As from the late 80s on this is what I seen with vehicles with Drum brakes in the rear disc in the front. Probably different with disc all around.
No matter which rotor I put on these vehicles. These rotors would warp way too soon. Even using OEM Toyota rotors wouldn't help. As they would warp way before 100k miles.
So there is a major difference between factory floor rotors and the OEM rotors being sold.
Now this is across the spectrum of cars, trucks etc.
My first thought was oh my back brakes arent adjusted properly but that didn't matter as I tested being adjusted up every 5k by hand or not.
Now out of all my Toyotas that I have had. It sure seems the 3rd gen are the absolute worst for warpage out of all of them.
I had the best luck with slotted rotors on the Camry lasting the longest. I also put slotted in my wife's van.
Nothing I have found so far will keep a 3rd orginal size rotor from warping. My last set lasted 3 months before it started warping.
As I really dont want to upgrade to a tundra brake system. However, nothing gets under my skin more then warped rotors that vibrate your steering wheel.
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After the need to change the original rotors from factory to another this gets interesting.
As from the late 80s on this is what I seen with vehicles with Drum brakes in the rear disc in the front. Probably different with disc all around.
No matter which rotor I put on these vehicles. These rotors would warp way too soon. Even using OEM Toyota rotors wouldn't help. As they would warp way before 100k miles.
So there is a major difference between factory floor rotors and the OEM rotors being sold.
Now this is across the spectrum of cars, trucks etc.
My first thought was oh my back brakes arent adjusted properly but that didn't matter as I tested being adjusted up every 5k by hand or not.
Now out of all my Toyotas that I have had. It sure seems the 3rd gen are the absolute worst for warpage out of all of them.
I had the best luck with slotted rotors on the Camry lasting the longest. I also put slotted in my wife's van.
Nothing I have found so far will keep a 3rd orginal size rotor from warping. My last set lasted 3 months before it started warping.
As I really dont want to upgrade to a tundra brake system. However, nothing gets under my skin more then warped rotors that vibrate your steering wheel.
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Satter
New member
I used to agree with this. I’m OEM all the way. But after driving a loner 2020 Camry while the stealership worked on my 4R for over two weeks I’m completely sold on better breaking than what 3rd gen 4Runners offer. If I could find a mechanic to modify my breaks to better breaks I would do it in a second.
"Warping"... Better defined as uneven deposits of brake pad material on rotor which causes a vibration.
IMHO... 3rd gen brakes are a bit under designed in mass and size unless used exclusively in semi flat country and conservatively. Add mountain driving and harsh use and there's "warp".
Only seen two sized front calipers for 3rd gen's. 15" wheels (S12WE) and 16" wheels (S13WM). Rear pistons 15/16" and 1" respectively.
Tundra S13WE (199mm) (thicker rotor upgrade)
very confused - can you guys help?
Everything works good with new parts but as your brakes wear will also see a taper in the rotor surface (unparalleled) from inner diameter to outer diameter. Adds to the 'warp' with miles.
Toyota calipers also require more frequent replacement/rebuild.
Best suggestion put on the best rotors and "pads" your budget allows. Calipers in question? Do those too.
Cheers!
IMHO... 3rd gen brakes are a bit under designed in mass and size unless used exclusively in semi flat country and conservatively. Add mountain driving and harsh use and there's "warp".
Only seen two sized front calipers for 3rd gen's. 15" wheels (S12WE) and 16" wheels (S13WM). Rear pistons 15/16" and 1" respectively.
Tundra S13WE (199mm) (thicker rotor upgrade)
very confused - can you guys help?
Everything works good with new parts but as your brakes wear will also see a taper in the rotor surface (unparalleled) from inner diameter to outer diameter. Adds to the 'warp' with miles.
Toyota calipers also require more frequent replacement/rebuild.
Best suggestion put on the best rotors and "pads" your budget allows. Calipers in question? Do those too.
Cheers!
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brillo_76
Elite Member
Yes definitely undersized rotors and brake system for the vehicle mass on the 3rd gens for for sure.
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Reinout
Member
I couldn't find it at this time but Team O'Neil did a video about brakes and the size and where the different sizes can be a pro or con.
YouTube
Essentially what it came to: On street; bigger brakes = better.
Off road, smaller brakes = better
Why? Offroad you don't want to tap the brakes and lock up in loose stuff.
BUT 99% of our rigs are on-road ☺ so bigger is better!
never heard that before. Ive had several yotas over the years and never had a caliper issue till this 4runner where I had a caliper that was sticking., but at that point they were 18 years old and original.
ive since replaced with TBU, stock yota pads and stainless brake lines front and back. Went TBU because I drive lots of steep hills that have lots of moose ( who walk out in front of cars like no big deal) and I want to stop the best I can.
I have tired other pads, but they were "dusty" and did not notice much improvement over the Toyota pads.
The TBU is the way to go. It will serve you well.
IMHO the 3rd gen 4runner's calipers in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast or where ever the winter road service folks throw down (insert your favorite brand of obnoxious chloride de-icer here) wrecks havoc on the caliper piston seals.
I've gone after trying to maintain the calipers on my '96 (S12WE) with a vengeance to no avail. Drain-n-fill the MC every oil change, press back pistons whenever possible, etc. Pretty sure it's not an internal fluid issue. Se la vie. I'll simply throw calipers on now if any hassle pressing the pistons back and not worry about it anymore. It's a maintenance feature.
IMHO I think the slight under design (rotor heat sink) exacerbates the issue and just brings the calipers into a high wear-n-tear corrosive induced environment.
Yup, TBU gets that heat under control. If your driving conditions warrant the TBU, great way to go.
Cheers!
P. S. And that's where the Tundra S13WE (199) upgrade really comes into play. From what I've read it uses a very similar stock 3rd gen sized caliper but allows a significantly larger rotor (heat sink) without having to mess with the worry of caliper rub on the wheel rim or backing plate trimming for caliper fit. Need to do more Forum search on my part but that definitely seems an interesting way to go.
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