Rotora Big Brake Kit Product Review

[Formidable]

After adding the heavy 285 Nitto Ridge Grapplers, full skid plates, the OEM brakes were just not cutting it. I could feel the additional weight every single time I depressed the brake pedal. It simply took more effort to slow the vehicle down. In addition to the sticking calipers, the shimmy due to warped rotors, (due to the vehicle weight and living on a mountain), and in anticipation of adding a winch bumper, sliders, roof rack, etc... I started looking into aftermarket solutions.

Big brake kits are not cheap. Many folks are not keen on spending thousands on bigger brakes and this is clearly not an upgrade for everyone. I spoke with Loren at Rotora and ordered the 14” front and rear rotors with forged aluminum calipers and stainless lines. Installation went without a hitch. Rotora brake pads are now bedded.

Arguments against BBK:
-OEM system is adequate
-Once ABS kicks in BBK do nothing more to slow the vehicle down

Counter arguments:
-Even with OEM wheels and tires, sticking rusted calipers, warped rotors, and fade seem to be a regular problem secondary to heat. Add bigger tires, trail armor, any amount of towing and the OEM system which is already struggling is easily overwhelmed. Adding larger rotors provides a bigger heat sink and results in less fade with repeated use. Pushing the lever arm out with larger rotors and calipers will assist with slowing the vehicle and require less effort in terms of pedal pressure to do so. Threshold braking obviously takes far less effort.
-Engaging ABS occurs faster and takes less effort.

Initial impressions:

Packaging: 10/10. Everything came packaged in press fit and precisely cut styrofoam.

Quality: 10/10. Amazing quality. Caliper brackets are billet aluminum hard anodized black. Powder coated red finish on the calipers is spotless.

Weight: 9/10. Rotor weight was reduced in the front despite being larger thanks to the two piece aluminum hat. Rotor weight in the rear was increased as they are significantly larger than OEM. See pics.

Install: 10/10. Straight forward. Remove OEM rotors and calipers. Cut dust shields, (or remove them and place washers between caliper brackets and hub). Install Rotora rotors, caliper brackets, calipers and lines. Bleed system.

Pedal feel: 10/10. Takes significantly less effort to slow the vehicle. Zero fade after repeated slowing from 50-5mph x 10 attempts.

Emergency braking: 10/10. Tires skid with less effort and ABS kicks in sooner.

Overall: 10/10. Tremendous improvement over the OEM system.

 

[Formidable]

Additional photos.

 

[zeekevin]

Looks great and I’m sure in functions even better... did you change out all the soft lines to ss brake lines. Also did you flush out the brake fluid system? How hard was it to get the system to completely bleed all the air out?

 

[AuSeeker]

Very Nice!

Just a question and a confirmation, does the parking brake function correctly?

I believe you stated in an answer to my question in another thread that one would have to have 18" wheels for these to be installed, correct?

 

[Formidable]

Looks great and I’m sure in functions even better... did you change out all the soft lines to ss brake lines. Also did you flush out the brake fluid system? How hard was it to get the system to completely bleed all the air out?

Yes, the stainless brake lines were included with the kit. Flushing and bleeding the kit was not difficult. Used both a pressure and vacuum system. Six 12 ounce bottles of OEM fluid did the trick. I read somewhere that the master cylinder for the 4th gen has a defective seal. Can only use OEM brake fluid apparently.

Very Nice!

Just a question and a confirmation, does the parking brake function correctly?

I believe you stated in an answer to my question in another thread that one would have to have 18" wheels for these to be installed, correct?

Yes, the rear hats were designed specifically to work with the 4th gen parking brake assembly. Rotora also makes hats to work with the 5th gen parking brake system which I believe is a bit different.

Correct. 18” wheels are required to run 14” rotors.

 

[derekdevasia]

I am so envious. They look fantastic!

 

[Bonyfattony]

It is my favorite mod by far. Looks great!

 

[Formidable]

I tried to see if you would sell me your set. When I found out you put them on your 5th gen I sent Loren an email! LMAO!

Post some pics of your Rotora’s on your 5th gen!

It is my favorite mod by far. Looks great!

 

[chengitis]

were you still able to use the original master cylinder? I hear that the cylinder needed to be upgraded to a larger one to accommodate BBK.

 

[Formidable]

Not sure where you read that but it is absolutely not necessary with this kit. I mentioned in the original post that the larger heat sink and moving the lever arm out is what make the biggest difference.

Let me put it this way... this kit already significantly reduces the amount of pedal pressure required to slow the vehicle down from any speed AND requires less pressure to engage ABS and stop the vehicle. Clamping force and friction between the pad and rotor is not an issue with this kit. So what would be the benefit of upgrading the master cylinder?

were you still able to use the original master cylinder? I hear that the cylinder needed to be upgraded to a larger one to accommodate BBK.

 

[chengitis]

I would assume fluid flow through the lines and system.

 

[LOSTR4]

How much is this BBK compared to the others...?

 

[Formidable]

I would assume fluid flow through the lines and system.

You might get stiffer pedal pressure as a result, but in all honesty not necessary.

How much is this BBK compared to the others...?

No idea what other kits cost. Contact Loren at Rotora for a quote. It’s not cheap but he is willing to work with you.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Do they not have a 4th Gen kit at a specified price? Is this company so specialized that they quote every potential customer?

 

[Formidable]

To be honest, I have no idea why they don’t have a price catalog. I got in contact with Loren and went from there.

Do they not have a 4th Gen kit at a specified price? Is this company so specialized that they quote every potential customer?

 

[Bluesky 07]

To be honest, I have no idea why they don’t have a price catalog. I got in contact with Loren and went from there.

Is it fair to say you're not comfortable sharing what you paid? You've alluded to it being expensive without naming numbers and that's fine, my point isn't to "extract" the actual cost but more just curiosity about why the pricing around this kit is a mystery.

 

[Formidable]

No problem. I don’t know what Rotora plans are to announce pricing or where they are in that process. Nor do I know what the forum rules are regarding vendors. This is a product review. I don’t work for Rotora and this not an advertisement if that makes sense.

Is it fair to say you're not comfortable sharing what you paid? You've alluded to it being expensive without naming numbers and that's fine, my point isn't to "extract" the actual cost but more just curiosity about why the pricing around this kit is a mystery.

 

[hgill]

DAMN YOU :lasercannon:. Now i have to convince my wife how the 4runner "NEEDS" a BBK!:fencing:

The 4runner looks badass with the BBK on there :bigok:.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Is it fair to say you're not comfortable sharing what you paid? You've alluded to it being expensive without naming numbers and that's fine, my point isn't to "extract" the actual cost but more just curiosity about why the pricing around this kit is a mystery.

Takes a bit of searching:

RBK082.01 - Rotora Complete Brake System - Battle Born Offroad - Your Top Offroad & 4x4 Part Source

This is a smaller system than OP's it'll fit stock components.

 

[traildog]

Is this system larger than what is on the sport editions?