Tundra brake upgrade on my '96 4runner needs mounting hardware?

H

happysmp

New member
Hey everyone,
been lurking for about a month, then finally purchased a '96 4runner 2 weeks ago. Bought the truck without a safety and etest (I'm in Ontario, Canada), took it to my trusted mechanic and he pointed out several things that needed replacement which included the front brakes.

I noticed right away that the brakes felt extremely soft and the engagement point was almost at the point when my foot reached the floor. Previous owner said bleeding the brakes should fix it but my mechanic said that the aftermarket calipers, rotors and pads were the culprit. Thoughts?

Anyways...found the AMAZING thread about the Tundra brake upgrade.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/94923-hard-find-specs-info-measurements-231mm-13wl-tundra-calipers-rotors.html

Found all my parts; remanufactured OEM calipers (231mm 13WL), new OEM rotors pads and shims...one thing though. The remanufactured calipers don't come with any hardware. I assume they meant the mounting brackets. But reading further in that thread noted above...seems these tundra calipers will bolt right up to the 4runner. Is that true.

Thanks guys
 
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They bolt on just like the ones that are on there. No mounting hardware changes required. The only modification that is required is a little bit of trimming of he dust shields.

Side note: Make sure your wheels will fit without contacting the calipers before getting knee deep into things. If yours contact, you may be in for some grinding to make them fit.
 
Thanks guys,
running the stock 3/6 spoke wheels...based on that awesome thread seems it will "just clear" :) Going ahead with the purchase tomorrow. Hoping for more braking power!
 
My split 3 spokes (I think that's what you're saying?) when on my 96 did not clear the 231mm tundra calipers and only barely cleared with a 1/4" spacer. Be prepared for that possible outcome.

Hated the spacers, btw. Have adapters now.

I seem to recall people doing some grinding to get their wheels to fit, but I do not know the details on that.
 
happysmp said:
Well that's a problem
I just put up some pictures. Are those the split 3 spoke? Did they come in different rim sizes (15", 16") or were they all the same size?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/163065-adding-new-used-truck-family-my-first-4runner.html

Can anyone chime in... Looking to pull the trigger first thing in the morning
Click to expand...

Yes, they are. Yes they do and yes on 15 and 16". BUT if you have 15" you cannot fit the Tundra brakes. (That last comment is for those who have 15", you should have 16")
 
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habanero said:
My split 3 spokes (I think that's what you're saying?) when on my 96 did not clear the 231mm tundra calipers and only barely cleared with a 1/4" spacer. Be prepared for that possible outcome.

Hated the spacers, btw. Have adapters now.

I seem to recall people doing some grinding to get their wheels to fit, but I do not know the details on that.
Click to expand...

Why did you hate the spacers?
What adapters do you have? When you say "adapters", do you mean larger spacers with studs?
 
You don't want to use spacers, just go with the 199mm upgrade instead if the 232mm, still an improvement over the stock hardware. You really only need the 232mm's if your running bigger wheels/tires or are towing heavy loads. The 199mm fit no grinding necessary and its about $150 cheaper than the bigger set.
 
MAD 69 said:
You don't want to use spacers, just go with the 199mm upgrade instead if the 232mm, still an improvement over the stock hardware. You really only need the 232mm's if your running bigger wheels/tires or are towing heavy loads. The 199mm fit no grinding necessary and its about $150 cheaper than the bigger set.
Click to expand...

I have stock wheels and tires, and even when I'm not towing anything, I love having the 231mm brakes. I've never tried the 199mm, so I can't comment.
 
ShooterMcGavin said:
Why did you hate the spacers?
What adapters do you have? When you say "adapters", do you mean larger spacers with studs?
Click to expand...

Spacers. Those plates that slide onto the wheel studs. The 1/4" will work, but I don't like the thread space they take up.

Adapters. Bolt on using the studs and has studs of its own to bolt the wheel to. Smallest available would be plenty.

Grinding. I've seen it but don't have any experience with it. I don't know what- if any- ramifications there are.

Many people happily go with MAD 69's game plan of 199mm.

Are planning to go up to 285's in tire size? I'd think about adapters even more, or figure out what you plan with the upper a-arm and potential frame rub as well as caliper clearance. There are other tire size options that don't require extra space or you may not plan to go that big/wide. Some people change wheels to solve the problem instead of adapters. Maybe that's a bit of the cart before the horse, but it doesn't hurt to think on.

If not you've got a few options to weigh.
 
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Robb235 said:
I have stock wheels and tires, and even when I'm not towing anything, I love having the 231mm brakes. I've never tried the 199mm, so I can't comment.
Click to expand...

Yes you have stock wheels - the later 3rd Gen 5 Stars, we have the earlier 3rd Gen 3 spoke(the ugly ones) so we can't do the 231mm without some modifications such as grinding, I think the OP was mentioning a direct bolt on.... If you have the 5 Stars I would absolutely do the 231mm instead of the 199mm.
 
Went ahead with the 231mm calipers and I have the 3rd gen 3x split-spoke wheels.

Had to grind the inside of the wheel a bit but also had to grind a bit of the caliper. In another thread some of the posters had mentioned concerns around balancing. My truck drove fine after the work, no vibrations in the steering what-so-ever. I'm guessing it's because the amount that is grinded away is not a significant amount and the location of where you need to grind is nicely aligned to the where the wheel mounts up to the hub.

Brakes feel awesome. Here are some pics during the install at my garage.

BEFORE
IMG_2727.jpg


IMG_2728.jpg


IMG_2729.jpg


AFTER
IMG_2730.jpg


IMG_2731.jpg
 
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