Which brake rotors to choose?

[fluffeh]

I went offroading in a pretty much bone stock 2000 limited 4wd just to test the capabilities of what it could do. Long story short, I fell in love with being off road and went out a few more times. I ended up getting my brake rotors completely glazed up, I'm presuming from the off roading. So now I need to replace them with rotors that won't warp under excessive braking.

I was curious if anyone else had upgraded their brakes and if so, to what? I was thinking slotted and/or drilled to help with the heat dissipation, but I didn't know what material or what brand or anything. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Also, should I replace the pads with the rotors? And what kind?

I've done some googling but the info out there has been hard to find.

 

[Gerdo]

As far as brake pads, read this (post #11 sums things up) http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/108945-best-brake-pad.html

As far as rotors, I went with Brembo blanks (blanks, as in not drilled or slotted)

I'm pretty happy with my setup.

Also since you have a 2000 Limited (with the 16" wheels) you have the larger brakes which help.
Some will strongly suggest doing the Tundra brake conversion. I'm sure it is awesome but I haven't seen a need for it. (I also have the larger stock brakes)

 

[the great him]

drilled or slotted rotors dont actually help more over they tend to hinder things, as they are taking away surface area on the rotor. you do not drive a race car so you should not have to worry about cooling your brakes so much as to need drilled and or slotted rotors. the more metal and or surface area you have the more potential you have for braking power. a lot of guys (me included) have done the TBU(tundra brake upgrade). when doing the TBU you have two choices 199s or 231s, i went with the larger of the two options -231s. now that only applies to the caliper size(199/231) they share the same rotor. the rotor for the TBU is the same diameter as the stock 4runner, but they are much thicker there for having much greater potential for dissipating the heat through the thicker metal. in my mind its worth every penny to do the upgrade, A- you know every thing up front is new, and B- you dont have to worry about brakes anymore because you have brakes designed for a much larger vehicle and the are just as easy to service and dont cost any more for pads.

oh and its all bolt up too

read through this, its got everything you need to know about it right here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ements-231mm-13wl-tundra-calipers-rotors.html

 

[fluffeh]

I read that entire post, the kid. I hadn't heard of that before but I like it!
Did you use OEM parts? That price tag is a bit high but I don't want to compromise performance.
I have the 5-star wheels so I shouldn't have any issues with the wheel rubbing, and trimming the dust shield doesn't look too difficult.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

I bought brembo slotted rotors and performance friction carbon metalic pads, HUGE improvement. Not to mention they look killer peaking out through the wheels.

 

[Jon]

Tundra swap FTW! Big improvement over stock. I used all Duralast parts http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/107600-tundra-brakes-perhaps-15-wheels.html

 

[fluffeh]

Ive heard people say slotted/drilled rotors reduce performance through less surface area, so I'm definitely leaning toward the Tundra swap. Just not sure on where to get the parts and how much they'll cost.

 

[martin770]

Is this the first time you're changing the rotors? If so, and you don't want to do the Tundra upgrade yet, you might just want to try whatever replacement rotors from the local parts store.

I've replaced mine twice now since buying the truck, they last a couple years before starting to warp and shake. It's not the worst thing in the world to have to spend $25 per year on new rotors.

Also be aware that heavy braking while the rotors are wet (off-roading/rain) can shorten their lifespan a bit.

 

[hrt4me]

good tips for a newbie, thanks!

 

[fluffeh]

Yeah it is the first time, but I'd rather put the money into preventing further repairs and to improve the braking ability.
I plan on doing a lot of wet heavy braking offroad. ^^