Wheels, Brakes, Upgrades,etc.

As has been mentioned time and time again, the 1st Gen Taco brakes aren't the greatest. I'd like to make the swap to this, http://www.lceperformance.com/Front-Big-Brake-Upgrade-Kit-Tacoma-1995-2004-6-Lug-p/1055203.htm, but I do have a few questions:

1. I have 15" wheels, I need 16" for this upgrade. Is it as easy as throwing larger wheels on or am I going to have interference issues seeing that I have stock suspension?

2. Is there a vetted alternative that will allow me to keep my 15" wheels and improve my braking capabilities?

 

There's no issue with larger wheels as long as they're backspaced correctly. Some guys are running 17s and bigger.

You can throw premium pads and rotors in (EBC comes to mind) to gain some more stopping power with the factory set up.

 

I just happen to be selling some 2nd gen calipers with Stoptech rotors and pads which I beleive is what you need. I'm in north county Carlsbad area. $100 and it's all yours :

 

Is this compatible with my 1st gen setup on 15"'s?

 

No, you need 16's minimum to clear these calipers on a second gen I believe. truck came with 17's stock... I don't think there is any upgrade you can do without going to at least 16's. The " upgrade " comes from a larger diameter rotor which means the caliper is spaced farther off of the spindle etc.

 

Seeing that 16" wheels are a necessity I think I'll go with the Tundra upgrade after grabbing new wheels: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/upgrade-to-tundra-brakes.75927/

 

Before you go to far, try EBC 7000 series green stuff pads,
I have been running these and drilled slotted
rotors and I can stop on a dime with 15" rims

 

Holy cow a Tacoma legend! Got any links to the pads, as well as the rotors?

 

Thanks

Pads get the "7000 series's" which are the best came from eBay,

Rotors came from r1concepts, the rotors are drilled,slotted and have the HIGH carbon or HIGH steel grade to them. Not the cheap steel, if you get regular steel they will wrap,
probably just call them,

 

Thank you, I'll definitely look into this as a more feasible option.

 

If nothing else try the pads first and I think you will be very very happy and if so then get the rotors and you will get even more of a bit and let me know
But make sure they are the 7000 series greenstuff,

NOT the 6000 series

 

Shall do! I'll keep you posted.

 

Anyone know where to pickup some steel braided brake lines?

 

Wheelers Off Road, a forum sponsor/vendor.

As to cross drilled rotors? I do time trial and auto crossing with my Miata, and I don't use cross drilled rotors. Why? Unless sourced as factory equipment (as most Porsches and BMW M cars are) they are just not that strong, they crack. Furthermore, it has been established for quite some time, that drill rotors no longer provide a braking advantage. There was a time when they did, but newer pads compound have virtually eliminated the need for cross drilled rotors.

Why do some manufacturers still use them as OEM? Marketing, nothing but marketing.

Here is the link of what pushed me to get the Tundra brakes on my Taco:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVybEXTC0TE

 

Nice posting, I have well over 500,000 miles using drilled slotted rotors, Never had a crack even with hauling a trailer.
The drilled holes would for sure cool down the rotors faster more I would think.
The tundra upgrade is the way to go for sure, but its expensive because you need to replace tires now
and rims plus all the tundra parts and hopefully there is not an issue with the booster as I have see
some people having.
If My rims were trashed and my tires were shot then I would look at the tundra option.
I paid 800 for my rims 2 years ago and got new ATM tires 6 months ago 850, so not ready for that swap, maybe after the tire wear out in 100,000 miles I will think about it, but if I were to do it now
it would cost me 900 for rims larger, 1000 for tires larger plus new rotors 175, pads 125 and calipers 200 plus hoses, that an other 500.00 or so with a grand total being 2500.00 give or take
Not there
I think the larger tires and rims actually slow down your truck also, but better for 4 wheeling

 

You've been driving 500,000 miles on the same rotors? Do you never stop?
Edit: Oh wait...never mind...you didn't mean the same rotors.

Do you run 15 inch rims? You don't need larger wheels with the 199mm caliper if you have stock 16" rims.

Also, you drive a regular cab that's a potato chip compared to an armored rig that you can live out for weeks at a time.

 

Haha NO, I have been using drilled and slotted ever since I bought my truck,
I do have 15" rims and can't do the tundra swap because of that,
1997 had 15" rims stock

 

Sweet truck by the way. it's gotta be fun as hell to drive.
I've been to your build thread before.

 

https://www.redline360.com/garage/brakes-cross-drilled-vs-slotted-rotors-which-is-better

Also, I have 16X7 Factory Yota rims, which were also availabe in Tundras. The rims have enough backspacing to clear the bigger brakes, and they are the same size as the factory rims that came on my TRD.

 

i run the ebcs. with bigger tires theyre still lackluster. especially with 35s