Is there a performance rotor and pad brand that is clearly the top mfg?

Can you post a direct link to what you got? I'm on their website and it says they don't have the Hawk HPS 5.0 pads and Sector 27 rotors that fit the Tacoma.
http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/hawk-hps-5-point-0-sector-27-brake-kit

EDIT: I changed the selected vehicle from 2009 Tacoma to 2013 and magically the site says they have a kit that fits....even though 2009 and 2013 brakes are the exact same.

 

Hawk only has LTS and heavy duty stuff for the Taco afaik, I'd probably get HP+ pads for it if I could, EBC seems to be the best bet for high performance brakes outside of going with different calipers.

 

abs switch? Can you elaborate on this?

 

Just make sure you properly bed them when you install them.

 

I've searched for ceramics for some time, nothing I can find for any Tacoma. CarID sells there kit as a ceramic kit when in reality they just throw 7000 series green stuffs in with the EBC kit. Disappointing finding out I can't run ceramics, because heat wise they are superior and when you live in a place that already is way too hot, brake fade is a huge problem, not just on track.

 

Decent pads, fresh and well bled fluid, properly and regularly serviced calipers/drums, combined with proper bedding of pads/shoes when new are installed all make for better braking than any fancy advertising.

Stock brakes work just fine on a vehicle that is used 'normally', and that includes towing up to the OE rating.

Start changing stuff up and abusing them, the 'fix' is often upgrading.

Stopping power if applied properly, only applies to a measurement of distance from a speed to 0 on a dry level surface. If your brakes will lock your wheels/kick in ABS, stopping is then a function of tire grip. Period.

Wobble (pedal plusation) is not from 'warping'. It's from pad material build up on brakes that were never properly bedded, improperly torqued wheels or malfunctioning calipers. Sometimes all 3.

 

You have a link to that complete set

 

http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/hawk-hps-5-point-0-sector-27-brake-kit

looks like they are on sale for $174

 

Thanks holding up well I presume??

 

Bill,
I agree with everything you have stated. The caveat to this is that it appears the OEM rotors are a bit sub par on the quality level. In 40 years of driving more vehicles than I can remember, only my Tacoma's ended up with warped rotors at mid level mileage (50K or so). My opinion is that the stock brakes work just fine for a couple of years and then they just turn to crap. Perhaps cheaper materials or mfg. process of the stock rotors? I look forward to the Hawk products I ordered this morning and if the rotor is indeed the root cause of my issue.
G

 

Regardless, you'll enjoy the Hawks. It's what I ran on my race prepped street car. Well, Hawk pads and Bembro rotors. ATE blue fluid as well.

I didn't want excess dust that things like Axxis Metal Masters create, and I was totally underwhelmed in EBC cars I lapped in.

Just be double sure to service the caliper sliders well and bed the pads properly.

 

Good stuff...I ran an ITC SCCA car at Sebring and Daytona in he mid 90's
G

 

Caliber sliders???? Pistons?
G

 

since the oem yota calipers are not floating with slide pins, are opposed piston calipers, he probably means the pad retainer pins I suspect.

 

I recently went with Brembo blanks and Hawk LTS pads. I also installed stainless steel front brake lines. I have no complaints

 

This. A million times this. I think people get pedal feel and cold bite confused with stopping power...

 

Thats why ceramics are the best. They do not give low stopping power. Organic gives low stopping power. Ceramics are a balance. Not as good at stopping power as metallics but they will be quieter and last longer. THey do fine for 99% of driving.

 

I was guessing the pins that hold the pads...

 

Just ordered these thanks again

 

I used Toyota OEM Pads

$67 04465-AZ001-TM Brake Pad

04465-AZ001-TM, these are US made ceramic pads with new backing plates and grease in the kit, works for me