WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA TACOMAS

Just don't get too big of a boat. You'll be fine I've towed big enclosed trailers with mine and canoe trailers with 6 canoes and 2 yaks. They do really well for a small truck.

 

Depends on the engine. If it’s the v6 you’ll be just fine with a medium sized lake boat.

The Tacoma has a better payload capacity than the Jeep and I’ve pulled a 21 foot Skiff with mine with no issues. If you’ve got the 6, you’d be fine with a 16-19ft boat

 

It's slowing down if the trailer doesn't have brakes. Also the Mtns can be hell on the trans. I would look at total weight of the boat and trailer. You can get some really light weight boats that are pretty big. Just depends on how deep your pockets are.

 

Yuuup that’s why I coughed up the money to upgrade the front brakes on the Jerp lol.

 

If you've got at least 17" wheels, you can upgrade the Tacoma front brakes (rotors, pads, calipers, dust shields) with the 4Runner/GX OEM ones.

 

5th gen runner are the biggest factory ones you can run. I haven't seen anything about the GX unless it's the older ones that are actually smaller than the 5th gen runner.

 

I know the 03-09 GX shares the same part number with the 03+ 4Runner. Not sure if the GX rotors changed, but I'd be surprised if they did seeing as how the 4Runner and GX are the same frame.

 

So the 03-09 GX brakes are smaller than the 5th gen 4runner. The GX had a larger brake package than the runners in that era as well. There is a thread on here about switching to the 5th gen 4runner brake set up.

 

I thought they were the same size (13.3") and shared part number 43512-60191?

 

That is correct they do share the same rotor where the 5th gen runner shines is the caliper the WA calipers have slightly larger pistons and take a larger pad thus more friction surface. Both set ups can be put together for the same cost. I would rather go with the 5th gen. Also SOS Performance has upgraded master cyclinders to work better with the volume of fluid to deal with them and adding a disc brake conversion they use an 07 Sequia master cycl for their rear brake conversion but it would be good idea to upgrade with these options as well.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...unner-bbk-upgrade-for-2nd-gen-tacomas.504234/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...t-oem-parts-part-s-provided-installed.443656/
https://sosperformance.com/t/tacoma

 

Good deal! I had no idea the calipers were different. I figured same rotor meant same caliper, and also figured that would order parts for the 5th gen when I got around to doing it. No real reason behind that decision.

I've been less than impressed with my Duralast rotors and pads and have been considering making the change, but just haven't had the motivation to pull the trigger yet. I know someone who did the upgrade using Napa rebuilt calipers when they did the upgrade. Given the Napa ones are about $100 each and the OEM is a little over $300 each, I will strongly consider them. My first option will be to check all the local junk yards.

NAPA Eclipse calipers
L caliper (part#SE3318) (WH cast)
R caliper (SE3317)

 

Try and find the ones with WA casting. @FadedComa found it all on Amazon. He also didn't replace the backing plates just bent them out of the way. If you wheel a lot you may want to delete the backing plates all together. The last few trips we've been on we've been getting a lot of gunk trapped between the backing plates and rotors clogging the rotor veins and dragging on the rotor.

I did a crap ton of research on this because I don't want to shell out the $$$ for a stoptech kit or the like and think that is overkill for what really need especially when the rears aren't getting upgraded to the same level. I like a very equal braking system with keeping a good front and rear bias and one not doing a ton more braking than the other.

 

Yes, but don't the front brakes handle ~70-80% of the load anyway? It would stand to reason that doing the fronts would allow for significant improvement without a need to improve the rear. I would rather do this upgrade over doing the stoptech kit as well. Big Brake kits aren't cheap and OEM is usually a higher quality.

 

60-70% yes you are correct they do most of the work. But think if you added a huge stop tech kit and then it ends up higher than that. Very uneven unless you go all out with a rear kit as well. My point is it should be upgraded evenly and going with a slightly larger OE type won't dramatically affect the brake proportioning like a BBK would.

If you get a quality brand like stoptech, wilwood, etc they are just as good as the OE if not better but you are talking big $$$$$ too.

 

Yeah. I'll stick with OEM.

Given the importance of braking, I really do want OEM calipers. I hope that I can find them on a totalled 4Runner in a junk yard rather than purchasing new. $620 before shipping is steep.

 

Napa stuff is good and I wouldn't shy away from them. Now that Advance Auto has aquired Carquest that would be another decent option. You just got to remember that parts houses sometimes have different tiers and always to get the higher end ones or that's what I would do.

 

Yo whats up WNC. Ive been in the area bout 5 yrs now. Dont know the area too well. Was wondering if they're were any taco meets around this area. Thank in advance

 

came out from nashville for the 4th with my fiance, looking for some trails and maybe views around highlands and cashiers. anybody got some recs? cheers

 

Some dirt roads around Looking Glass Falls. Free camping, 1st come. Be careful with belongings if you leave at your campsite.
Nothing technical..
Dry falls and Bridal vail falls are near you also..

 

found some cool trails near the chatooga river. great fun!