Brake Upgrade: StopTech Rotors + TRD Performance Pads

After much contemplating, I decided to go with the 4runner front brake swap using the StopTech rotors. You get nicer calipers with BBK but the 4runner calipers use larger pistons as well. Cost savings can nearly pay for the rear disc swap.

Stock: 319x28mm
4runner: 338x32mm
StopTech BBK 340x32mm

 

Updating your page 1 recommendations?

 

Enhancing.

The thread was really focused on a stock size upgrade, and just understanding brake upgrades in general. But I do plan to add a section on going to bigger brake upgrades and all the options I've reviewed. I'll use the same StopTech rotors in the larger 4runner size, with the 4runner calipers which utilize larger pistons than the Tacoma. Undecided on using the TRD pads again or trying a semi-metallic StopTech pad. I may keep TRD just for comparisons sake. For the 4runner swap you also need to swap to 4runner dust shields (if you want to keep dust shields) and run 17" wheels if not already. And since I'm swapping calipers I'll actually finally add some braided brake lines as well.

 

338mm 4Runner parts! Still waiting on a few things to complete the swap.

 

Let me know when you do. I want to help.

 

Will do!

 

Ok, to correct my correction once and for all! I was correct initially, the Sequoia master cylinder does not work with ATRAC. The MCs are completely different.

Which then makes me curious if the 2010+ 4runner ATRAC equipped trucks MC would be compatible with the Tacoma. The 2010+ 4runner ran larger volume front calipers and rear discs compared to the Tacoma and needed to move much more brake fluid. But those parts are serious money, and really makes swapping the rear drop in appeal. I'll likely just stick with the oversized 338mm 4Runner front setup, and SS brake lines all round.

 

Just did this upgrade over the weekend along with powerstop rear drums/shoes and full fluid flush. Couldn't do the ss lines, my driver side hardline flare nut stripped. Gonna have to replace that and do the lines another day.

Chose to do the dynamic break in procedure(know a good stretch of road). After the 6-7th 60 to 10 slow down...it started to bite. Got around 9 break in runs. Went home and let the brakes cool off. Everything the instructions said was noticed. Faint smell, the color change in the slots, and even wear.

On my way to work this morning, the brakes are working as intended. Great upgrade. Will tackle the ss lines another day. I grabbed the one inch over stock lines from Headstrong Off Road.

Thanks @crashnburn80

 

Can you post a summary of what you bought to swap to the 4Runner setup? I'm planning on changing my lines and of course a flush as well. TIA

 

I have a 15 OR like you. Very interested to see your results with the larger calipers and rotors on that stock MC.

 

2010+ 4runner 338mm Stoptech slotted rotors (didn't go Cryo this time)
#126.44174SR
#126.44174SL
Purchased from Amazon

2010+ 4Runner dust shields
#47781-60140
#47782-60140

TRD Pads (same as covered in this thread, 2010 4runner uses the same pads as Tacoma)
PTR0989111

PowerStop 2010+ 4runner remanufactured 'performance' calipers - uses larger pistons than Tacoma
Toyota 4runner 14WA calipers
Note summit's coupon codes at top for extra savings
-You can use less expensive remanufactured calipers. Centric is a good name and less expensive, I just wanted a high quality rebuild and liked the idea of having them powerdercoated. There is nothing truly adding 'performance' about a stock caliper rebuild.

Stainless brake lines from Wheelers Purchased these as they are USA made. Though seeing Headstrong offers +1" is interesting.

All this is well documented in this thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...unner-bbk-upgrade-for-2nd-gen-tacomas.504234/

What I like is that everything is OEM, so you have off the shelf parts availability/flexibility. Size is up from 319x28mm rotors to 338x32mm rotors, which is really close to the StopTech 340x32mm BBK. The front calipers have larger pistons as well, so you are also getting a better caliper too, though not as nice as forged aluminum StopTech calipers. Though, you can get Wilwood BBK 6piston calipers from RR-Racing for the 4runner that would be plug and play with these rotors on a Tacoma, giving the advantage of a larger off the shelf rotor bug nicer caliper, while still coming in at a decent cost savings over other BBK alternatives. Although the 4runner calipers have a larger piston volume than the 6 piston Wilwood calipers.

 

Awesome, thanks!

 

The OEM 3rd gen pads and the TRD performance pads are interchangeable. See the pics below. I installed those pads with the cryo Stoptechs on my 3rd gen with no issues yesterday. Now to find somewhere I can do some 60 to 10 pulls/stops...

 

Awesome info!! Thanks for being a pioneer for 3rd Gens! Strange that Toyota doesn’t list it as compatible for 3rd Gen. I’ll add the info with a link to your post in the original post.

 

I'm having second thoughts on using the larger capacity 4runner calipers... I may go with the Wilwood caliper upgrade, which will have a more substantial rotor (338x32mm) than the StopTech 340x28mm, but then I also have to use Wilwood pads. Or go with the StopTech 340mm and use StopTech pads. Undecided.

 

This is a great spec chart from Wilwood, comparing their street compound E to street compound Q. E is a semi-metallic, Q is a ceramic. You can see that when warm the performance is comparable, but when cold or very hot the semi-metallic has a higher friction coefficient (aka performs better). While this chart is specific to Wilwoods compounds the concept is the same for semi-metallic vs ceramic. OEMs use ceramic, as the noise/vibration/dust/rotor wear is less on a ceramic than it is on a semi-metallic, but as a generality, the semi-metallic has better performance at either end of the temperature spectrum. (The BP compounds in the chart are more race braking compounds).

 

@crashnburn80 why the second thoughts?

 

Caliper piston volume, the 4runner calipers have much larger volume pistons and a larger volume master cylinder. Some report long throw on the brake pedal with delayed brake engagement, the solution seemed to be that your rear brakes need to be perfectly adjusted to avoid it, which it is good to have the rears perfectly adjusted, but I also don't want my front braking engagement and pedal feel affected by a little rear brake wear. I'll notice the change and it will make me crazy. Non-ATRAC trucks can do the sequoia master cylinder swap to get more fluid capacity, but my truck is an ATRAC OR, so that is not an option. To upgrade to a higher capacity 4runner ATRAC master cylinder is well over $1000 possibly closer to $2000, and while I expect that would be plug and play, I've also not found anyone who has done it. Not to mention the significant cost wipes out the savings from using the OEM upgrade to begin with. Wilwood makes a big brake kit caliper for the stock 4runner disc size which actually has less capacity than the 2010 4runner calipers, but still uses the larger upgraded 2010 larger rotors. It does look appealing. But they are another $1300 for the calipers, and that is still designed for a 4runner that has larger master cylinder capacity than the Tacoma, which still leaves some performance unknowns. It is not like you can return used brake parts. I decided it is a more practical route to go with a big brake kit designed from the beginning for the Tacoma by a highly reputable brand (StopTech) that is of tried and proven design. So I'll be going with the StopTech 340mm BBK. Only decision now is 4 pistons or pay more for 6.

 

I upgraded to the stop tech rotors and pads recommended by this thread. I definitely enjoy the increased braking power but damn that combo puts off an unfathomable amount of dust.

Gentle Jesus.

Thanks OP for throwing this together.

 

Could anyone please summarize this thread so that I do not have to try and read a 28 page bible. I have had the front brake problems with my 2005 all along. I can't remember how many times I have replaced the rotors and pads. But six months ago I put a EBC dimple and groove kit with orange stuff pads and this past weekend again started the brake pulsing. Yes I occasionally pull a heavy boat. Yes I frequently pull a utility trailer. The heavy boat has its own brakes. I have been driving for fifty years and never had brake problems till this damn Tacoma. I just bought new BF Goodrich All terrain tires so I am not going to 17" wheels. But I am damn tired of changing rotors and pads no matter how easy it may be.