Upgraded brakes?

I’ve used Powerstop kits front and rear on my old truck, my wife’s Jeep, and my daughter’s Fiesta. I’ve had good luck with them each time.

 

Used this on a GX470 & GX460, made a difference and what I will go on my Tacoma when the brakes need some work

 

I service our radio gear on top of Mt Washington in NH the road is steep, sort of paved and windy this is where your transmission comes in not the brakes. We also have gear on top of Mt Cranmore it is not paved rocks and dirt, swales two feet or more deep to keep the road where it is and about 3.5 miles of it, low range up and down.

 

That sounds pretty cool. My truck is 2wd so low low range. Where I overheated my brakes were coming out of Mesa Verde NP in Colorado, and on state hwy 64 IIRC in NM, I think north of Taos.

 

Yup! I can completely fade both front and rear stock brakes in about 2 minutes on a forest road

 

I did this one. Really like the results.

 

if you want to get even more out of a BBK swap, then i recommend the Wilwood superlite kit, because those aluminum calipers drop literally 17lbs PER SIDE of unsprung weight. that's easily noticeable and if you like driving and handling then it may be worth the expense. i would buy again, no questions: https://www.amazon.com/WILWOOD-TOYO...s=wilwood+brakes+tacoma&qid=1637597904&sr=8-3

 

I like Hawk LTS pads. About double the temperature rating of stock and better bite. More brake dust too though. That is the cheap upgrade I can afford for now.

I've driven in mountains my who life, and never had breaks fade. Some of it may be driving style. Gears are one part of it, the other is not riding the breaks. Pick your 'safe' speed, hit the breaks and over a few seconds slow the truck to 5-10 mph below that safe speed, then with the transmission in a lower gear let the truck cost back up to speed. Repeat. This allows your breaks to cool. I always shake my head when I have 3 miles of steep down grade and the brake lights on the vehicle in front of me are on the entire way.

All that said, a BBK would still be nice, especially on heavier rigs with large tires. I want one, just cannot justify it.

 

This. I'll acknowledge I don't tow or have 1000lbs of armor or 35's, but man, what are some of you doing to roast your brakes so hard? It's called 4lo, use it, your brakes and trans fluid temp will thank you. Well, off-road at least.

If you are overheating your brakes, your first step should be pad compound, then fluid, then rotors, THEN BBK. Everyone jumping straight to BBK is likely just lighting a pile of money on fire for no reason, nevermind you'll get all the aforementioned parts and think it's just the massive calipers making the difference...

 

Interested in what others are doing to the brakes. No issues yet but when time comes I will have knowledge of what works thanks to TW!

 

I'll try to summarize:

Stg 0 - "nothing bro! brakes are great! are you trying to race this thing or what?" - keep 'er stock
Stg 1 - "I need a little more" - upgrade pads, slotted rotors, brake fluid (Castrol SRF or bust), and maybe braided lines
Stg 2 - "I tow massive loads, armored this thing like an Abrams, or I just plain ball hard" - SOS stop tech front BBK kit, or Wilwood BBK (take your pick, I much prefer stoptechs).
Stg 3 - "I hate drums" - Stg2 + rear drum swap to disc brakes.

 

Drums on all 4 corners here and I couldn’t be happier. Cost me $7500, but now I am ready for off road.

 

Fell out of my chair LMAO!

 

I do hate drums. The last time I replaced brake shoes was 1987 or 88 on the 70 Camaro I drove in high school.

I’ll put pads on the front. If I keep it long enough for the rear shoes to need replaced, I’ll take it to a shop.

 

Not sure what the exact height is, but it's close to a foot taller

 

About $200 for the PowerStop drilled/slotted rotors with Z36 pads.
Just did my second install of them after about 65k miles - they could have gone another 10k but have used hard towing heavy trailer and boat and then this summer 2 trips to UT and CO mountains. No fade ever and good stopping power when you need it. Got cut off at 80mph on I70 fully loaded with 4 in the truck and as the ABS fired off had a good straight stop and it went when I aimed it. Quick easy install. Original calipers at 180k. Many options and opinions so here's another.

 

With all my Armour and the set up in the bed, I'm hauling around close to another 1k pounds

 

I have not, I think I need to replace the brakes so might as well upgrade

 

The price difference between the two options is several thousand. I would try the cheaper solution first before you dive into BBK territory...

It's not like the Tacoma has small front calipers, just the rotor isn't the grabbiest steel, could use more cooling vanes that are designed differently, and the pad compound is tuned for silence. You up the aggression on both with aftermarket parts, and make sure you flush annually with a higher temp brake fluid, and I doubt will be dissatisfied.

BBK's are for race cars and for looks.