Need more stopping power!

I've never been in an accident and I consider myself a good driver. Going with the flow of traffic, I can scan far enough ahead and plan accordingly. In normal traffic, my brakes are sufficient, however, some jackass ran a stop sign today and I mashed my brakes pretty hard. Avoided an accident, but I feel like the brakes should have performed better. They are new pads and rotors. Any suggestions to improve stopping power that won't cost me a small fortune?

 

Ceramic Pads??

 

Are they OEM or autoparts store brand?

You can try switching to performance pads/rotors from manufacturers like Hawk or EBC, but you take the risk of greater noise and shorter life.

At the end of the day you got to realize a Tacoma is not a Corvette. Short of outfitting a new brake system, you will always take longer to stop in your heavier taller truck than a lighter, shorter car.

 

Add stainless steel brake lines. That will take out the expansion on the rubber lines and increase pressure in the cyclinders.

 

It's important to note none of these mods improve stopping distance. They simply make the brakes "bite" earlier and can improve pedal feel. The stock brakes are already powerful enough to lock up the tires if ABS weren't present.

 

Don't know what's on it. The dealer replaced everything for me. Do performance pads make much difference?

 

Brake pads are a compromise among bite, squealing noise level, and dusting. OE pads tend to be quiet and generate little dust, at the expense of initial bite. Dealer would use OE pads.

 

you could try the tundra upgrade. I don't know too much about it but my Chipskip did this on his 1st gen and said the difference was "night and day". Its basiclly a big brake upgrade for the 1st gens

 

http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/61A3070A0A0.aspx
I have these and love them, you could also combine them with slotted or drilled rotors. I have the tundra brake upgrade, and it does cost a small fortune. i did notice a difference between auto zone gold pads and the ebc's

 

I feel the same. When in my parents vehicles ('11 Sonata, '12 Ram) you have to feather the brake pedal versus my trucks. Their brake pedals take a whole lot less travel than mine does, I have to go a ways in mine.

 

If you don't mind saying, what did the Tundra upgrade run you? And considering that, was it worth it IYO?

 

i have the tundra brake upgrade and love it. fitted the larger 231mm calipers, rotors and stainless lines for ~$400. huge upgrade in brake performance. make sure your wheels will work with the calipers, obviously. The OEM "star" 16" alloys on 2001-2004 Tacomas WILL clear the 231mm calipers.

 

I got Ebc blank rotors and pads, and remaned calipers, also different brake lines, so i think it cost about $500. and it was totally worth it! These brakes are nasty. If there was an easy way to swap a toyota disc setup on the rear i'd probably do that too..

 

That's not too bad of a price, if it's as good as you guys say it is. Having better brakes is def a good thing.. I really wish these trucks came with rear disc. There's bound to have been somebody on here that has put rear disc on, I'd be interested in that myself.

 

I have EBC drilled rotors and green stuff pads, stops pretty well but it's no sports car.

 

I've only seen kits that use gm calipers, and there's no e brake

 

Eeh wouldn't like that, e brake comes in handy.

 

x2 on the Tundra front brake updgrade. That's what is on mine.

 

Brembo rotors, hawk hps pads, and stainless lines stops on a dime. I have no complaints.

 

What did that run you, if you don't mind?