Is the tundra brake upgrade worth it?

I used your guide and bought parts for a 2005 Tundra from Napa and went with the exact calipers but opted to use Akebono pads. I just picked what came up in the filter.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NB_...GA02RHbpjIWNK6PxHJ70-1643667674-0-gaNycGzNBqU

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/AKEACT976?impressionRank=1

 

My guess is that the pads might be slightly different size than OEM pads. In fact, I'd expect that, and it's why this comparison (first photo) of pads recommends OEM (the surface area difference there is due to beveling, but a slightly smaller pad is just a variant of the same issue).

Looks like OEM pads also have a ~1/4" at the hub side that isn't contacted, but pretty much go to the OD, judging by the most recent photos I have with the wheels off.

It won't matter in practice is my guess. Remember the biggest reason to do the upgrade is for the extra heat dissipation of the larger rotors, and not for a larger contact patch/more braking. Your Tacoma brakes can already skid your truck, which is all the braking you need. The problem is that the smaller (mass) rotors can overheat and warp more easily.

Passenger:


Driver:

 

Just wanted to follow up. Thank you all for weighing in. I have been taking care of various maintenance tasks recently, and decided to go ahead and go through with the tundra upgrade! I followed the adventure taco instructions, used their hard line conversion, and bought Powerstop kit during a brief sale on Amazon a few weeks back, $465 for the set.

$582 Power Stop Brake Kit For Toyota Tundra Sequoia Caliper Casting #13WL - Z36 Truck & Tow Front Calipers, Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads, and Drilled and Slotted Brake Rotors Replacement, KC2324-36

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KT5E9IA?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Everything installed smoothly, got my wife to pump the brakes for me as I bled the system, then did the adventure taco bedding suggestions. Everything working great! Glad to have the shuttering brakes issues solved. Besides having smoother braking, I have also noticed better pedal feel and modulation. Looking forward to the improved performance while hauling.

Thanks again all who weighed in!

 

I'm thinking about doing the tundra brake swap too, but I'm leaning more towards doing the Caddy CTSV Brembo brake swap instead. You can buy the calipers for dirt cheap and you use evo 9 brake rotors to make it work.

 

Awesome, glad it worked out for ya! Always nice when the kit and write-up are used!

I've never heard of this swap. Do you have any more info/write-up on it?

 

I saw couple of videos on youtube about this swap.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTCwWmbPV1I&t=400s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF_OyxqfEzk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYJnkHqjvrY

 

Gotcha, thanks. This is an upgrade for 5-lug Tacos. So, a different brake mod than we're normally talking about (and talking about here).

 

GX460 Big Brake Upgrade
So I'm not sure if this has been talked about. I'm about to start a Big Brake Upgrade on my 2006 Tundra and it should work for our 1st gen Tacoma's (6lug). I'll be installing GX460 Calipers, rotors and pads. It's a direct bolt on but the kicker is you need to machine the ears on the caliper that bolt onto the spindle. I thought about doing it to my Tacoma but I already upgraded to the 13WL. Maybe later down the road I might. Here's a link to the Tundra forum. There's a couple of guys on that forum that can machine the calipers or you can take them to your local machine shop.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2000-2006-tundra-big-brake-upgrade-kit-14wa-calipers.61231/

2000-2006 Tundra big brake upgrade kit (14WA calipers)

 

This is definitely an option - I've known people who have done it. While the bolt pattern of the calipers fit, it's hard to say that it's "direct bolt on" due to the kicker that you mentioned - first you have to machine the calipers.

In my opinion, it's not a good idea for anyone who uses their trucks in any sort of "remote" travel however, since a failed caliper cannot be easily replaced (unless you carry pre-machined replacements with you, which seems like expensive insurance and a PITA). The great thing about the more common Tundra Brake Upgrade (13WL or even 13WE) is that it *is* a direct bolt on. You can get the calipers anywhere and simply bolt them on, especially if you've also installed a hard brake line kit.

Having had to replace a caliper on the remote Lolo trail in Idaho (I had to drive to Montana to get a replacement), one of my primary strategies in recovery is to take into account what it means to get back up and running quickly and with minimal downtime. Here was my post-mortem of the situation.

If you just DD around town and have another vehicle that you can use if a caliper seizes and you can't drive the truck while you wait for a new one to be acquired and machined, then it's probably a fine mod.

 

I’m thinking I’m going to do the swap here soon.

 

I've been struggling with my brakes for quite a while now. I've replaced everything but the master cylinder (and I've had that checked by multiple mechanics), bled the system many times, adjusted the proportioning valve, adjusted rear drums, and it always seems to fade really quickly. Everything is OEM. Maybe it is time to do this upgrade.

 

Since I know a lot of threads like this get long, I'd recommend reading this post (earlier in this thread) for the effectiveness of the TBU. And by all means, feel free to reach out via PM or in this thread if you have any questions about the upgrade (here's parts, and step-by-step instructions) or about the brake line kits.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/is-the-tundra-brake-upgrade-worth-it.718801/#post-25585920

 

I've read that post many, many times. I may reach out at a later date about brake lines. I've already got extended stainless lines from Wheelers and I haven't had time to figure out if those will work.

 

I've done the upgrade, bled the brakes, changed to speed bleeders. I still have brake fade compared to the orginal brakes. I am thinking of re-installing the original system.

 

There is air in the system. Until I used a Motive bleeder, I had the same issues you did.

 

What model do/did you get? I've been bleedings brakes for probably 40+ yrs. I just can't seem to get these correct.
Tx, Bob

 

Which model did you get? Also, did you have to get an adapter to fit the bleeders?
Thanks, Bob

 

What year of tundra brakes will fit first gen tacoma???

 

2005, 231mm calipers

 

Hi new to the forum. Was gonna pick up some tundra calipers tomorrow for my 98 4wd Tacoma. I understand they bolt right on. But will they fit with stock Tacoma brake line. Or would I need some sort of brake line kit?