Upgraded brakes

I tried the Powerstop Z36 kit back in 2019 when it was $149 . It did ok, I had no issues with rotors cracking or warping. I honestly didn’t notice any major increase in performance over stock. I put about 30k miles on them before I sold that Tacoma. I plow snow in winter and haul trailers/boat in summers so they definitely get a workout.
Upgrading to SS brake lines gave me the most noticeable improvement in brake ‘feel’.

Would I buy the Z36 kit again when my 3rd gen needs brakes? Maybe. But they weren’t a total game changer for me like the ads make you believe. If I did get any performance benefits, they were barely noticeable for the way I drive.

 

You can switch over to 4Runner rotors and calipers. ( also need to change the backing plate ) The rotors are physically larger in diameter and in thickness. They will still use the exact same brake pad as the Tacoma though. Best part is, in the event of failure, parts are over the counter anywhere. Not the same with some aftermarket kits.

If looking at aftermarket, I would highly suggest a slotted rotor only, not cross drilled as well. This reduces brake surface area the pad can make contact with and material of the rotor reducing heat absorption capacity. Both are important to quality braking.

 

Pretty!

whatsit?!? (Shiny front brakes, obviously!)

 

I'd go back to the EBC slotted, and drilled rotors with the stock Toyota pads like i used for my tundra knowing how well they worked, and lasted.

 

Oh boy, OP sure triggered a lot of people with the word “upgrade” in the title.

 

The only upgrade worth doing is the Mike Sweers High Performance Front Brake Kit