Why no four-wheel disk breaks?

I was just pondering why Tacomas don't have a four-wheel disk brake option. You see them on virtually all other makes and models of off-road vehicles, including other yotas. Is there some kind of off-roading or towing disadvantage to all-wheel disks that would make designers forego this for our beloved Taco? Longevity maybe? Money?

Just curious if any might have some insight...

 

From what I heard drum brakes give you more stopping power

 

$$$ A lot of features seem to be left off of the Tacoma, even ones that are available on the similar 4Runner. For some reason Toyota doesn't really dress up the Tacoma.

 

brakes!

 

because tacoma world hasn't made enough threads on it

 

A drum brake has as much or more stopping power than a disc brake. Where the disc has the advantage is the way it handles heat from repeated use, like in a performance setting. The disc is not as quick to fade.

So unless you are going to be using your Taco at the track having a disc brake in the rear doesn't accomplish anything except to raise the cost of the truck.

 

Thanks Jim. Honestly had no idea. I know the drums sure last longer, at least they have in all my previous yotas.

 

what are you breaking?

 

Maybe the record on repeat threads on a topic??

OP: if you search back a ways, you'll find a lot of posts on this. The best theory seems to be that because emergency brakes on disks don't hold well, heavier vehicles with rear disks add a small drum to be emergency brake. That drives cost way up so they use just the drum.

 

X2 , useless to have a rear disk setup ,except for asthetics.

 

While I don't disagree that rear disks on a heavy vehicle are a pain to designers because of the additional drum for an emergency brake, I don't completely agree they are the same cost to maintain. They are a lot easier than drums to maintain and should be cheaper.

Especially, I disagree with any unqualified assertion that rear drums are better; for reliable, fade-free braking performance disks are always better regardless of location. But drums are 'good enough' on a light suburban pickup like the Tacoma so Toyota can get away with this cost compromise.

 

Tacoma gets better braking performance than other midsize pickups.
Rear drum brakes are cheaper to manufacture than a disc/drum parking brake combo.

To a corporate bean counter at Toyota, do you need other reasons?

 

I am working on a front drum conversion to take advantage of the great benefits of the drum design.

I have to disagree as to the reason Toyota chooses to use rear drums on Tacomas as a better brake system.

Cost is my guess as disc rears will require a parking brake system incorporated as well.

When in doubt follow the money.

 

Just curious, where are you getting the information from? Personally, I think the Tacoma's brakes are horrible. I don't think it's a function of disc vs. drum, I just think they are not set-up very well. I could stop my old full size much quicker than the Tacoma and felt more in control also. The Tacoma always stops but there's always that moment where your heart jumps to your throat because the ABS kicked in too soon and your foot is quickly going to the floor.

 

i think it's just become a toyota tradition. keep da tacoma brakes ghetto! cheehuuu!

 

I noticed the brakes haven't got really good feel the first few stops on my truck too... but once the binders are warmed a little they are much firmer with good pedal feel. That's typical of some brake compositions.

I also notice ABS kicks in more frequent, but only when one of the (usually rear) wheels starts to lock up. So I wouldn't say 'too soon', as it only kicks in when needed which is a good thing. The question is.. why do the rear wheels lock up so soon? Not enough weight in the back of the Tacoma?

Not really sure but that seems the nature of unloaded pickups in general. I also know that gen 2's and all trucks since they became ABS equipped lack a load-sensing proportioning valve. I think they rely on ABS to do the same function.

Too, maybe Tacoma's have a much greater front weight bias. I do know that the rear brakes have a reputation of outlasting original owners.

If your foot ever goes to the floor, something's broke.

 

Ok, my old Ranger stopped better than my Tacoma... Besides, a MIDSIZE pick-up should stop better than something with a higher center of gravity and heavier. Plus, it doesn't excuse the reasons why I said what I did about the brakes regardless of what you compare it against...

 

I don't know where people are getting that drums perform better. when I had my Tacoma and was carrying about 800lbs of gear in the bed I felt a significang decrease in braking power that I know the FJ could handle (if it actually space to carry ). It was actually kinda scary braking with the Tacoma fully loaded and I'm just glad it was on an open desert road.

I just think the Tacoma is such a great selling vehicle that Toyota doesn't have to worry about it too much to push for sales, they come naturally. Hopefully in the fuure they add the 4 wheel discs though because they're definitely awesome

 

30 cents x 150,000 vehicles per year x 7 years

That's how it works in automotive. One supplier comes up with a way to save $5 per dashboard, it gets the title of "supplier of the year" and a big article in the SAE magazine. Toyota is one of the more aggressive Japanese OEMs with cost-cutting. That's why we don't have a locking fuel filler door or locking tailgate. Back in the mid 1990s, when the yen was strong, some Tercels were shipped without a clock.

 

My personal option is it kicks in too soon and the way it kicks in is borderline dangerous in some cases. I have yet to lock up the rear end when braking heavily plus my back end is heavier than a standard unloaded truck because of the cap, plywood platform and tools (never locked up the rear end before I had the cap either).