Current go-to brake pad recommendations? (1 Viewer)

[CharlieS]

I have a '94 with 4 wheel disc brakes, and I have it up on the lift replacing my tired OME suspension, adding extended brake lines, sway bar and bump stop drop brackets, etc. I have a long road trip at the end of the month, the rear pad are pretty worn, and figure it wouldn't hurt to toss some fresh pads on. I've done some 'mud searching, but am wondering if people would be willing to share their preferences. A few of the pads I've seen recommended seem to be no longer readily available. This 80 is used mostly offroad and around town, seldom on the interstate. My default would be Toyota parts, but am open to quality aftermarket options.

I'm running 35" tires, and weight wise - steel front/rear bumpers. winch and sliders - but am otherwise lightly loaded (no second or third row seats); in case that matters to the recommendation.

 

[robnicko]

Toyota OEM I use and if i cant get them I use Bosch

 

[suzuguru]

OEM is always good, but for brake pads, I usually go with Duralast lifetime warranty from Autozone. Depends on the vehicle as to whether I use semi-metallic or ceramic.

 

[jfz80]

I vote OEM or EBC green stuff pads.

Have run both and noticed braking improvement with the green stuff units. Did not get to run them to end of life to compare lifespan/mileage. I am not a proponent of 100 series pads unless swapping to new calipers at same time.

Be aware the akibono oem pads are avail in two separate grades. I chose top shelf or HD or however they label each time.

 

[77mustard40]

I used the Advics (sp) from Cruiser Outfitters and they’ve been fine. Dumping the ABS and LSPV was the big winner for my brake performance.

 

[family80]

I normally go with Napa pads. I’ve always use them never had an issue.

 

[OffRoadScott]

I use Powerstop Z36 pads front and rear. Love the bite on rotors.

 

[Outsane]

So get any pad you want as long as they are not made for a 100 series.

 

[thatcabledude]

I have been using EBC Green Stuff for a long time.

 

[80t0ylc]

I also use NAPA brake pads and shoes on my rigs, including my '94, for a couple of reasons. I live in a small rural community and NAPA is the only parts store in town and secondly, I'm older and through experience, don't drive my rigs like I'm in the Baja 500 or Le Mans. Speaking of Le Mans, there is a scene in the movie, "Ford vs Ferrari" where Christian Bale, who plays the driver, Ken Miles, is speaking to his son, before the race about his strategy to to help his car make it through the 24 hrs of the race. He's showing his son the markers he uses along the track, to start braking for the turns on the practice track they laid out at LAX, and his son asks, "You can't just push the car hard the whole race, right?" And Ken answers saying, "You have to be kind to the car. You feel the poor thing groaning underneath you. If you're going to push a piece of machinery to the limit and expect it to hold together, you have to have some sense of where that limit is." Now most of us don't push our rigs hard a lot. But I found this scene in the movie, a kind of paradigm for what experienced drivers follow for longevity, to help their rigs last, not only in a race, but in every day driving. If I can get 50K miles, or better, out of NAPA intermediate brake pads, most of the time, it kinda says, it's not the quality as much as it is the driver's technique and style of driving.

 

[Kernal]

For a 96 Model, Toyota early 100 Series pads up front, EBC Greenstuff for the rears, very good braking and close to 100,000 miles on those pads.

On a 97 model, needed pads in a hurry while traveling so got ?? store brand early 100 Series ?carbon something pads up front. Later, with new rear calipers, then installed Toyota/Advics rear pads. That truck also stops very well but not quite as good as the other. There's maybe 5% difference between the 96 and 97 models which are both stock with the same tire brand and size (265-75-16) on each truck.

No issues when using the early 100 Series pads up front. One had new calipers when the pads were installed,, the other didn't.

FWIW

 

[CharlieS]

Thanks for the input everyone. Seems like there are lots of good options.

Between here and several friends I talked to with a variety of rigs used similar to mine, the EBC Greenstuff pads keep coming up, So I'm going to give them a try.

I ran 100 series front pads on prior 80s and didn't feel a noticeable difference, so I ordered the ones specced for the 80.

EBC fitment calls out front (DP6992) and rear (DP6993) Greenstuff 6000 Elite Truck and SUV pads for my vehicle.

I found both sets were available and on sale at Amazon, so I ordered them.

If they don't work out, you've given me several alternatives to try next.

Ford vs Ferrari is such a great movie and that is a terrific sentiment. That must've been an amazing time to be involved in motorsport. The part you reference really speaks to treating the vehicle with mechanical sympathy.

I'm completely on board with that. I used to race rally cars, and half of the cars wouldn't even finish a (multi stage, multi day) race. The saying was "you can't win if you don't finish". By having good mechanical sympathy, I managed to finish every race I entered.

I removed my ABS and LSPV as one of my first projects on this rig when I got it. It made a huge difference in brake feel and efficacy.

One of my other projects in the next day or two is upgrading the brake lines (Slee extended lines) and a full flush/bleed. I expect this to make them incrementally better as well.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.