DIY Tundra Brakes (BBK)

[boringdriver]

@TeCKis300 in reference to the part numbers below:

4) Hard brake line from caliper to suspension bracket
- left hardline: 47314-35330
- right hardline: 47316-35250

The toyota dealer I am buying the calipers, rotors and hard brake lines from asked me to provide a VIN to make sure everything was a match. I provided a random VIN for a 2015 Tundra TRD Pro. They replied back and said everything matched, except for the hard brakes lines which they say is for a 4Runner. Looking that up, that seems to be true (see pic below), but wasn't sure if these specific hard lines were chosen for this DIY retrofit for a reason. What the online dealership is saying matches the 2015 Tundra is this:

We appreciate, too, entering your VIN with your order; this helps us ensure you're ordering the correct parts for your vehicle. Upon inspection, however, it appears that what you ordered doesn't match your VIN.
Based on the vin the correct parts are 47314-0C021 at $5.49 and 47316-0C091 at $3.75

Please advise if I should tell them to disregard the mismatch and send anyways.

 

[TeCKis300]

@TeCKis300 in reference to the part numbers below:


The toyota dealer I am buying the calipers, rotors and hard brake lines from asked me to provide a VIN to make sure everything was a match. I provided a random VIN for a 2015 Tundra TRD Pro. They replied back and said everything matched, except for the hard brakes lines which they say is for a 4Runner. Looking that up, that seems to be true (see pic below), but wasn't sure if these specific hard lines were chosen for this DIY retrofit for a reason. What the online dealership is saying matches the 2015 Tundra is this:



Please advise if I should tell them to disregard the mismatch and send anyways.

View attachment 2786935

I do vaguely remember that I had a hard time identifying the Tundra hardline part numbers. I found a reference which suggested the use of 4runner hardlines. Which did have to be massaged to get the right angles for our application.

Short answer is if you can get ahold of the Tundra specific ones, use those. Let us know if those work out and I can update this thread.

 

[turbo8]

I believe the hard lines for the Tundra calipers are:
passenger side: 473160C091
driver side: 473170C031

 

[Reckless]

Got my vehicle back today, took 1 week for rotors arrive from Arizona- Been driving my 100. I can report that this is a great and strongly recommended upgrade. I'm still breaking in Akebono ceramic pads but the panic and discomfort I'd feel slamming my brakes on the highway with the 33s is gone. The vehicle feels much more controlled braking from high speeds especially. I noticed one specific exit ramp that has a hairpin turn where my brakes would make me panic and no issue today; cornering seems to have improved, still need more time to confirm this.

Now my rant: I am VERY ANGRY at Toyota for not speccing this properly. I spent alot of money on brakes, rotors, pads, labor that I shouldn't have to if they had done their job properly. They suggested RW/KO2 combo in instruction manual, so I got it. I think I have replaced entire brakes 4 times all around in 130k miles. My gut tells me this tundra setup will last 60-80k miles (secretly wishing for 100k). All this because they were being too cheap. I'm used to AMG setups and expect 60k+ per brake changes. I had even longer life out of larger brembo brake kits. If there is a class action lawsuit I need to know about it.

Now this might be after driving my 100 with 32" michelins for a week/arb suspension but the 200 with tundra brakes felt more truck like. My 200 always felt more truck like but the Tundra brakes give it actual stopping power. I would always let brake go from stop light slightly and car engine would make car slip into intersection very easily. Its not doing that anymore. Might be brand new brakes?

 

[bloc]

Got my vehicle back today, took 1 week for rotors arrive from Arizona- Been driving my 100. I can report that this is a great and strongly recommended upgrade. I'm still breaking in Akebono ceramic pads but the panic and discomfort I'd feel slamming my brakes on the highway with the 33s is gone. The vehicle feels much more controlled braking from high speeds especially. I noticed one specific exit ramp that has a hairpin turn where my brakes would make me panic and no issue today; cornering seems to have improved, still need more time to confirm this.

Now my rant: I am VERY ANGRY at Toyota for not speccing this properly. I spent alot of money on brakes, rotors, pads, labor that I shouldn't have to if they had done their job properly. They suggested RW/KO2 combo in instruction manual, so I got it. I think I have replaced entire brakes 4 times all around in 130k miles. My gut tells me this tundra setup will last 60-80k miles (secretly wishing for 100k). All this because they were being too cheap. I'm used to AMG setups and expect 60k+ per brake changes. I had even longer life out of larger brembo brake kits. If there is a class action lawsuit I need to know about it.

Now this might be after driving my 100 with 32" michelins for a week/arb suspension but the 200 with tundra brakes felt more truck like. My 200 always felt more truck like but the Tundra brakes give it actual stopping power. I would always let brake go from stop light slightly and car engine would make car slip into intersection very easily. Its not doing that anymore. Might be brand new brakes?

Toyota wasn't being too cheap.. due to economies of scale it actually may have been cheaper to use tundra brakes from the beginning by sharing parts. They likely designed it with smaller brakes that worked in smaller wheel sizes throughout the world, where the vast majority of these were sold.. and knowing those smaller brakes fit their design criteria at the time.

There is no class-action because there is no case. Those tiny brakes work more than well enough for the vast majority of drivers, with many posting that they are surprised how well these big SUVs will stop when asked to. So I'd say it's more that your driving style doesn't fit the stock brakes than them being inadequate.

 

[boringdriver]

Toyota wasn't being too cheap.. due to economies of scale it actually may have been cheaper to use tundra brakes from the beginning by sharing parts. They likely designed it with smaller brakes that worked in smaller wheel sizes throughout the world, where the vast majority of these were sold.. and knowing those smaller brakes fit their design criteria at the time.

There is no class-action because there is no case. Those tiny brakes work more than well enough for the vast majority of drivers, with many posting that they are surprised how well these big SUVs will stop when asked to. So I'd say it's more that your driving style doesn't fit the stock brakes than them being inadequate.

Well, Toyota/Lexus did finally increase the size the rotors in 2016. The first impression by others who have driven my LX is usually related to the brakes. Mainly, the feel of the pedal. Most of these people own trucks themselves. I believe the stopping power and the feel of the pedal changed for the better in all 200 series starting in 2016. Not sure what wheel size sacrifices were made then.

 

[bloc]

Well, Toyota/Lexus did finally increase the size the rotors in 2016. The first impression by others who have driven my LX is usually related to the brakes. Mainly, the feel of the pedal. Most of these people own trucks themselves. I believe the stopping power and the feel of the pedal changed for the better in all 200 series starting in 2016. Not sure what wheel size sacrifices were made then.

Yes, 8 years after the initial design. Whether it was to keep up with other manufacturers or improve something they felt wasn’t adequate or all markets moved to compatible wheels we’ll never know. And most agree it was an upgrade. I’ll be doing the swap myself.

But to suggest the stock 08-15 brakes are worthy of a lawsuit? Or be “VERY ANGRY” about something that works great for the vast majority of people? Come on. Yes the pedal feel is that of a marshmallow but they will haul down speed in these heavy vehicles at an impressive rate when asked to. A simple pad swap will fix the pedal feel issue too.

By the way, along with larger rotors in 2016 toyota made the caliper mounting hardware larger than what came on a tundra, and moved that hardware out to accommodate the larger rotors instead of make the caliper mounting ears longer. Meaning increased forces would be applied with those larger rotors and they designed special brakes only for the LandCruiser in response. Not at all the “cheap” way to handle it.

 

[Reckless]

Forgive me I wasn't trying to be controversial. It was more of irritation that they did not do this sooner. I wouldn't mind if there was a proper upgrade available. I tried a number of things to fix the brakes including TRD pads, fancy rotors. My vehicle managed to chop up an entire set front and rears in 2000 miles once. I did not have confidence I could stop esp on highway when driving. If I let someone borrow my bruiser Id warn them about the brakes. Changing brakes in 2016 is a sign they figured out they were not adequate. The truck is a much different vehicle with proper brakes even in curves. I remember complaining about the brakes when comparing my 100 to 200. Everyone said it was brake feel but I disagree now. The brakes were totally improperly sized. Maybe because they focus on 3rd world markets. I drove scared for 150k+ miles when I didn't have to. I wish I knew about this tundra $200 upgrade sooner.

 

[04UZJ100]

Forgive me I wasn't trying to be controversial. It was more of irritation that they did not do this sooner. I wouldn't mind if there was a proper upgrade available. I tried a number of things to fix the brakes including TRD pads, fancy rotors. My vehicle managed to chop up an entire set front and rears in 2000 miles once. I did not have confidence I could stop esp on highway when driving. If I let someone borrow my bruiser Id warn them about the brakes. Changing brakes in 2016 is a sign they figured out they were not adequate. The truck is a much different vehicle with proper brakes even in curves. I remember complaining about the brakes when comparing my 100 to 200. Everyone said it was brake feel but I disagree now. The brakes were totally improperly sized. Maybe because they focus on 3rd world markets. I drove scared for 150k+ miles when I didn't have to. I wish I knew about this tundra $200 upgrade sooner.

You drove “scared” about brakes but frequently comment about driving 100+ through Chicago traffic. Something ain’t adding up.

 

[Reckless]

Not 100mph through traffic, without traffic yes. With traffic due to brakes I had to slow down not to be a safety hazard.

I wouldn't think of super charger before because truck would not stop but starting to consider it now. Need more time with brakes to decide.

 

[boringdriver]

Not 100mph through traffic, without traffic yes. With traffic due to brakes I had to slow down not to be a safety hazard.

I wouldn't think of super charger before because truck would not stop but starting to consider it now. Need more time with brakes to decide.

username checks out

 

[Reckless]

You have the Harrop supercharger, how do you drive it with stock brakes?

 

[bloc]

You have the Harrop supercharger, how do you drive it with stock brakes?

Just a guess here, but probably not like a sports car.

 

[boringdriver]

Just a guess here, but probably not like a sports car.

This. Every now and then I drive like Ricky Bobby.

 

[TeCKis300]

Everything is a trade. IMO, the stock pre-16 brakes were fine and dialed in for the stock configuration. These same brakes on the LC were fitted to the LX, a vehicle that was easily 300+ lbs heavier stock in base curb weight. In both applications, they felt and were strong and capable. Big brakes can increase sprung weight, and I imagine Toyota's initial design tried to walk the balance of having the least amount of sprung weight, with the most amount of brake they deemed necessary.

Agreed that with modifications, particularly tire size, they started feeling under-leveraged. Still strong and capable, with good heat capacity, but needed more pedal pressure to respond accordingly. Then the slipperly slope of additional mods, weight, etc. and sure they needed some help. Aggressive friction compounds helped bring back some leverage but with some side effects of noise and grabby behaviour for things like crawling in off-roading.

Aggressive 33"+ tires with much higher curb weights really do need and benefit from this mod. It takes away the lost brake torque feeling of...hrmm, will the rig stop? Bringing back the initial bite and confidence.

The '16+ cruisers are really setup well from the factory to take on big tire sizes. They're heavier to begin with due to feature creep over the years. But between the gearing and bigger brakes advantages, they're already setup for more mods. Funny as I've equally read from individuals saying the new '16+ have sensitive brakes with a bit too much bite. Guess there's some subjectivity in all of this too.

I'm just happy we have Tundra BBKs as an easy and effective mod. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to justify going to 35s and still confidently tow 15k worth of rig.

 

[bloc]

I'm just happy we have Tundra BBKs as an easy and effective mod. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to justify going to 35s and still confidently tow 15k worth of rig.

Agreed. Toyota developing parts that are similar across platforms made it easy for us. I’d love to do a real 16+ swap for the stiffer mounting that the engineers must have felt was necessary but can’t justify the cost of the knuckles for what must be a marginal benefit.

 

[Reckless]

This. Every now and then I drive like Ricky Bobby.

I used to play a game as a kid called Super Offroad. To this day I am a wannabe baja racer but I don't have dirt roads mostly paved but I like making jumps at 100mph in clear open roads esp through corn fields. I fully recognize my Bruiser is not a sports car but I love riding my truck hard through bumpy conditions. I think I must be an icon beta tester because I like testing my suspension over every bump/crack/hole/rough surface. Icons love speed being a digressive shock. The Bruiser is meant to be abused not babied in my opinion. You wont truly appreciate or enjoy this vehicle if you treat it like a virgin.

Seeing this OME ad made me go and buy a 200 (originally was going to put BP51s but all the initial issues made me go Icons instead):


Bruisers are meant for jumping.

 

[Reckless]

Aggressive 33"+ tires with much higher curb weights really do need and benefit from this mod. It takes away the lost brake torque feeling of...hrmm, will the rig stop? Bringing back the initial bite and confidence.

I'm just happy we have Tundra BBKs as an easy and effective mod. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to justify going to 35s and still confidently tow 15k worth of rig.

These are my two biggest comments on this mod.

 

[Squirrel]

I'm digging into this today. As luck would have it, the front right corner is grinding really badly. Who do we like for OEM parts these days?

 

[bloc]

I'm digging into this today. As luck would have it, the front right corner is grinding really badly. Who do we like for OEM parts these days?

There have been a handful of dedicated threads to this lately, you’ll get more and potentially better information checking them out.