Replacement Brakes Options

[JBHorne]

Brian brought this up in another thread, but I figured I'd start a new thread.

In the next 5,000 or so miles I plan to replace my brakes. This should be just the usual inspection and new pads, but I'm wondering if there is any way to make the system better by replacing the rotors and pads with upgraded components.

Brian has suggested replacing the rotors and calipers from the Tundra, which are 0.4" larger (correct?). This would be a fairly expensive swap as I'd have to obtain the components from a Tundra. In addition, If I decided to downgrade to 17" wheels I couldn't.

So, I'd rather stay with the factory calipers and just upgrade the rotors and pads.

I'm looking into having a company custom machine OE-sized rotors, cross drilled and vented along with OE-sized ceramic pads. Any idea of a good company that can do this?

On the JC Whitney site, I see these companies claim to have rotors for the 200 series, but not sure if this is true. Never heard of these companies either... Can anyone shed some light on Raybestos, SP Performance, Centric, Disc Brakes Australia (DBA), Hawk Pads, etc?
2008 Toyota Land Cruiser Brake Rotors - JCWhitney

TireRack lists similar products as well:
Brakes for 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser

Does anyone have a brake system manufacture that they would recommend? In addition, what are considered the best style for rotors? Are there any negatives? I see things such as cross-drilled, vented etc. but do not know if these are necessarily better features or if there are downsides as well.

As for pads, what about performance or ceramic pads?

The Tundra Big Brake kit is out of the question as it requires 19"+ rims.

Also, Brembo at $4K+ is out of the question! I'd like to keep this project to within $1K.

 

[JBHorne]

Looking up Disc Brakes Australia (DBA), they look like a pretty well respected company. Anyone have experience with them?

They do make a direct OE fit kit for the 200-series in their new "4x4 Survival Series".
http://www.dba.com.au/latest-4x4-survival-series

Cost is $154 for the front and $208 for the rear (each corner sold separately). Total would be $724.

As for pads, I'm looking at the Hawk LTS Truck/SUV Pads. Cost is $79 front and $57 rear. Total would be $136.

Entire project cost assuming I do the work myself would be $860.

Does this sound reasonable? Any other recommendations?

 

[pagemaster]

In addition, If I decided to downgrade to 17" wheels I couldn't..

Hey JB,

The Tundra brakes will fit 17 inch rims. Toyota has now released a 17inch rim package for the Tundra. The whole won't fit the 18inch thing was a market ploy by Toyota USA when they first released it.

Same reason why Toyota will never, ever called the Tundra a 1/2 ton, they will always refer to it as a "Full Size" in comparison to the American trucks.

 

[pman]

DBA is fairly well known amongst cruiser heads. I havent really heard anything bad about them when used on cruisers. ART has made rotors for some 100 series guys and they have been very pleased so far as i know.

Dont know if you have looked, but I think brembo and stoptech have various options. From just pads and rotors all the way up to full BBKs (16in rotors, 6-piston mono block calipers in front and 15in rotors with 4-piston monoblocks in the rear)

 

[JBHorne]

Good to know, thanks! But I still think Brembo and the Tundra Big Brake kit are $4K+ options. Way out of my price range!

 

[pman]

Yeah they are crazy expensive, they also require 20" rims minimum....which is no good IMO. I would still look to see if Brembo makes stock size replacement rotors.

 

[spressomon]

For more peak braking power and fantastic longevity check out ART (Advanced Rotor Technology) rotors. They're cryo'd. And add Porterfield carbon/kevlar pads.

I've got just under 100,000 hard miles on my ART rotors on my 100 and I just scuffed them with garnet paper to remove some high temp transfer pad material (not currently using Porterfield pads but will be going back to them...) and the rotors are like brand new once again.

Talk to Steve at ART.

Applied Rotor Technology

FYI: No affiliation whatsoever other than a 100% pleased customer.

 

[JBHorne]

Well this is interesting...the more I research the subject the more I'm leaning towards simply keeping OE parts.

Everywhere I turn a thread pops up how slotted or drilled rotors are a big no-no nowadays.

Hmm...

 

[spressomon]

Properly slotted are fine. Key word: Properly. But if it "ain't broke...don't fix it"...its a valuable creed!

 

[bjowett]

For a larger brake system, going with Tundra calipers and rotors is great from a system design standpoint. It retains the same piston bore area and pad area/rotor contact. Pedal feel will be almost identical, until you get into situations where the extra torque it can produce is realized. Also the heat capacity and shedding ability go up.

If you want to go with new calipers from Toyota, those will be the largest expense in doing the Tundra brakes. Some excellent used condition calipers can be found at salvage yards for roughly 1/3 the price.

 

[hoser]

Just reminded me... I have a pair of front OEM Tundra Calipers (7k miles) with pads on them and one new OEM Tundra rotor that I can sell. PM me if interested.