Tundra Brakes

[PaulT]

Hi Vic. My truck is a 2010 Tundra DC with TRD package. Thinking about an upgrade because I'm due for some brake work this year so timing would be good.

Paul

 

[Squatch]

what year truck Paul? On some you can swap in bigger rotors and calipers.

I think that's one of the main options for the pre '05 Tundra's. Swapping to the later brakes from an '05 or later. Plus swapping the rear drum brakes for the discs off a Sequoia.

 

[Vic Harder]

Paul, the TRD in 2010 already has big brakes; therefore, companies such as StopTech don't even make a kit for your truck (I checked StopTech, not the others).

My understanding is that the rears on the TRD can be upgraded, via a TRD kit. That said, the rears are not doing that much of the work anyway. I would suggest different pads, if you are noticing any fade, go for a higher temp pad. Sometimes that means the first stop in the morning can be exciting. Some pads will chew through rotors faster. That is a good trade off in my books, just like when I look for tires. The number of miles I get out of a set of tires is the LAST thing I care about. Stopping/cornering are way more important, and the types of road/gravel/rock/snow they can handle and stop on.

For reference, I built a v8-Miata a few years back, and upgraded the brakes. It was the least likely thing I would ever do again. Better pads on the original (tiny!) rotors made the biggest difference, up to the point where the tires no longer were able to hold during panic braking. Better tires was the next thing I did to shorten stopping distances under street/track use.

Vic's rule of thumb... can you engage the ABS under all the conditions you drive under? Yes? Then the brakes are fine and you need stickier tires. Get better tires first.

If not, then you need more brake. Improve brakes first.

Re-test, and keep improving.

 

[PaulT]

Vic, Good to know. Yes, I can engage the ABS at will. I haven't had a situation where the brakes have failed me and I really try to drive with my eyes as far down the road as I can. However, in the Portland Metro area, if I leave a safe distance to the car ahead, two cars will suddenly fill the space without signaling as the lights change to red which forces me to really get on the brakes.

The Cooper Discoverer AT3's do a great job in wet & dry. I understand they aren't great on ice but are fine in snow.

I was just looking ahead in anticipation of possible brake work. Best to do the research before the truck is in the shop.

Paul

 

[So Cal Adventurer]

Paul, the TRD in 2010 already has big brakes; therefore, companies such as StopTech don't even make a kit for your truck (I checked StopTech, not the others).

My understanding is that the rears on the TRD can be upgraded, via a TRD kit. That said, the rears are not doing that much of the work anyway. I would suggest different pads, if you are noticing any fade, go for a higher temp pad. Sometimes that means the first stop in the morning can be exciting. Some pads will chew through rotors faster. That is a good trade off in my books, just like when I look for tires. The number of miles I get out of a set of tires is the LAST thing I care about. Stopping/cornering are way more important, and the types of road/gravel/rock/snow they can handle and stop on.

For reference, I built a v8-Miata a few years back, and upgraded the brakes. It was the least likely thing I would ever do again. Better pads on the original (tiny!) rotors made the biggest difference, up to the point where the tires no longer were able to hold during panic braking. Better tires was the next thing I did to shorten stopping distances under street/track use.

Vic's rule of thumb... can you engage the ABS under all the conditions you drive under? Yes? Then the brakes are fine and you need stickier tires. Get better tires first.

If not, then you need more brake. Improve brakes first.

Re-test, and keep improving.

No Sir

I’m 99% sure none of the TRDs came standard with the “TRD BIG BRAKE” upgrade. It’s an add on and almost $3k. It also only fits the bigger wheels. The calipers are HUGE!

I know for sure my 2014 has regular brakes.

 

[So Cal Adventurer]

I just got back from a week in Death Valley mostly Offroad.

I upgraded my brakes to Terrain Tamer drilled and slotted front rotors and DBA slotted rear rotors.

Hawk LTS Pads at all 4 corners.

It honestly feels like a completely different truck and I couldn’t be happier.

 

[Vic Harder]

No Sir

I’m 99% sure none of the TRDs came standard with the “TRD BIG BRAKE” upgrade. It’s an add on and almost $3k. It also only fits the bigger wheels. The calipers are HUGE!

I know for sure my 2014 has regular brakes.

Hmm... ok, I "ass" "u" "me" d that the TRD trucks came with the TRD brakes. oops.

 

[So Cal Adventurer]

Hmm... ok, I "ass" "u" "me" d that the TRD trucks came with the TRD brakes. oops.

That would be awesome. The brakes are the only complaint I have on my truck

 

[ottorogers]

I just got back from a week in Death Valley mostly Offroad.

I upgraded my brakes to Terrain Tamer drilled and slotted front rotors and DVA slotted rear rotors.

Hawk LTS Pads at all 4 corners.

It honestly feels like a completely different truck and I couldn’t be happier.

this will be my next upgrade when I need brakes, I’m at 35,000 miles now, so it will be 60,000 or so before I need brakes. I’d like to know where you bought your parts, Amazon???

 

[So Cal Adventurer]

Ive used DBA drilled and slotted for over 10 years on my different trucks.

I ordered front and rears on Amazon. The rears arrived and I got an email saying the fronts were on backorder for basically forever.

Many friends in the Land Cruiser world suggested Terrain Tamer brand out of Austrailia.

Cruiser Brothers out of Nor Cal is the TT dealer I bought my fronts through: www.cruiserbrothers.com (their website sucks and they might not list them for the Tundra, so email or call is best)

Just got back from my first real trip with them and couldn't possibly be happier. Night and day improvement.

I will probably swap out the rear to Terrain Tamer just because I am OCD like that! hahahaha

 

[ottorogers]

Ive used DBA drilled and slotted for over 10 years on my different trucks.

I ordered front and rears on Amazon. The rears arrived and I got an email saying the fronts were on backorder for basically forever.

Many friends in the Land Cruiser world suggested Terrain Tamer brand out of Austrailia.

Cruiser Brothers out of Nor Cal is the TT dealer I bought my fronts through: www.cruiserbrothers.com (their website sucks and they might not list them for the Tundra, so email or call is best)

Just got back from my first real trip with them and couldn't possibly be happier. Night and day improvement.

I will probably swap out the rear to Terrain Tamer just because I am OCD like that! hahahaha

I am OCD too!!! I Know you well!!!

 

[ottorogers]

Ive used DBA drilled and slotted for over 10 years on my different trucks.

I ordered front and rears on Amazon. The rears arrived and I got an email saying the fronts were on backorder for basically forever.

Many friends in the Land Cruiser world suggested Terrain Tamer brand out of Austrailia.

Cruiser Brothers out of Nor Cal is the TT dealer I bought my fronts through: www.cruiserbrothers.com (their website sucks and they might not list them for the Tundra, so email or call is best)

Just got back from my first real trip with them and couldn't possibly be happier. Night and day improvement.

I will probably swap out the rear to Terrain Tamer just because I am OCD like that! hahahaha

I was quoted $179 for each rotor, does that sound right? Did you notice a big difference in stopping power??

 

[So Cal Adventurer]

I was quoted $179 for each rotor, does that sound right? Did you notice a big difference in stopping power??

$179 sounds about right. What brand?

Yes, as mentioned I noicted a huge difference. Not sure if rotors or pads but I’m super happy with it.

Since day 1 when I bought it new, I’ve been disappointed with the brakes on the truck, even stock. Now they feel like they should.

 

[ottorogers]

$179 sounds about right. What brand?

Yes, as mentioned I noicted a huge difference. Not sure if rotors or pads but I’m super happy with it.

Since day 1 when I bought it new, I’ve been disappointed with the brakes on the truck, even stock. Now they feel like they should.

Terrain Tamer, $179 each. Tundra factory brakes are only good if your truck is empty!!!

 

[So Cal Adventurer]

Terrain Tamer, $179 each. Tundra factory brakes are only good if your truck is empty!!!

Nice. Terrain Tamer and Hawk LTS pad combo is awesome!

I thought the brakes were meh even empty

 

[kink]

Hawk LTS pads are the key. High end rotors are likely not necessary. I do get that some people just want upgraded stuff, but rotors are not the key to better braking on a Tundra. The LTS pads are.

I bought centric premium front rotors and have run through two sets of Hawk LTS pads and the combo is amazing. I work on a mountain and drive it everyday year round. I tow with my FWC Hawk mounted and have never once felt under-braked. The stock rotors and cheap pads warped my rotors the first summer commuting up and down the mountain.

Just the $.02 of a long term lurker who registered just to respond to this thread.

Cheers

 

[Vic Harder]

Hawk LTS pads are the key. High end rotors are likely not necessary. I do get that some people just want upgraded stuff, but rotors are not the key to better braking on a Tundra. The LTS pads are.

I bought centric premium front rotors and have run through two sets of Hawk LTS pads and the combo is amazing. I work on a mountain and drive it everyday year round. I tow with my FWC Hawk mounted and have never once felt under-braked. The stock rotors and cheap pads warped my rotors the first summer commuting up and down the mountain.

Just the $.02 of a long term lurker who registered just to respond to this thread.

Cheers

Great first post Kink. Agreed that pads are key. Just bed them in right.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=85

 

[ntsqd]

Only two reasons that I'd buy a premium rotor would be if they are bigger in diameter and there's a bracket made to position the caliper accordingly; or if the COTS replacements for that application are known to be junk.

 

[ottorogers]

Hawk LTS pads are the key. High end rotors are likely not necessary. I do get that some people just want upgraded stuff, but rotors are not the key to better braking on a Tundra. The LTS pads are.

I bought centric premium front rotors and have run through two sets of Hawk LTS pads and the combo is amazing. I work on a mountain and drive it everyday year round. I tow with my FWC Hawk mounted and have never once felt under-braked. The stock rotors and cheap pads warped my rotors the first summer commuting up and down the mountain.

Just the $.02 of a long term lurker who registered just to respond to this thread.

Cheers

thanks so much for this reply, so far my factory rotors from Toyota are not warped, and holding up well, but my braking ability seems to be weak, it has to be my stock pads, I’m going to buy the Hawk LTS and see if my braking is better

 

[Squatch]

Have your rotors turned by a machine shop (not a parts store) before you add the new pads. Clean smooth rotors make braking feel so much better. Machine shops generally know what they are doing and only take off enough to make the rotors flat again.

Then read up on bedding in the new pads. It on;y take a few minutes and a quiet stretch of open back road.