1st Gen Brake setup Recommendations

Evening y’all,

Anyone have any opinions/recommendations for Front brake setups. “2wd- 2rz- 95.5 Taco”
OEM,Drilled/slotted, type of pads/rotors, links to suggestions? Anything and everything is appreciated.


Much thanks!

 

You might just try a set of quality pads.

I have the V6 4x4 with 35" tires and 15" rims. I would have put tundra brakes on, but then I would have to get new rims and tires. Wasn't in the budget but I definitely needed the truck to stop better.

I went with stock size StopTech slotted rotors and Ebc "Yellow Stuff" pads. Definitely noticed a increase in braking performance. They also do create more dust and wear a little quicker.

Overall very happy with them.

 

Just like headlights @crashnburn80 ‘s thread of brake upgrades is invaluable.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-upgrade-stoptech-rotors-trd-performance-pads.523829/

 

I can say that Akibono pads are awesome.

 

I have an 02 PreRunner I just installed Brembo Rotors with Akebono Pads. Good combination that I like based on recommendations others made on here

 

I ran Raybetos rotors and Brembo pads and they didn't last more than 20k miles before the pads were at 20% and the rotors were deeply grooved and warped. Just replaced them last week with OE rotor and pads.

 

If you do any offroading whatsoever don't get drilled. Just imagine gravel getting stuck in a hole..

 

So you ran a diamond against sandpaper and the sandpaper lost? Lol

 

I have carbon steel rotors and ceramic pads. They stop very well and don't see myself ever upgrading from those.

 

Thanks for all the input! Radiator flush this coming weekend and then on to the brakes it is. Won’t be doing any off-roading. My 95 has been lowered and goal is for a nice cruising roll. Needs brakes soon so figured I’d check out everyone’s opinions. Mucho thanks

 

So are you a cruiser or a hooner?

If a cruiser, stock is adequate. If hooner, a pad with a bit more cold bite, some upgraded brake lines and fresh fluid would be noticeable.

 

A “crooner” you could say, my brother has been auto crossing for 10+ years in his first gen single cab Taco, 5 speed, coil overs, c notched, headers, lsd, thicker sway bars all around, and much more. I’ll be pushing this 2rz to close to that level but due to work schedule and time I unfortunately won’t have much time for autoxing right now, definitely want to upgrade though as if I was autoxing, so when I do it’ll be ready.

 

Fellow 5 lugger here. And I should mention I'm a pretty frugal bastard too.

Since the brake lines are probably original and could stand to be replaced, I'd go with stainless lines. I went with StopTech. Be sure to flush out all the old fluid front and back!
This was my second time replacing rotors in a year so I went w/ the cheapest rotor I could find at the time ($15.00 a piece on Amazon in 2021!) and they've held up great! Centric rotors -

$25 Centric 121.44108 C-Tek Automotive Replacement Front Brake Rotor Fits Select 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma

link. Looks like they're $26 right now...
I originally had Duralast GT pads that were supposed to be aggressive and stop great and I hated them. SO MUCH DUST everywhere. I switched to some cheap Duralast ceramic and I feel like they stop better than the dusty ones!

side note: reason this was the second time for rotors was because the original calipers were sticking and I went through a set of rotors pretty quickly. Had to replace calipers and get new rotors...

My DD is a 2012 G37 and I feel like the truck has much better/firmer pedal feel and stops better than the Infiniti.

 

And if you got money to burn:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/5-lug-budget-big-brake-kit-no-caliper-brackets.476849/

 

Much thanks on the info, greatly appreciated the insight to your experience. I’ve got some great choices to consider!

 

I’ve seen this build via YouTube and this forum. Super righteous upgrades. Until I motor swap in the future for my power I think a standard sizing setup will do me Justice. That build though on that Taco is rad!

 

I like the stock Toyota pads. They're nice and quiet and seem to last me about 10 years per set. Got some aftermarket rotors, can't remember which - but they're just a friction surface, so no need for anything fancy there.