Better or more reliable front calipers for my 06 Prerunner?

Over time my front brake calipers will start locking up. The pistons are binding/frozen in the housings. This happened once when my pads and rotors were almost brand new. I change my pads long before they're too thin, so the pistons aren't coming out too far.

One side will start locking up and then the other follows suit.
I've replaced my front calipers with stock OEM from Toyota and then I've replaced them with aftermarket remans 2 times over the years of me owning the truck. There is no difference in performance or longevity. All failed the same way.

Is there a better front brake caliper out there that is a direct replacement, like one from a lexus or something? Maybe a better built brand or even a known mod that I can do to them? I'm wondering if the fluid is not moving freely between piston bores. I haven't torn any down to investigate. Not yet..
I don't want to spend a lot of money for a super expensive overkill brake setup when the stock brakes with good pads and rotors are more than adequate for a daily driven truck.

Thanks in advance for any info shared.
Pallnet

 

Following as I am in need of calipers as well. 8 years and 80 on the original oem calipers. Already ordered everything else except fluid

 

Most people do tundra brake upgrades, but in your case it won't help with reliability.

What region are you in? lots of salt? heat?

I'd make sure its coated for corrosion, all of them are likely the same reman, but I would lean towards centric brand or power stop brand.

 

I live in south Louisiana just north of New Orleans. I've always taken the time to paint my calipers black, because they're just bare metal. Everything is lubed where it needs to be. It's a problem with the caliper, because the pistons are stuck when I removed them. It's not a hydraulic lock caused by a failed ABS system or anything like that.

I think I'm going to order new brake hoses for it and replace them for the 2nd time. This time I will go with stainless braided replacements over stock OEM Toyota parts. I don't think it's the cause, but the cost is minimal compared to a possible failure and the accident it could cause.
Thanks
Pallnet

 

This a a common toyota truck brake caliper problem. The four piston design seems to allow the pistons to get slightly cocked in their bores and they freeze up as the pads wear down. My original fronts lasted to 80K, which is pretty good but it needed 100% new calipers, rotors, pads, hardware. Even my old 93 pickup had the same issue.

A lot of people do the tundra or 4runner larger brake set, not sure if it stops this issue though.

Seems like you could do a preventative tear down and rebuild the of calipers (the kit is cheap I think) if you did it more often before they freeze up. (like every 25K maybe?)

 

i heard on speed academy recently that they suggest that you take your brakes apart once a year and clean them and relube/grease as needed. sounds like a good idea.

 

2x if in salt country or routinely submerged in mud/water. Most here are afraid of their drum brakes and they need the love just as much to keep them smooth.

But it is unlikely this routine service work will help the pistons in the caliper bores, although it certainly wont hurt