3rd Generation 4Runner Front Brake Upgrade

So after the spring Colockum crossing attempt, I limped home with a number of front end issues, among them pretty warped rotors, possibly from water immersion after some hard downhill braking with a lot of Basalt mud coating the undercarriage.

So, before I address some rear brake issues under warranty, I opted to eliminate the front brake problems, and in doing so upgrade the front brakes.

There is a lot of discussion regarding this upgrade on the interweb with varying degrees of validity (just google "4Runner Tundra Caliper Conversion"), but the long and short is that the Tundra trucks and some Sequias have basically the same rotor diameters and Caliper mounting as the 3rd Generation 4Runners (and some Tacomas).

The upgrade revolves around swapping the larger Tundra calipers and thicker Tundra rotors. Basically, if your stock equipment is in serviceable condition this is a direct bolt on conversion.

I opted to use the smaller Tundra 199mm calipers from ~2001 Tundra pickup (2wd or 4wd) to ensure they would clear pretty much any 16" wheel combination (factory or after market). There is also a larger 231mm caliper (~2003 Tundra Pickup, also 2wd or 4wd), but from what I have read this is where the wheel clearance issues may come up.

Parts I used (all Napa part #'s):

• 4886931- 2 pcs, 2001 Tundra front Rotors, Premium
• SE3183- 1 pcs, 2001 Tundra Caliper w hardware
• SE3184- 1pcs, 2001 Tundra Caliper w hardware
• UP-7687-X - Kit, Brake pads, front, 2001 Tundra (ceramic)

The calipers have a core charge of 50% of the total cost. I had no issues returning the 4Runner cores.

Total cost: $349.57 after receiving the core credit back.

The installation is pretty straight forward- simply replace the 4Runner parts with the Tundra parts, bleed lines and bed pads.

Took me 1.75 hrs from rolling in the truck to rolling out, but I have not yet bedded the pads (awaiting the rear brake work).

I anticipate this will be a worth while upgrade to the somewhat marginal (at best) factory braking capabilities. It is a harmless upgrade, though, as returning to the original set up involved simply swapping back the original parts.

This upgrade should be applicable to most all 4Runnedrs and Pickups, 1996-2001, as one of my spindles is stock (1997 4runner) and one is a replacement (donor vehicle: 2001 Tacoma).

Here are some pics:

Parts ready to install

The unwitting subject in the cramped garage

Stock set up

This is why we do this:

Finished Product

No problems clearing the dust shield on either side (4Runner or Tacoma spindles), and the calipers clear both the stock 16" Alloys and the Steel spares.