Suggestions Please

[atomictaco]

I just bought a 2000 Tundra SR5 4X4 Access Cab. The first thing I noticed was the braking seemed to be weak. I have searched the board and the amount of info available is mind boggling. This rotor, that pad, $600 here, $2200.00 there. I have seen so many options that it looks like you on this board have tried everything, and then some.

I am looking to upgrade my brakes, but don't want tot spend an outrageous amount of money. I am looking for something that will be as economical as possible and still work with my factory 16" wheels. I do tow a boat so I feel a brake upgrade is necessary. Please provide me some suggestions on what the best way to proceed is.

Thanks!

[ICON]

Before you go spending this $600+ make sure your rear brakes are in good order and adjusted properly. Do this then decide if a brake upgrade is really necessary. For the boat, depending on weight, trailer brakes might be in order.

When my bed is full of what ever i need to haul, either 200lbs or even 2,000lbs+(only once) i always felt my brakes were always performing great, for the situation. And i adjust my rears every month w/stock everything.

[MEvang]

It is important to make sure your rear brakes are properly adjust but more important you need to assess what you have. If you just bought the truck you don't know if you have the updated calipers, what pads are on it or what condition the rears are in. I suggest you look up TSB BR001-03 which gives a description of each caliper and then have your brake properly inspected by you if your qualified or a professional. If you don't have the updated calipers then consider doing this upgrade.
I just towed a 25ft travel trailer with mind without any problems. Stopping was good but the trailer brakes made the difference.
Mike

[kknight]

Grasshopper says, "Always know what you're standing on before you jump with eyes wide shut".

You need to pull all 4 corners and do a full inspection. On the front axle, see if you have the TSB calipers or not, and what condition the pads, calipers, & lines, are in. If you don't have the TSB calibers/pads, I would get all four corners up to peak performance and then see if you really need to do the upgrade.

On the rear, check the shoe wear pattern, cylinders & lines for leakage, etc. Then clean, lube, & service. After the rear wheels are torqued back on, you'll need to set the adjusters for a slight drag. There's a TSB for heavy drums but here again, I would get the existing system to peak and then go from there. After you're all done with this, now would be a great time to pick up a bottle of Syn Valvoline DOT 3/4 @ AutoZoner and do a complete brake fluid flush. It's the best $6 you can spend at this point.

Here's a writeup I did on my last brakejob:
2003 Tundra - First Brake Job @ 78000