Rockauto has many options. I'd recommend coated ones.

 

I have had two sets of Toyota brakes and both sets quickly warped. Decided to try something different and found this... Power Stop Front and Rear K6480 Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pad and Drilled and Slotted Rotor Z23 Daily Driver Kit https://a.co/d/c0RSZ0I

Go with the heavy duty towing kit, daily driver kit linked above.

Other than bedding the Power Stop pads as instructed; I am thoroughly impressed with these brakes all around. Still stop quickly and smoothly.

Peej

 

Did the early models come with ceramic brakes?

 

No, and the TRD BIG brake kit was recalled at one point. The PowerStop kit is certainly aftermarket.

Peej

 

Thanks guys. Will check these out.

 

1A Auto - Been using their parts (TRQ) for a while now. Good quality and they have a comprehensive step by step series of vids on YOUTUBE.

 

Thanks

 

I think I read that “warped rotors” are really a misnomer… that it’s actually pad residue burned onto the rotor that leads to an uneven surface and vibrations. The rotors don’t actually deform or warp... and so it’s not so much the rotors fault as it is the pads. And I wonder if the bedding process affects the likelihood of ”warping“?

Any thoughts?

 

In most all cases, that's been my experience. When you get your brakes hot, and then sit at a stop with the brakes engaged, the pads deposit some of their friction material onto the rotor. Once everything cools, that friction material makes the rotors feel warped. The easy solution to "warped rotors" in 90%+ of the cases is to go out, and get the rotors quite hot by repeated hard braking events without coming to a stop, much like the typical bedding process. Once the brakes are good and hot again, the deposited materials come off the rotors and bam!, no more warped rotors. I usually do this on a back country road early Sunday mornings when no traffic is around. I usually do 70mph-20mph HARD braking events, accelerate back to 70, and repeat 5x-8x. After that, I drive for a bit to let the brakes cool and go on my merry way. Usually takes 15 minutes total. Depending on what brakes you're running, be careful to not overheat your brakes to the point they fade. If you get to that point, you can assume your brakes are hot enough...

 

When the stock rotors will not lay flat and gaps can be seen they are warped. Plus those are not bedded in.

The bedding process is a heat tempering process especially used on cross drilled &/or slotted rotors. When done properly it reduces the occurrence of stress cracking on cross drilled &/or slotted rotors. Cross drilled &/or slotted rotors also remove the occurrence of gases building up between the rotors and the pads. Ceramic pads may wear faster but can perform better taking more heat.

I'm not saying Power Stop brakes are the end all be all in vehicle braking. The kits are inexpensive compared to the cost of stock brakes and typical stock style brakes. Inexpensive doesn't mean poor quality either. Yes... cross drilled &/or slotted rotors on an SUV seems odd but the performance still holds up and I've been extremely happy with stopping power and smooth breaking after about 20k miles. They don't look stout, but they seem to be. I'm use to this style rotors being on sports cars. And if I was truly going with a performance brake I'd be purchasing a Brembo or Wilwood kit with upgraded master cylinder. My suggestion is not an advertisement and I'm not getting paid by Power Stop. I did my research and took a chance that paid off. Kits are complete with rotors and pads for fronts and rear. Not sold individually like stock or stock style brakes parts. Found the best price on Amazon when I ordered but feel free to look around. Get what you believe is right for you and your driving style.

Peej

 

When the stock rotors will not lay flat and gaps can be seen they are warped. Plus those are not bedded in.

The bedding process is a heat tempering process especially used on cross drilled &/or slotted rotors. When done properly it reduces the occurrence of stress cracking on cross drilled &/or slotted rotors. Cross drilled &/or slotted rotors also remove the occurrence of gases building up between the rotors and the pads. Ceramic pads may wear faster but can perform better taking more heat.

I'm not saying Power Stop brakes are the end all be all in vehicle braking. The kits are inexpensive compared to the cost of stock brakes and typical stock style brakes. Inexpensive doesn't mean poor quality either. Yes... cross drilled &/or slotted rotors on an SUV seems odd but the performance still holds up and I've been extremely happy with stopping power and smooth breaking after about 20k miles. They don't look stout, but they seem to be. I'm use to this style rotors being on sports cars. And if I was truly going with a performance brake I'd be purchasing a Brembo or Wilwood kit with upgraded master cylinder. My suggestion is not an advertisement and I'm not getting paid by Power Stop. I did my research and took a chance that paid off. Kits are complete with rotors and pads for fronts and rear. Not sold individually like stock or stock style brakes parts. Found the best price on Amazon when I ordered but feel free to look around. Get what you believe is right for you and your driving style.

Peej

How long have you had these now (years/mileage)? How is the finish holding up on the calipers?

I wonder if cross drilled rotors present any issues in dirty muddy environments with debris getting stuck in the holes.

 

I have had this set of brakes going on 4 years now. (I think) About that time my FJ turned into a garage queen for the most part. I have a total of 62k on the clock with about 20K of that with these brakes. Original owner of 08 Auto 4wd purchased 2/21/09 - last fully optioned FJ I could find with Sub and all the other goodies at the time with a national search. That was a rough time for production due to recession and No TT available at the time either. Although I would have preferred a White TT, I like the tri-toned appearance of my Titanium with black rims and bumper trim. Please view my profile for other details. Daily drove it and used it to coach my son's ball teams hauling gear so I have an affection for it or affliction. I do drive hard at times. Had a sports car and sports bike (both with EBC ceramic brake pads) before the FJ so I can be a little hard on brakes admitted. I got the Power Stop set that is rated for towing to add a little more bite. Been watching this forum and others from a far for a while, but thanks to solid advice you will see I have collected a decent inventory on my rig if you look at my profile and the about section here. Last major project was Katskinz leather. I am more into the stock form & look, but with upgraded parts. MAYBE... one day I will do a US Customs winch bumper and when the shocks need replacing again go 6112s. Currently just take the FJ out to enjoy it. No longer a daily driver since I work from home.

Calipers - I painted them myself instead of getting rebuilt calipers from Power Stop. That is all Power Stop does with the calipers. Takes a core charge, gets the old ones in, rebuilds, and paints. No upgraded calipers unless you think paint is an upgrade. Since my stock calipers were in decent condition I kept them. I will say the ceramic brake pads have a little less dust IMO, but there is still dust.

Off Roading issues with cross drilled rotors... Still unlikely but there is a slight increase with the holes being there. But hey, the stock rotors have air cooling vents between the layers and there potentially could be debris could there too. Unlikely. The pads would most likely shave off any debris, and which would allow faster clearing of the trash? I'd think cross drilled &/or slotted rotors that already reduce the build up of gas pressure could give a better and cleaner pad bite on the rotor. My opinion.

Good Luck with your brake decisions,
Peej

 

Extreme Truck and Tow Brake Pad and Rotor Kits | PowerStop

Z36 Truck & Tow Brake Kit uses our carbon-fiber ceramic formula for superior braking power. Designed specifically for heavy loads and towing.

www.powerstop.com

 

Power Stop K138-36 Front and Rear Z36 Truck & Tow Brake Kit, Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads and Drilled/Slotted Brake Rotors
I ordered these last year and so far so good no problems .
Last time I replaced front rotors / pads with OEM within 5k miles started getting the pulsation back from front rotors warping.

 

Last time I replaced front rotors / pads with OEM within 5k miles started getting the pulsation back from front rotors warping.

I think you’re the second owner in this thread with issues of “warped“ OEM rotors. That seems at odds with the general sentiment where many owners seem to be getting 100K Miles plus from the factory brakes with the only issue perhaps being seized calipers from corrosion attributed to lack of brake fluid maintenance. Are there more owners out there with warped rotors than I realize?

 

I'm at 220k miles on my original rotors for what it's worth.

But everyone uses their truck under different circumstances I guess.

I'm also on original brake fluid. I think the brake and PS fluid are my only original fluids. I've never seen any deterioration in either but I think I'll change them both this year.

 

I can certainly say I flush my brake fluid with high quality synthetic Valvoline brake fluid each time I do any brake job.

I'd like to say I got a bad rotor or two in the production run, but it happened twice in separate installs. Maybe my driving style is to blame, but when it shakes the front end violently I know it's time to look for something else.

Never had any brake problems on my '01 Tacoma with over 80k. Just recently noticed Jesse Rizzo did a Power Stop install. Yet, I agree there are not many complaints here about warped rotors.

Peej

 

Anyone have any recommendations for a complete brake kit for my 08?

Been a long time since I've looked.

Front and rear rotors and pads is what I mean. In one kit, hopefully for a decent price.

I bought my last set from amazon or ebay. I dont recall which these came from but they both sell them, depending on the car. They are the Callahan brand, like from the movie "Tommy Boy". I haven't seen them on rockauto though. I have bought many sets for many of my cars and they are very good, consistent quality, and well packaged. I have about 30K on the current set on my FJ and no wobbly stuff yet. It bought a complete set that included all 4 rotors, brake pads, shoes for the ebrake, hardware clips, etc... Not sure if you need all that, but it was nice to just refresh everything at once. I think it was around $280 a couple years ago. You can buy them for just the front or back also. Avoid the junk at the chain stores for sure, sometimes even rockauto has some pretty junky stuff as they are just resellers, but they also have good stuff if you look for it.