Brake Upgrades for the LC120

[IMm29 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IMm29]

Hi Guys,

Looking for your inputs on how to improve the brake feel of my rig. I'm from Manila, PHL, and my 120 is mainly a city dweller. Currently rolling on 20" wheels. Braking from 80-100 kph or more can sometimes turn hairy. Initial bite is ok, but then there is some fade. So when you initially thought you could make the distance, it turns out a split second later, the brakes are fading.

Currently, I'm on stock rotors front and rear, and on Bendix CT/General Pads. I tried the Metal Kings for a while up front, but they didn't seem to add much additional bite, plus they were dirtier and noisier, so I went with the lower end CT pads.

I tried drilled and slotted rotors, but they weren't much better too. Could better pads (your suggestions, of course) be a good solution? Anyone tried going with DOT4 fluid on stock lines? Anyone try upgrading to SS braided lines?

Thanks in advance.
IMm29

[timmay5.7 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmay5.7]

Given you are on 20" Rims, you probably don't go offroad much, maybe look at getting slotted rotors also.

[IMm29 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IMm29]

Yeah, I was on Slotteed and drilled for a while. Took them out coz they warped. Didn't really feel much more bite, so it wasn't a big loss in stopping power.

[timmay5.7 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmay5.7]

Depends, are you after more 'bite', or just reducing the brake fade?

[IMm29 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IMm29]

Hmmm... you're right. I'm referring to 2 different things.

My bigger concern is the fading when braking from high speed. The slotted and drilled rotors just felt like OEM in terms of bite and fade, so that didn't help much. Plus they warped. Would've used them more if they didn't warp, to get more of my investment. Anyhow, I've returned them to the supplier and he's giving me new ones as replacement.

Any alternative pad suggestions? I'm sure they'll cost me more than the bendix, but if they'll stop me faster then I think it would be a good idea. Toyed with the DOT4 upgrade. Won't this have ill effects on the stock lines/brake system?

[raydes Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close raydes]

DOT 4 brake fluid is not compatible with the seals in the Toyota brake systems, it may work for a while but the seals will go soft and leak. ( seals in master cylinder/wheel cylinder/callipers )

[grande1810 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close grande1810]

Try sourcing brakes from RDA, Rotors & Drums Australia, I use their RDX pads all round on mine. Great pedal feel ,hot or cold.

[IMm29 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IMm29]

DOT 4 brake fluid is not compatible with the seals in the Toyota brake systems, it may work for a while but the seals will go soft and leak. ( seals in master cylinder/wheel cylinder/callipers )

Yikes! Almost learned this the hard way as I was gonna do a flush and fill tomorrow. Got the brake fluids ready.

[Monty234 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Monty234]

I just fitted new dba rear slotted t2 design rotors and bendix 4x4 pads with titanium stripe alls good pulls up well changing front next.

[IMm29 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IMm29]

Hmmm... Quite a lot of contradicting information on the internet about DOT4 working/not working on Toyota brake systems.

[KZJ95W Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close KZJ95W]

DOT4 is compatible with Toyota brake systems. I've been using DOT4 on mine for about 6 yrs now with a 2-yr replacement/flush. It's DOT5 that isn't compatible. That's why a DOT5.1 was developed

[IMm29 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IMm29]

Was there any improvement compared to DOT3?

Got an order for Bendix 4WD. If there's any improvement over DOT3, I'll have the brake fluids flushed first to test, prior to installing the new pads to check if that improvement will be enough for the moment. Current pads are still good, but do not perform as I'd want them to.

[raydes Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close raydes]

DOT4 is compatible with Toyota brake systems. I've been using DOT4 on mine for about 6 yrs now with a 2-yr replacement/flush. It's DOT5 that isn't compatible. That's why a DOT5.1 was developed

I would be very careful with that statement ( DOT4 is compatible with Toyota brake systems ) it clearly states in the Toyota hand book DOT 3 . if you or anyone else want to use DOT 4 that's their business but if the brakes fail we all know who to blame now. If you contact the brake fluid manufactures they will also say DOT 3 ,they don't want to get sued when the s++t hits the fan .

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

Hi Guys,

Currently rolling on 20" wheels. Braking from 80-100 kph or more can sometimes turn hairy. Initial bite is ok, but then there is some fade. So when you initially thought you could make the distance, it turns out a split second later, the brakes are fading.

IMm29

What is your overall increase in diameter going from 17in to 20in?

Bigger rims / tyres means bigger rotors or more caliper pistons and better cooling, simple physics. Thats why I didn't increase my tyre profile too much.

[IMm29 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IMm29]

What is your overall increase in diameter going from 17in to 20in?

Bigger rims / tyres means bigger rotors or more caliper pistons and better cooling, simple physics. Thats why I didn't increase my tyre profile too much.

Rolling on 265/50r20 now. So overall diameter is still the same.