yea, I have had a lot of brake problems over the past 12 months with my 4runner. Part of the problem was a bad rear seal that leaked grease all over one drum so I did a complete seal and bearing replacement thanks to internet and NAPA.
Once I got my axle and brakes together, I put carbon metallics on front with new rotors. I was not happy with the results so I took them off and went back to old pads.
Then, during the bedding process with old pads, I warped the autozone rotors. Ugh!!!
So I went to NAPA and bought premium rotors and installed them.
Still not the best performance out of brakes (little to no lockup)
I almost ordered tundra calipers from a local junk yard, but thought I would try another adjustment on the rear brakes.
I tightened them up and took it for a ride. Huge difference, now they stop on a dime and will lock up with ABS kicking in.
I backed off a bit on one and still good.
I am assuming there must be a very fine line of too much shoe drag and poor braking performance with the adjustment of the rear shoes.
Has anyone else had this experience?

 

I too did the Tundra Upgrade on my '98 4runner. Here is my install thread: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/0...runner-146160/

I decided on this upgrade as I wanted to have better braking performance over all and avoid over heating and warping of my stock 4runner rotors. If you are looking at having to replace your current rotors and brakes then take a look at upgrading to the Tundra calipers and then going with NAPA Ultra Premium rotors and Adaptive One pads.

Originally, I obtained the rotors and the OEM pads off a 2001 Tundra that had under 100,000 miles (odometer indication), if they had been replaced before I did not k now, but it was all there, and I got the calipers, rotors and pads for $50 (total). $28 to have the rotors turned and hand burnished the OEM pads to give them a smooth fresh surface to bed into the turned rotors.

You could effectively save some cash by just picking up a set of the calipers for around $50 depending on your local wrecking yard prices. Check them out carefully to ensure no damage to the castings. Pick up the new NAPA parts mentioned below and you will have a solid no worry front braking system. You should not have to worry about having to "rebuild" the pistons. Toyota factory mechanic at my local dealership told me in the 10 years he has seen the Tundras coming in he has yet to have to rebuild any calipers.

My total investment in my initial upgrade then was less then $100. 18 months later I started to get a bit of shimmy when I braked, but not all the time, took the truck to Midas to have it inspected and then to get an estimate. This told me what I needed to do and I found out that my right rotor would not turn (below minimum legal limits) and the left would go one more time.

Went to NAPA and picked up the Ultra Premium rotors along with a set of the Adapative One composite pads. These are a bit unique in that they are matched, inner to outer, with different compouonds for each side of the set. Super easy to install, if you can do the upgrade then you can do the rotor and pad install. I was VERY impressed with these pads and rotors! Install was like I said EASY!

Been over a year now and they are still performing with outstanding stopping performance. Check out this link about Adaptive One pads. http://www.adaptive1.com/

Here is the spec sheets and costs for the rotors and pads.
Ultra premium rotors:http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Det...+50070+2070029

Adaptive One pads (199mm calipers): http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Det...+50070+2070029

Adaptive One pads (233mm calipers): http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Det...+50070+2070029

Be sure to get the right pads for the calipers as there are two different size pads depending on your caliper size.

As for me, the rotors were $90 ($180 for the pair) and another $45 for the pads. I would recommend these to anyone who wants to do the upgrade. Hope this helps provide some more information on upgrading. They really do make a difference

 

Ritzy I knew you would chime in haha.. good information here. I will hopefully be doing the upgrade soon myself. It's gotten to where I have to shift down if I need to stop fast (and I drive an Automatic) cus I can't stop quick enough. But with money going to the rear axle service right now, I gotta wait.