Watch this before buying Toyota brake pads for your 4Runner!!!

Don’t be fooled with tricky marketing when buying replacement brakes.

In regards to the 4Runner specifically Toyota markets two different tier levels of replacement brake pads at drastically different prices.

The pads you want, and your vehicle came with from the factory are referred to as TFR or Toyota Factory Replacement. These are the same pads that were made in Japan and installed on the brand new vehicle. They are high quality and generally regarded as some of the best. These are the pads that get used on your vehicle if there is a warranty issue. The part numbers for the TFR brakes are:

Toyota has a lower tier of pads that are made cheaply in the USA to compete with budget aftermarket options. These are often marketed at TCMC or Toyota Complete Maintenance Care. They are Toyota branded brakes and you can get them from the dealership for much less money but they are not the same high quality pads. These are the pads the dealership will use if they do a brake job. They tend to squeal, create a lot of brake dust, and simply not last. You do not want to buy these unless you have to.

TCMC Budget Part Numbers
Front 04465-AZ001
Rear 04466-AZ103

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[IamLuisAlvarez]

This man deserves a medal! God bless America!

[brandonlee]

The 5th gen 4Runner doesn’t have the best braking system for such a heavy vehicle so anyone reading this comment can’t cheap out on pads, hardware, rotors and all that. Thanks for making this video!

[takeshi]

Brakes, out of all things in the car, are one area I wouldn't want to go Cheap and Skimp on and cut corners. I'd rather get great quality brakes and make sure they're installed properly. One's own life and safety is just too important than saving a few bucks.

[waynesmith]

Thanks for this vid. My wife's highlander has been squealing after Toyota did her brake service. They keep telling us everything is good and they have had a problem with the pads. Wish I knew I have no problem paying for the better parts. 😮

[morpheus]

Very important info! Thanks very much TJ!

[Zukuri]

In most cases, Advics (Sumitomo) a division of Aisin manufactures Toyota's TFR Brake Pads. Available through Rock Auto and they always have a 5% off coupon. FYI, dealers markup on parts is about 40%, so ALWAYS haggle with them on their prices. NISSIN also makes OEM Japanese pads, and so does Akebono. Having tried them all over the course of almost 600, 000 miles, I can say that the NISSIN and Advics are the best, the Akebono formula generates more dust and are harsher on the rotors.

[frankfrank]

I was told that the difference between them is that the original pads that came with the car are semi-metallic, whereas the cheaper ones are ceramic. However, metallic pads last longer because it actually wears the rotors instead. That’s one of the reasons they last longer. But rotors are more expensive in parts and labor than pads. When the two meet to stop the car, something has to wear out.

[OffshoreBluewater]

I purchased the cheaper Toyota pads. They actually say made in Japan. Replaced them myself with the supplied grease. No squeak whatsoever. Super happy I got my “cheaper” ones.

[jeremychrist]

What is your recommendation for breaking in new pads with new rotors?

[ilanblondy]

Thank you so much for the quick informative review straight to the point 🤙🙏🏼own trial edition premium 2014 and this is great information

[maxagent]

Do these part numbers also apply to the FJ Cruiser? Mechanically they are the same as the 4Runner. Thanks for the video.

[TOYguy-]

Great video. Thank you! For the 5th Gen 4Runner: Front brakes *BUY OEM #04465-60320 (DON’T buy the front ceramic #04464-AZ200). For the Rear brakes: *BUY OEM #04466-60140 (DON’T buy the Rear ceramic #04466-AZ208). Easy job. Good luck!

[gibstera]

Thank you for sharing the information. Never knew this information. I just had a break job. Had to replace the front rotor too. The original rotor was warped so I decided to replace them and with OEM Toyota cheap pads. Not aware of the better quality pads. Shyt! Thank you for sharing.

[joesaraceno]

I had brakes done at the Toyota dealership on my 4Runner a few months ago and they squeak so loud when they are cold, wet or if they get dirty from driving on a dirt road, now I know why. Thank you sharing this information!

[hahaahahahahahahah]

Can you do a video on rotors? Is the same with them? Thanks

[QualityVacationRentalHousekeep]

Are there 2 different types of Toyota rotors like these brakes or the rotors have only 1 kind Toyota brand?

[closetcleaner]

Would they still make the TFR pads for older Gen 3 models? Let's say 1998? Thanks for the info!

[VinnieDiScala]

Hi Jake, I have a 2021 SR5 Premium and when i put your link in TCMC Budget Part Numbers
Front 04465-AZ001, Amazom is saying the they do not fit my vehicle. Is there a different part number for the 2021 front pads ?

[jeffusrangerairborne]

Wait a minute. Did you say you are at 90k miles on those "STOCK" or "ORIGINAL MANUFACTURE" TOYOTA BRAKE PADS?
Interesting.... Consider I just had to change my Wife's 2020 4Runners Front Brakes Pads and Rotors due To Rotor Warping and The Brake Pads mainly the inners pads, Down to Damn Near Nothing at 34k Miles. And Yes They Are The Original Rotors and Pads (Blue color).
Note: I also Changed the Rears to Match the Front Upgrade as Well, and The Rear Brakes Were Replaced back in September 2022 due to Being down to Nothing as Well. Toyota Brakes on the 4Runner ( My wife's Vehicle for Sure) were $#it from Day One. they Felt Mushy and Not Very Aggressive. And as to the Rears, I learned Back on Her Venza from before, that Toyota Uses Their Stability Control System/Braking Assit, Yada Yada Yada, via the Rear Brakes. Causing the Excessive Rear Pads wear. But You got 90k miles on Those. WOW

[fincity]

good info. Thank for making this video.