u/Jav_Bez

If you are still on the fence on this upgrade, DO IT! The hype is real. I have a 2005 limited with 240k that I use to tow a 17ft boat with regularly and the brakes has always been lacking, the weakest link. Braking suddenly or even slowing down always felt like you had to give yourself plenty of room; it felt this way even when not towing which was frustrating. I did the upgrade this weekend and WOW the confidence this thing have now stopping is 10 folds. when people comment that this is how Toyota should’ve made the brakes to begin with they were not lying. 100% recommend. Feeling safer on the road. After the initial install and test drive, the brake pedal felt super soft so I bled the lines for a second time and they are rock solid now. A lot of air was removed the second time. Prior to the second bleed I also drove it a couple of miles on a dirt road and slammed on the brakes a bunch to engage the ABS module. I believe alot of air that was trapped was removed after this was done.

My goal was a budget friendly setup and so I’ve been monitoring rockauto for deals and they had an inventory closeout deal and I had to jump on it. I know folks are gonna hate on the brand choices but at this price it was a no brainer to give it a shot.

All from rockauto - closeout prices except for the pads
Cardone 13WA calipers: $36.79ea
Durago rotors: $23.79ea
Powerstop pads:$45.79
Machining $40ea (local)
All in was about $275 with the shipping

Extremely happy, especially at the price point of replacing calipers and rotors for stock ones.

I been thinking about ways to maximize the money i have saved. Here's the current situation:

Salary is about $80K a year and my wife makes about the same $80K. We sold our house a few years back and moved in with my Parents to take over their mortgage. They're getting older, need the help and they have the space for us and our kids. We made about $120K off of selling our house. I'm trying to think of the best way to use the money we currently have saved up which is about $220K. Do we continue to let it sit in our money market account (3-4%) or do we look to pay off some of the debt we have and slowly rebuild the savings? What would be the ideal and smart approach here? What are some things i should consider? We don't make a lot of money like some folks here but we have been fortunate enough to be saving money here and there to be where we are at.

Mortgage - $146K left @4.375% ~$1570 a month

My Student loan - $27K left currently on hold since COVID

401k has about $150K

Individual stocks ~$35K

Both cars paid off

no other debt beside typical living expenses such as phone bill, a few subscriptions, internet and utilities.

GX460/4Runner brake upgrade