2002 "Unicorn" Front Brake Pads

I'm replacing the front rotors and pads on my brother's 2002 AC Limited 4x4 4.7 L V8. I walked into the local Toyota dealer with his VIN and bought the parts. I got the old stuff off the passenger side front, installed the new rotor, started to insert the first new pad, but it wouldn't fit. It was about half an inch taller than the slot on the caliper. I double checked the part number on the invoice against the number on the part box and they matched. So, it was back to Toyota.

The guy at the parts desk double checked the invoice, ran in the back, and brought out a second set of pads, but they were half an inch taller still than the first ones they gave me. Then he had an "a-ha" moment. What he told me was that this Tundra was from early in the 2002 model year and the factory was still using parts from the previous model year! He didn't have the pads I needed, but was able to order them and get them the next day (today). They were in a box with Toyota / Lexus markings, but it was black and white rather than red and white. Sure enough, these pads fit perfectly and we were able to finish the job.

The WRONG part number (which is usually the right one) was:
04465-AZ200
The RIGHT part number for these early 2002 model year Tundras was:
04465-0C012

It seems ludicrous that the Toyota parts system wouldn't know the difference when looking up a part by VIN, but it happened to me.

 

Advics makes the [Toyota OEM] brake pads and lots of other brake stuff. You'd have been better off just buying Advics.

https://aisinaftermarket.com/online

Buying Advics' part via RockAuto, I paid less than OEM, got the correct fit, and it came with all springs, all necessary shims pre-glued on to the pads, and I think it even came with the grease you need to install on the back of the pads.

 

My dealer parts dept always asks me for my VIN to confirm what part number is correct. However, I now go with the cheaper Toyota made ceramic pads they make which fit. (I have the caliper upgrade even though my truck was made 2/02).

 

There was a TSB to upgrade the early truck calipers to the larger calipers if customers complained about longevity or rotors warping. Seems like late 2002 or early 2003 for the larger calipers installed at factory.

The smaller calipers on the truck you service use D812 brake pads (for caliper S13WE). The larger calipers on later trucks use D976 pads (for 13WL caliper). Even if you had searched rockauto, its likely both sizes of pads would be offered, as many trucks received the larger calipers later on.

Hopefully your brothers truck will not need brakes for a while, but just something to keep in mind for next time.

 

This.

Have to check the caliper casting to know which ones are on the truck.

 

I still want to know why the dealer didn't give me the right pads even though he looked up the parts with my VIN. The VIN is supposed to be the key to getting the right parts.

 

Dealerships are full of idiots. All the older guys that knew their stuff are gone. Most parts guys now are young kids. I got coolant and a radiator cap for my wife’s Camry, I had the part #. Guy still wanted VIN, I told him just get me this part #. He rolled his eyes and told me it might not fit. They’re shit nowadays.

 

system shows both part numbers as ok. The system isn’t as sophisticated as you would think.

 

The calipers were changed after the truck was made so the vin doesn't show the updated calipers.

 

Usually when this is the case, there's some kind of legend in the exploded to give you a start/end cutoff date or VIN. But even then, unless OP owned the truck from day 1, you never know what a previous owner may've done, including upgrading the calipers/pads/rotors.