[Reds12t]

11/29/20 Edit: Z1 Motorsports now has 2 piece rotors and BBK available!

Frontier Akebono Big Brake Upgrade Kit

Original Post:

I don't actually have a Frontier, I have an R51 Pathfinder. It shares the same front brakes, spindles and hubs, so I thought you guys would like this information, and might want to use it to upgrade your own brakes.

The Frontier and V6 Pathfinder share the same front brakes. Nissan put a little bit larger brakes on the V8 Pathfinder here in the states, and the diesels offered in the rest of the world. These brakes have 320mm rotors vs 295mm. They are interchangeable, so you can get a little bigger brakes with a cheap and simple swap over to the V8/diesel caliper and rotors. Nice and easy.

Now, I have a V8 Pathfinder with the larger brakes, and have not been happy with how the 320mm brakes perform. I am used to European car/SUV brakes and want my Pathfinder (or Frontier) to perform similarly, so I decided to upgrade. I started digging around, and found that the V8 Pathfinder uses the same calipers as a base model 370z/G37, and the rotors were the same diameter too. A popular upgrade for the 370z/G37 is to swap on the Akebono 4 piston caliper and 355mm rotor from the Sport or Nismo models. So, I figured I could do the same on the Pathfinder. I then found someone else had the same idea and made a thread . They were able to bolt up the caliper successfully to the Frontier, but unable find a rotor that worked.

I searched, and searched, and searched for a rotor that would have the super low height of our rotors and a 355mm diameter. Anything off the shelf would need spacers, adaptors, and modifications to work. I came to the conclusion that I would have to go 2 piece rotors to make this work. Z1 Motorsports makes Akebono swap kits for many different Nissan models and while they don't make one for the Frontier or Pathfinder, they do use the same 2 piece rotor in all their kits. They just use a different hat, or center, specific to each car. I figured I could design and make my own hat using their rotors. They have been helpful in my project so far, and their rotors look really nice.

And after much measuring here is what I came up with:

I was happy with how they fit on the rotor. Let's see how they fit on the truck:

They fit nice and snug on the hub, so how does the caliper fit and line up:

It fit excellently. The caliper is quite wide so I had to throw on a spacer so the wheel can clear the caliper:

And now to hide everything:

That is where I am at so far. Now that I know the design fits, I can pick up the other caliper and some other odds and ends, and actually get the brakes installed.

Just a few notes for future reference:

• It looks like at least 18" wheels are needed to clear the caliper
• The calipers are quite wide, and the stock wheels need a spacer to clear the spokes

My parts list so far:

• 370z Sport Akebono 4 piston calipers
• 370z Sport banjo bolts
• 370z Sport brake pads
• 370z Sport brake pins/clips/shims
• Z1 Motorsports replacement rotor rings and hardware
• Pathfinder braided brake lines
• Custom rotor hats
• 19mm wheel spacers

I will update with more as I get everything installed. If these perform like I am hoping, I may consider making a run of the rotor hat/centers so anyone can put this same kit together on their own.

 

[leeleatherwood]

Good tech!

Do you know of any combo of parts that would fit under stock 16" wheels?

 

[whistler]

EBC make a variety of brake kits for Frontier.Sounds like good quality.

 

[EastCoastSV]

Awesome, I was just looking into options to get more stopping power, too bad don't plan to run 18" wheels.

 

[Reds12t]

Good tech!

Do you know of any combo of parts that would fit under stock 16" wheels?

Thank you! I haven't done anything more scientific then parking my Pathfinder next to a Pro4x Frontier and eyeballing it to see if the 320mm rotors would fit. I don't think they will, but I haven't actually tried it. I would be happy to test fit one over my stock V8 brakes if someone in the Seattle area wants to supply a wheel.

EBC make a variety of brake kits for Frontier.Sounds like good quality.

I have had good results with EBC Yellow and Red Stuff on my Infiniti M45. The Yellow stuff dusted like crazy, and needed a stop or two before the really started to bite, but they performed better then my stock pads. On my last SUV, I had Carbotech make me some pads, and just the pad change didn't produce a big enough result for me. I didn't want to be in that same situation with the Pathfinder, which is why I am doing the Akebono upgrade.

 

[Lit]

Thanks for the great info, I'm very interested to see how it turns out.

As for the V8 Pathfinder brakes fitting a 16 inch wheel.... I have both the Frontier, as well as the R51 V8 pathfinder, and I found that my 16 inch Nismo/Pro4x wheels will NOT clear the V8 Pathfinder calipers on the front. It looks like a 17 inch should clear the calipers but I have not actually tested this.

As for the rear.... With the larger rotor, the caliper mounting bracket would needed to clear the rotors. Unfortunately the pathfinder caliper mounting bracket does fit on the Frontier M226 axle, the mounting holes on the Frontier were actually too far apart.

 

[Reds12t]

Thanks for the great info, I'm very interested to see how it turns out.

As for the V8 Pathfinder brakes fitting a 16 inch wheel.... I have both the Frontier, as well as the R51 V8 pathfinder, and I found that my 16 inch Nismo/Pro4x wheels will NOT clear the V8 Pathfinder calipers on the front. It looks like a 17 inch should clear the calipers but I have not actually tested this.

This is great information, and this is the kind of tech that I was hoping this thread would produce.

So, It looks like these are the wheel sizes required for the front brake upgrades:

• V8 Calipers: 17" Wheels
• Akebono Calipers: 18" Wheels

As for the rear.... With the larger rotor, the caliper mounting bracket would needed to clear the rotors. Unfortunately the pathfinder caliper mounting bracket does fit on the Frontier M226 axle, the mounting holes on the Frontier were actually too far apart.

Eventually I was planning on running the dual piston rear calipers from a 370z, but I have not yet confirmed the lug spacing on the caliper, hopefully it will match up to either the Pathfinder or Frontier. You don't happen to have the measurements from either of those calipers do you?

 

[Reds12t]

So I got the last couple of parts this week and got them installed. It was a thrash session since I needed to get them installed, bled, bedded, and tested in a couple of hours to get ready for a road trip. That's a long way of saying I didn't get pictures of the install. But, they are installed and working. Working quite well. Much more confident, easy to modulate, and just a much better feel. The aggressive, almost race spec pads I chose do squeal a bit, so I may change them out, but otherwise really happy with the brakes.

Peddle feel is good, it's not mushy, and it really feels about like it did before, I'm glad it didn't get really soft or mushy with the bigger calipers.

Here is crummy pictures I took of the brakes out in the wild:

I will get some better shots this weekend.

If you have 18" wheels and want bigger brakes this is a good upgrade!

 

[Reds12t]

Now that I have some time and miles on this set up I wanted to give an update. These brakes work excellently, and this has proved to be an excellent upgrade so far. Pedal feels about the same as stock, which is good, I was afraid it would be soft with the bigger calipers. The Project Mu HC800+ were a little noisy, but after an intense bedding in session, they seem to have quieted down. I have some Posiquiet Ceramics to put in if they start making noise again

I am redesigning the hats to better work with aftermarket wheels and bring down the cost, should have a quote shortly on the redesigned hats.

If you are running 18" wheels and want better brakes, look into this upgrade, it works really well.

 

[TBON512]

I'm interested in seeing the weight and final design of those rotor hats and would buy these if they are reasonable - in case you're keeping a list for a batch.

 

[Reds12t]

You know, I haven't weighed them assembled. The individual parts, the hat, rotor, and hardware add up to around 20lbs per side, or roughly the same weight as the stock rotors. The caliper is fairly light as well since it is aluminum, but I did not compare weights. I seem to remember them feeling roughly similar in weight, not scientific I know, but the Akebonos were lighter than I expected.

The hats in the current design are about $550, and I am shooting for the new design to be around $325. I will keep you updated.

These brakes would look good under your 20" wheels!

 

[TBON512]

Still looking forward to seeing what you come up with for new hats

 

[Reds12t]

Still looking forward to seeing what you come up with for new hats

Between summer travel, App development, and work I got a bit behind on this project. But, I have finally had a chance to do the redesign for the rotor hats. I just submitted the design for a pricing quote, and hope to have an answer back shortly.

The new design is simpler, and has more room on the face for aftermarket wheels and larger diameter spacers. I am trying to get the costs down as much as possible, I would love to see everyone be able to put their own kit together for under $1100.

 

[Reds12t]

I have been working on putting together a DIY kit for the Akebono brake upgrade and have it ready to go.

I put together a kit with all the hard to source parts. All you would need to get to complete the package are calipers and pads (maybe wheel spacers too).

The kit will cost $695 plus shipping and will include:
- Rotors: Z1 Motorsports 14" rotor rings in plain, slotted, or sprinkle slotted.
- Custom rotor hats: black anodized finish
- Rotor hardwear
- Extended Stainless brake lines
- Banjo bolts and crush washers

If you pick up some rebuilt calipers and Posiquiet pads from Rockauto, you can put this kit together for about $925 plus shipping.

I have worked with a few vendors to get the prices down to make these kits, and it would require at least 5 people to buy to get that price going.

I will be able to help with caliper selection, pad selection, wheel fit/caliper clearance and general help as needed. It's all bolt on and made a big difference in my Pathfinder. Just remember, you will need at least 18" wheels to clear these things.

So, is anyone interested?

 

[TBON512]

I am In

 

[Reds12t]

I am In

Excellent! We just need 4 more people to get on board.

You know anyone interested in upgrading their brakes?

 

[TBON512]

Sorry, don't even know anyone else with a Fronty. Not a lot of them have 17 or 18" + wheels, so we may have to wait, but when it is time for new pads/rotors/etc, i always prefer to upgrade to better parts for the extra money, to me its worth it.

 

[forgottenzone]

Akebono Brake Upgrade

Reds12t. Great work.
Love to see when someone does their research and puts together mods like this.
Got to love the Internet in this day and age.
Like you I have VK56 Pathfinder.
It's an 08 LE. Have been modifying her for 7 years now.
She is fastest 1/4 mile Pathy on the record. Still all stock engine internals.
Like yourself I have done all the R&D and made a Dual Stage Intake Manifold fit and work for all VK56DE Platforms.
Enough of my Pathfinder.
I have been looking to find Caliper / Rotor combination to work for our fronts and rears for a while now. Yes there is a 13" Rotor 4 piston caliper upgrade made by AP Racing as all of you know. But it's $2,000 bucks.
It's something about putting things together and making it work on your own, that I love.
I have changed from stock 18 wheels to 17x8 aftermarket also have 50mm spacers.
Hope your setup can fit 17's. I am upgrading to Enkei 15lb wheels. And if not I just might end up going back to 18". I also am in process of making custom control arms. All 8 of them made out of chromoly. So far I have front lower arms done. To OEM specs. They are 10lbs each. VS 18lbs oem. Lighter and stronger.
All front arms fit Frontiers and Xterras.
I might have to go to 18's anyway, since I am getting 2 inch drop spindles made and they also need at least 18's to fit. Go figure.
So yeah. Put me down for your Rotor and parts kit.
As far as Calipers, you mentioned Rockauto and rebuilt ones. They are $129 each, but core is $150, so it comes out to $280 for each rotor. Since we dont have same caliper cores, cost will be $560 for a pair of Rebuild Calipers. Used ones on Ebay are between 6 to 700 as well. Or you can find used front and rears for $750.
I am interested in making the rear Calipers work for our rears. That would be great.
I have a similar setup for my Toyota Cressida, front and rear GTR calipers with Larger rotors.
Keep us posted man. I definitely want your Rotor Hats at least.

 

[forgottenzone]

I wouldn't need the Brake Lines.
I already have the front and back Goodridge SS Braided Brake lines.

 

[Reds12t]

I have changed from stock 18 wheels to 17x8 aftermarket also have 50mm spacers.
Hope your setup can fit 17's. I am upgrading to Enkei 15lb wheels. And if not I just might end up going back to 18". I also am in process of making custom control arms. All 8 of them made out of chromoly. So far I have front lower arms done. To OEM specs. They are 10lbs each. VS 18lbs oem. Lighter and stronger.

I have seen your Pathfinder, and thought we have the same approach to modifications! I reference your threads for ideas, and really like the control arms you are building. And the intake manifold too. What Enkies will you be running, I'm always interested in light weight parts. If they are 17" I doubt the would fit over these calipers, but if you are running a 50mm spacer they might. You can print out a caliper template here: https://conceptzperformance.com/images/Akebono/fronttemplate.pdf

In our application the caliper will be sticking out an additional 12mm towards the wheel.

Put me down for your Rotor and parts kit.

You got it!

As far as Calipers, you mentioned Rockauto and rebuilt ones. They are $129 each, but core is $150, so it comes out to $280 for each rotor. Since we dont have same caliper cores, cost will be $560 for a pair of Rebuild Calipers. Used ones on Ebay are between 6 to 700 as well. Or you can find used front and rears for $750.

You have to watch for a good price on rockauto, they have different options seemingly week to week. I went with new calipers myself, they were around $280 each. But going the rebuilt route can be cheaper, and would be the better option if you wanted to powder coat them a custom color.

I am interested in making the rear Calipers work for our rears. That would be great.

I haven't worked on the rears yet, I'll try to get going on that this weekend