For nearly three decades, the Toyota Tacoma carried a quirk that baffled plenty of truck fans. While rivals like the Ford Ranger (in 2011) and Chevrolet Colorado (in 2015) bragged about modern four-wheel disc brakes, Toyota stubbornly kept old-school drums on the back axle. That streak only ended with the debut of the fourth-gen Tacoma in 2024.

So why did Toyota, a company known for relentless engineering and reliability, resist the switch for so long? The short answer:

Drums worked just fine for the kind of buyers Tacoma attracted

Rear brakes don’t shoulder the same load as the fronts. In most pickups, the front discs handle about 70% of the stopping force. That made the case for keeping a drum setup simple.

Drums cost less to build, they often last longer under light duty, and they’re more sealed against grit. In off-road environments where the Tacoma built its reputation, drums shrugged off mud and water better than exposed discs.

For Toyota, the choice seemed practical, not just cheap. So, from 1995 to the early 2020s, the automaker stood firm on the rear drum setup.

Still, perception matters.

By the 2020s, a pickup selling in the $40,000 to $50,000 range needed to project modern engineering in every corner

Competitors marketed rear discs as a performance and safety advantage. Buyers started seeing drums not as rugged simplicity but as outdated equipment. Even if the real-world difference was small, Toyota risked looking behind the curve.

That pressure finally came to a head with the 2024 Tacoma redesign

The new truck rolled out with a fresh platform, turbocharged and hybrid engines, upgraded tech, and yes, rear disc brakes across every trim.

Toyota framed the move as part of a wider modernization. In reality, the brand also knew that discs integrate better with advanced stability systems, towing aids, and electronic off-road controls. Heat dissipation under heavy loads is stronger, too, which helps in mountain driving or repeated towing scenarios.

It’s worth noting that Toyota didn’t cling to drums everywhere

The bigger Tundra switched to rear discs in 2022 when it entered its third generation. That only made the Tacoma’s setup look more dated in comparison.

In hindsight, Toyota wasn’t wrong to wait. Drums matched the Tacoma’s rugged image and helped keep costs down during years when buyers prized affordability and reliability above all. 

But times change. By 2024, even loyal Toyota fans expected the basics of modern braking hardware. So, then, now the Tacoma finally stops without looking old-fashioned.