Hard Brake pedal

Hey Guys, I'm looking at a 2012 Tacoma TRD Off Offroad with the automatic transmission with 167k miles. When we test drove it yesterday we noticed that the brake pedal was hard to press down and didn't seem squishy like regular brake pedals. Just wondering if this is a concern or normal?
I'm pretty set on buying this thing tomorrow, if this isn't an issue. I read somewhere that these ORs have an electronic booster for off roading due to the A-Trac system (still not entirely sure what that is?) and I'm not sure if that booster is making it feel different. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks guys

 

Completely normal. You will get use to it. When I first drove mine I almost went through the damn windshield. But I’ve never wished that I had better brakes

 

They aren't touchy, it feels like I have to put some force into the pedal to get it to stop. After that it stops fine. That's my only concern about this thing, cause other than that it's extremely clean. That and it looks like the replacement part is $1000

 

Go test drive another one with the same booster and see if it feels the same. I have never seen one of these electronic units fail. They have been using them for a long time. It may just need to be bled using a scanner. Tough to say without driving it myself.

 

Well that reassurance if they don't commonly fail. Thanks for the advice Bebop

 

IIRC '12 offroads have a hydraulic brake booster not vacuum, that's why the pedal feels firm.

open the hood and look at the master to see if it has the big vacuum booster or not with hydraulic lines.

 

Its the VVT-I and it does not have a big vacuum booster
This is the best picture I have right now

 

That’s the insanely touchy hydraulic booster

 

In the pic I sent? I thought for the trd or auto trans it was only electronic?

 

I've had brake pads that where too hard, I had same issue braking. I exchanged them for softer pads. My problem was solved. Never buy "lifetime" pads.

 

Ok maybe it is that simple. Maybe they just put cheap pads on to sell the truck. It would be really nice if that all it is

 

No it's either hydraulic or vacuum, the pic shows that it is hydraulic which is a good thing, that's why you have better pedal feel.

 

It could be. I would pop wheel off and look at them. Could be worn out pads as well or even something else. I would look through. Its a cheap quick fix if it's the pads. Quality pads and tuned rotors make a big difference in stop power. Without having to put all your weight on peddle. Also check to see if ebrake is engaging by pulling it put truck in drive give it some gas ebrake should hold it.

 

Technically it’s electronically controlled hydraulic braking as opposed to vacuum assisted hydraulic braking.

 

Ok I knew there was some sort of electronics in there as opposed to a traditional vacuum system. Sounds like this is suppose to be a touchier system then?

 

Yeah definitely going to give it a thorough look through because that's my only concern about this truck. I really don't want a costly repair immediately after I buy it.

 

One and only thing I dislike about my truck is the brake feel. It's difficult for me to be smooth on it because I can never get use to it. I drive 4 different cars here and there.

 

Ok so how does yours feel? Is it a hard press? Something you can get use to?

 

Compared to a friend's Sport the brakes feel more precise. There's less give/travel in the pedal before the brakes engage and they seem to bite harder right away.

 

Those electro-boost systems are the shit! That's one of the biggest things that I miss about my OR. The traction control and abs is very well designed. With the 4 separate brake lines coming straight out of the booster, the traction control works very well and responds quickly when you need it