new to me 2009 double cab - soft brakes

Thanks for follow up. We have been towing and driving a lot since I posted, and I have kind of gotten used to the brake feel, but I have the new pads to install when I get some time. I think the tech must have adjusted the rears when I had it checked by the dealer, which accounted for a bit of the increase in pedal feel earlier. Hopefully changing the front pads will help some more. I'll post again when I get the time to do this.

 

Worn front pads will not make pedal spongy. Rear drum brakes that are not adjusted will. Air in lines will. best answer is bleed and adjust brakes.

 

It took me twice to adjust them right. I followed some advice here by pushing the parking brake pedal down just enough to lightly lock the rear wheels that you have to use some force to turn them. Then adjust until you can't move the wheels unless you use both hands with force. Release the parking brake to make sure the wheels turn freely.

I know definitely that the auto adjust doesn't work on mine.

 

Finally got the new front pads installed today. My friend Malcum who owns Series Motor Sport in Hooksett NH did the work while I watched and learned. The brake pedal travel is still longer on this truck than in the other truck, but the brakes work great. The old pads were about 50% gone. We also rebled the system using a vacuum bleeder. I am at least confident that they are now as good as they can be, and I have grown used to the feel of the pedal vs. the other truck I guess...so I am not as worried about it as I was before. Good to know they're good to go, as we are towing the camper next weekend for the last time this year before putting it to bed for the winter. Still in love with this truck.

 

Stainless steel lines helped out my pedal feel a lot. Totally worth it IMO. I just put rears on and noticed a huge difference.