Brake fade after big trip idaho/montanna

While on a 336pmile trip spaning California to montanna with over 300+ miles on forest roads ..i had to stop upruptly to avoid hitting a deer at about 40mpg..I had brake fade coming down to salmon river steep grade ..heavy load topo topper ice cooler full up...camping gear..fly fishin gear..8 gallons of gas 3 gallons water...coming back my abs light came on along with the downhill assit light ..I was able to pull over cool off ..turn truck off reset system ..complete my drive home ... I AM LOOKING FOR INPUT my first thoughts are to completely blend brake line (add extended rear brake lines...just cuz) change front brake pads..I HAVE NO SQUEEKS OR RUBBING NOISES..just a softer pedal than before the trip ...any input other things I should consider

 

“Possible” front rubber brake lines ok??
Sometimes they can soften and expand when under pressure, therefore fading may happen

 

...they got pretty hot I will look into it thanks for sharing

 

Rear brakes might need adjustment. If they are out the pedal will be mushy. Might think about changing your brake fluid also .

 

Brake fluid for sure ..the rear are self adjusting I have serviced the rear brakes/drums..ah..well..ya it has been several years ..now ...I'll look into it ...good point

 

Lotta weight there with larger diameter tires. Downshift on grades and stay off the brakes as much as possible.

 

I tried as much as possible ..Steep switch back roads for miles .... 285/75/16's

 

Had a similar issue coming out of the Big Horns in Wyoming a few years ago. Instead of fishing-I did and never fixed the problem do this in stead (If you have 17" rims): the big brake upgrade using 4Runner parts. 2nd Gen DIY Big Brake KIt -OEM parts- Part #'s provided (INSTALLED) | Tacoma World Makes a world of difference in the second gen braking performance.

 

I have a OR with 16" wheels .I was wondering if this mod would work with 16"...????

 

My understanding is that there are some wheel combinations, but others will know more ad I did not try any. 17's or bigger are what is recommended. Read through that link I attached-I think there is some discussion about that topic and some places to look for answers.

 

See:
Brake Upgrade: StopTech Rotors + TRD Performance Pads | Tacoma World

I use PowerStop rotors and Z36 pads on front and rebuilt my calipers and have braided lines then did complete rear rebuild and lines solving my issues but again many opinions on these and others so read above.

 

I have tried aftermarket kits before they do improve stopping distance ...for a year or so ...but they don't seem to ever have a long life span of milage...I would maybe consider tundra calipers but nit sure if it will work with 16" wheels

 

@killerkeener I recently did the gravity feed/bleed method to change the brake fluid in my truck. It's an easy, one person, no pumping the brake pedal job. I was very suprised how much the stopping power of the brakes improved.

 

I think this is a good starting point I have NEVER changed the brake fuild pretty sure it's from 2011 and pretty sure it heated up and degraded ...

 

Got a link describing this method?

 

I watched several videos on the process taking points that I liked and used while discarding points that I didn't like or use. I do this with youtube mechanic videos.
I'll go back into my history and find them.

 

Do they still fade or was this just the one event. If just the one event it was most likely overheated fluid in which case a change is in order if for nothing more than piece of mind. if they still fade then something else is going on like rubber brake line degradation, upgraded soft lines are always a good idea...

 

@Steelhead Bum I've attached 3 videos. The first one by who I refer to as Mr. Rogers (Neighborhood) has a good explanation of gravity feeding. A little too detailed at times, but still good info. The second one reminds me of Ed Forman (That 70's Show) is a good hands on video. The third one of two short clips of takeaways from other videos that I used in addition to what "Red" did in his video.

Mr. Rogers Video
https://youtu.be/5Mkj2fRmTws

Red Forman Video
https://youtu.be/9zih53oUUKQ

Short Clips
https://youtu.be/6dsHs9Jf92k

 

How long has it been since you've bled the brakes? You should replace fluid every 2 years.

I had brake fade issues even with fresh brake fluid with the stock rotors and pads too but the pads and rotors were getting thin at the time that has been resolved with Stoptech cryo slotted rotors and TRD brake pads. I installed SS lines at all the corners at that time too but it's hard to say if it was just the pads/rotors that made the difference or if the brake lines contributed to the improvement.

 

i used to do track days. they make brake fluid that resists heat better, which IMHO is the leading cause of brake bleed. you are literally boiling the fluid. the problem with race brake fluid is that it needs to be changed way more often. it soaks water easily. i would flush system bare minimum.