Sluggish Brakes

Noel,
I have the same vehicle and often travel with a big load and often towing.

At my last change I put Bendix 4wd pads on as I had heard good reports. This is against my normal tendency to only use genuine parts for critical things like filters and brakes.

I am very happy with them other than the need to give them a moderatly hard application after you start each day. I don't know why but the first use is always tends to poor. This is also reported by others and so it is not a vehicle problem. After this I have found them good and very resistent to fade.

Brakes are so important that if you have any doubts I would get them checked over by a reputable service place. I have had several places recommend DBA rotors as providing a significant improvement but have not yet tried them. My originals still have plenty of life left.

I do now tend to replace the pads when they get down to below half thickness as that is when I think I start to notice fade under heavy use.

cheers

Noel,

Check the front wheel bearings. If there is any play in the bearings this will effect the brakes.

Wayne

Check your loaded weight

May be more a case of working them too hard as havent had any trouble even towing a big van.

check to see if it has a "load compensating valve", 100 series i dont know but assume they do .... may not be working or needs adjusting
Also if you have either air bags or raised rear suspension it will affect the rear brakes as the compensator will not apply more pressure for any added weights .... that happened to me, fitted air bags and when loaded it was sluggish on braking as i had pumped it back up to normal ride height and it "assumes" you DONT have any weight so it does not apply more pressure to the brakes, when braking you are trying to stop an extra ton with same pressures ...... if you can understand that ???
Cheers
Joe