Loss of power and front end shaking

[Geolander]

'95 manual 4wd here.

I was driving in moderate rain the other day when I experienced a series of problems. First, my AC cut out, then about 20 miles later, I had a sudden loss of power (had been driving 70 easily, then was struggling to reach 60), and shortly afterwards, the whole front end started shaking pretty violently when I got over 40 or so. I also noticed that I couldn't depress the brake pedal very far and when I came to a stop, I could smell burning brakes. Unfortunately, this happened on the way to the airport (and fortunately, right by the exit to the airport), so I just parked in the airport lot as I had planned and caught my flight. This means that I have no access to my truck, so I can't test anything.

One further note: the check engine light has been on for over 1000 miles, so I have no idea if it threw a new code. The existing one was for the egr system and I was told that it wasn't a big deal.

Any ideas?

 

[DC runner]

Wow.

Honestly. NO idea. Your explanation could lead to about 1000 different things. At this point, you need to pull the codes and maybe have it professionally diagnosed. Without seeing it, anything we say will be near worthless.

You could have lost a cylinder or had a brake lock up. You could of lost a belt and lost your AC. Your master cylinder could be shot.

See what I mean. When you have that many things wrong, it multiples the possible problems. It could be 1 or 20 different things and the internet can't help all the time.

My first step? Pull that code.

 

[Geolander]

I'm fairly certain that the loss of AC is unrelated to the later problems, since they were separate by 20 miles or so with no other issues.

My first guess on the second set of issues was locking brakes. Combination of loss of power with no sign that the engine itself was laboring, shaking at speed that got progressively worse (brakes clamping down), and burning brakes smell when I stopped. The main question is: what was the cause? Was it just water getting in and sending the abs haywire? Or hydro locking? Or am I on completely the wrong track?

Some further info: spark plugs were changed about 1000 miles ago, oil was changed about 100 miles ago, belts were changed a year (3000 miles) ago. Engine wasn't overheating and oil pressure was normal.

I can't do anything until I get back from my conference on Saturday, and once I do get back, I need to figure out if I can even make it the 50 miles home.

 

[ozzyleven]

I think there are a few things that can cause a brake to lock up, one I know of is crushed/collapsed brake line. If you search around you will probably find other causes. Regardless, this is a sign that the whole system probably needs an overhaul. You didn't mention the last time the brakes had been serviced.

 

[fourwd1]

Actually, the AC belt idea above may not be off.
If the same belt turns the alt you could be running off the battery,
The. When battery voltage gets low the EFI system won't work right,
so it would run very rough, to the point it could shake badly.