Level Sync and Equipment

[Estellios]

I'm pretty sure the game just sets your items down to match the level you get synced to (so syncing to level 34 sets your gear at item level 34). Cavalry stuff is above the item level so it is probably stronger than higher-level items that are synced down.

As for you dying, Brayflox is where the dungeons start getting serious and it is a step up in difficulty for a healer so the increase in damage might have just blindsided your healer. Wearing your higher level gear is adequate (I've done so many times on my own PLD).