thinking about brake upgrades... (1972 5500)
 

Hello fellow heavy haulers! So ive been working on a 1972 GMC 5500 (ill post some pictures in a reply in a bit) and have been having lots of trouble with the brakes. The hydrovac system died on me and Im going to have to replace it, but i wanted to know what everyone else was doing since in the future im thinking about swapping to disk brakes mostly because I know how to work on them better. Braking has felt really stiff on this truck though and I just wanted to get others opinions on what they think I should do for upgrading/modifying the brakes if I were to go that route at some point.

Re: thinking about brake upgrades... (1972 5500)
 

Hy, I believe we have given you the best advice we could over on The Stovebolt Page. It does take a bit of work to track down the pieces of an older heavy trucks braking system. Good luck.

Re: thinking about brake upgrades... (1972 5500)
 

I agree with Bobb but if you're dead set on upgrading to something, grab a Hydroboost and master cylinder from a 2002-2011 2500hd or 3500. 1.5" master bore but metric fittings for brake lines and power steering holes. Bolted right into my 67 c50 firewall although GM might have changed it by 1972

Have to bend up some hard lines and hit up a local hydraulic shop for the hydroboost hoses. Custom fabbed pushrod and some 10lb residual brake valves.

No need to worry about disc brakes. I can already lock up all 4 of my drum brakes- had to install an adjustable valve to limit the flow to the rear brakes.