New Brakes - Hydroboost or 1-ton Booster

[rpatowers]

I'm getting ready to replace the brake system on my 72 1/2 ton Chevy 4 x 4. I'm tired of driving a truck with crummy brakes and I plan on doing some towing with my truck, so I want to have a system than is better than straight stock.

I've been reading the forum (a lot) and talking with suppliers and I've determined that I should go one of two ways:

1. Put in a hydroboost system

or

2. Use a 1-ton booster on a regular system

The guy who I will be purchasing my stuff from recommends #2. He says that with the 1-ton booster I will have plenty of stopping power, will save money when compared to the hydroboost system, and my foot wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two. However, I kind of like the idea of a hydroboost because it is a very good system and will be nice improvement for my truck. But I don't want to just throw away money because I think the hydroboost is a neat system.

Which way would you go? Are any of you running a 1-ton booster in you 1/2 ton system? How well does it work?

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks, folks.

[stsalvage]

If your only running a single stage booster and not a duel stage then yes it will work better You know if you really want the better braking get bigger brakes mabey run rear disc brakes Maybe run a dual piston caliber or a 4 piston caliber now that will put you throw the windshield.

One other thing how old is your engine what type of vacuum do you have.In my 1965 3/4 ton truck it has over 550,000 miles on it and my motor is tired has some blow by and my vacuum is ay 9-11 pounds stock is 16-18 pounds so i'm a little under vacuum makes my booster not work as well so do some checking on your brakes first before3 swapping parts.

one other thing your master cylinder might not be big enough for the mount of fluid you want to push if you change booster change to the big master cylinder look at my 1965 that i put disc brakes on i have the dual plunger booster with the big master cylinder on my 1965 3/4 ton remember on the 3/4 ton trucks i'm running 11 to 12 inch disc brakes most stoping power

[OldCreek]

I run a 1 ton booster on my K5 with 35" tires....its ok, but I think it could be better. In fact, I was towing a very light trailer with 1k load and it affected my braking... Although, my K5 has a 4" lift and the trailer hitch wasn't at the appropriate height and may have caused some rear end lift when braking.

At some point, I think I will try the hydroboost on the K5. First, I will try it on my 1 ton 4x4 build with 37" and see how it works in comparison...

[72BOWTIE4X]

FYI.... I just installed a set of Willwood D52 front calipers on my
72 K10 4X4......Hugh difference!! Much easier & runs around $400..
Also, change all brake lines over to SS....

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by 72BOWTIE4X

FYI.... I just installed a set of Willwood D52 front calipers on my
72 K10 4X4......Hugh difference!! Much easier & runs around $400..
Also, change all brake lines over to SS....

Interesting! Where did you buy the wilwoods and brakelines for the 4x4?

[usmcchevy]

Hydroboost, You won't regret it! I about went through the windshield the first time I drove my truck with them.

[72BOWTIE4X]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

Interesting! Where did you buy the wilwoods and brakelines for the 4x4?

Summit Racing

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by 72BOWTIE4X

Summit Racing

Cool, but I tried searching for these but their website says no matches for a 72 K10. http://www.summitracing.com/search/Y...eyword=wilwood

Do you have the kit number from Summit by chance?

[KrazyRay]

If you go with a hydroboost, you also want to upgrade to a shoulder harness seat belt to keep your face from hitting the steering wheel when you nail the brakes.

[Vintage Windmills]

What hydroboost systems do you guys look for? 90's and 2000's GM 3/4 Hd and 1 ton units?

[rpatowers]

I would buy a remanufactured hydroboost unit from Power Break Exchange in San Jose, CA. Some of the folks on this forum have done business with them and say they are good. Mike at Power Break Exchange could selll me either the system with the 1 ton vacuum booster or the hydroboost system. He can also fix me up with the hoses I would use for the hydroboost. Mike is the one who is recommending the 1-tom vacuum booster instead of hydroboost.

Anyway, are there any more of you out their that are running a 1-ton vacuum booster on their 1/2 ton trucks? I need more information on that before I decide which way to go. How well do they work compared with a stock brake system?

Thanks!