Need advice on disc brakes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Red69stepside · 07-01-2004, 11:40 AM

I just picked up a 69 stepside that has had some good work done on it, but the brakes (original drum brakes) are totally shot.

This is my first project, so I'm looking all over for information.

I've found out that I ought to put disc brakes on the front at least, but I'm wondering if I need the power assist. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

Thanks

adamls · 07-01-2004, 12:15 PM

Front discs are the best upgrade you can do. If you can afford the power assist then go for it, if not then it is not necessary but helpful unless you got a strong leg.

Red69stepside · 07-01-2004, 12:39 PM

thanks for the advice. My snese is that power makes no difference on the amount of force applied to the brake, just on the brake pedal pressure required. I still got a pretty good kick, despite the accumulating years, and I figure keeping the power brakes off might keep my wife from driving the truck.

krue · 07-01-2004, 12:56 PM

Man the easiest thing you can do is throw a booster on there. I would definitely do that first. It took me all of 2 hours to do it. Just unbolt the M/C from the fire wall and mount the booster in between the firewall and M/C (don't even have to unhook any lines) and connect the booster to the brake pedal and your done. JMO tho.

BTW welcome to the board from South Mississippi!

Red69stepside · 07-01-2004, 02:04 PM

Is it necessary to do the booster first? I'd like to try it bareback first.

Slammed67 · 07-01-2004, 02:12 PM

Try it without the booster first. I don't have one on mine and the brake pedal effort isn't too bad at all. You can always add it later.

neonlarry · 07-01-2004, 03:36 PM

You don't need a booster. And if it keeps the Mrs from driving it so much the better.

*chevytruckfan* · 07-01-2004, 04:12 PM

Personal preference like some said you dont need it. But also like Krue said it is an easy swap. But either way booster or no booster definatly do the disk swap.

krue · 07-01-2004, 04:15 PM

It will work either way, but for the time and money invested versus the improvement in braking power the booster was the way to go for me. I do plan on doing the disc swap, but I have good braking now with four wheel drums so I can spend my limited funds on other projects.
JMO

Red69stepside · 07-01-2004, 05:26 PM

This is a great forum, with a heck of a lot of info swapping. Thanks guys.

crazy longhorn · 07-01-2004, 06:35 PM

I run a manual disc on my 69(originally due to vacumn issues on a cammed up BB Olds). I dont think the peddle effort is a problem, & the firewall looks cleaner. the power brake "lever " is in reach of my right hand if needed tho

crazyL

*64chevgmc* · 04-13-2005, 05:39 PM

i was doing some serching, and this is great info.. does the drum all around prop valve work with manual disc?

07-01-2004, 11:40 AM	#1
Red69stepside Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Washougal, WA Posts: 110	Need advice on disc brakes I just picked up a 69 stepside that has had some good work done on it, but the brakes (original drum brakes) are totally shot. This is my first project, so I'm looking all over for information. I've found out that I ought to put disc brakes on the front at least, but I'm wondering if I need the power assist. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Thanks

07-01-2004, 12:15 PM	#2
adamls Gotta Startem Early Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Amarillo, TX, USA Posts: 364	Front discs are the best upgrade you can do. If you can afford the power assist then go for it, if not then it is not necessary but helpful unless you got a strong leg. __________________ 67 SWB In Progress, one piece at a time, maybe 3 years I will be finished

07-01-2004, 12:56 PM	#4
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Man the easiest thing you can do is throw a booster on there. I would definitely do that first. It took me all of 2 hours to do it. Just unbolt the M/C from the fire wall and mount the booster in between the firewall and M/C (don't even have to unhook any lines) and connect the booster to the brake pedal and your done. JMO tho. BTW welcome to the board from South Mississippi! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

07-01-2004, 02:12 PM	#6
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	Try it without the booster first. I don't have one on mine and the brake pedal effort isn't too bad at all. You can always add it later. __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra

07-01-2004, 03:36 PM	#7
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	You don't need a booster. And if it keeps the Mrs from driving it so much the better. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

07-01-2004, 12:39 PM	#3
Red69stepside Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Washougal, WA Posts: 110	thanks for the advice. My snese is that power makes no difference on the amount of force applied to the brake, just on the brake pedal pressure required. I still got a pretty good kick, despite the accumulating years, and I figure keeping the power brakes off might keep my wife from driving the truck.

07-01-2004, 02:04 PM	#5
Red69stepside Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Washougal, WA Posts: 110	Is it necessary to do the booster first? I'd like to try it bareback first.

07-01-2004, 04:12 PM	#8
chevytruckfan Account Suspended Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lake Placid, Florida Posts: 930	Personal preference like some said you dont need it. But also like Krue said it is an easy swap. But either way booster or no booster definatly do the disk swap.

07-01-2004, 04:15 PM	#9
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	It will work either way, but for the time and money invested versus the improvement in braking power the booster was the way to go for me. I do plan on doing the disc swap, but I have good braking now with four wheel drums so I can spend my limited funds on other projects. JMO __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

07-01-2004, 05:26 PM	#10
Red69stepside Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Washougal, WA Posts: 110	This is a great forum, with a heck of a lot of info swapping. Thanks guys.

07-01-2004, 06:35 PM	#11
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I run a manual disc on my 69(originally due to vacumn issues on a cammed up BB Olds). I dont think the peddle effort is a problem, & the firewall looks cleaner. the power brake "lever " is in reach of my right hand if needed tho crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

04-13-2005, 05:39 PM	#12
64chevgmc Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 16	i was doing some serching, and this is great info.. does the drum all around prop valve work with manual disc?



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