New member w/ 1 ton brake questions!

[Devon]

Hi All,

First off, wow! What an amazing site! I just joined the site but have been browsing for a long time now. It's great to see so many people with a common interest capitalizing on each others know how and knowledge.

Since I can remember I've always wanted a 67-72 Generation Chev/GMC and finally picked one up last week. Here she is (Hope the Pics show up):



-C3500
-1ton cab and chassis
-350 SB
-Originally used as a water truck for a small town fire department
-Front wheel disk brakes

She runs alright but I think I am loosing vacuum through the brake boosters. When I went to investigate, I found that the boosters where in rough shape and likely will need replacing. I have a few questions regarding the braking system for all you 1 ton owners/enthusiasts:

1. Did all 1 tons come with two brake boosters (one for the front and one for the back brakes) mounted under the cab? Mine has a Master Cylinder in the engine bay with no booster and then two boosters running off of a Vacuum which are mounted under the cab. When I go to the parts stores in town and search for a booster for the 1 ton, the computer brings up a booster/MC assembly to be mounted in the engine bay (the booster listed is a 10 3/4" dia. double diaphragm).

2. Has anyone replaced this two booster set up with a typical Booster/MC assembly in the engine bay? I am considering purchasing the one that the parts store computer recommends and am wondering if this is what some 1 tons were equipped with originally.

3. I want to put a dump bed on this baby, restore it, and use her as a weekend warrior work truck so I want to put a reliable brake setup which is easy to find parts for. Can anyone recommend a solution? Here is what I believe my options are. If anyone can suggest some more or make a recommendation based on your experiences, it would be much appreciated.

A. After-market booster/MC assembly in the engine bay. Remove existing boosters and run new lines.

B. Install the booster/MC assembly that the parts store computers come up with (10 3/4" double diaphragm booster). Remove existing boosters and run new lines.

c. Swap in some parts from newer 1 ton models to get better part availability. Has anyone done this?

I am basically looking for suggestions on a brake upgrade that will be reliable, simple, and be relatively easy to find parts for in the future.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. is there a place to make donations to the site?