I upgraded to power brakes today! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67ss&99ss · 03-27-2010, 11:19 PM

Well, I converted my truck to power brakes today. I must say that the difference is unbelievable. Before I had to stand on the brakes to get it to stop. Now, it's effortless. If you have a manual drum brake truck, this is a cheap, fast upgrade that will make driving your truck much more enjoyable. Start to finish it took me an hour. It took me more time to find the right tools than to do the swap.

You can use your existing master cylinder and you don't have to unhook the lines it either. Just bend your lines to match up to the booster after you bolt it onto the truck. The wire that runs to the proportioning valve will need to be extended. I have not done this yet. I need to take it back off to clean it up and repaint it, but today I was only interested in seeing if it worked or not, since it came off of a parts truck.

GMCMAX · 03-28-2010, 12:10 AM

Didja bang your head on the first stop like I did? Thirty years of full weight on the pedal takes a while to unlearn! Best easy upgrade for these trucks.

Schwinn68 · 03-28-2010, 12:12 AM

so basically, all you did was bolt in the booster behind your existing master cylinder? Is it just one vacuum line that powers it all up? It can't be that easy can it? I've got a booster and master out of an 91 chevy that I could split up and bolt in right now if all this is true.

67ss&99ss · 03-28-2010, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schwinn68

so basically, all you did was bolt in the booster behind your existing master cylinder? Is it just one vacuum line that powers it all up? It can't be that easy can it? I've got a booster and master out of an 91 chevy that I could split up and bolt in right now if all this is true.

It's that easy. However, I do not know if the later model booster will work. Mine came off of a '71 truck.

67ss&99ss · 03-28-2010, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMCMAX

Didja bang your head on the first stop like I did? Thirty years of full weight on the pedal takes a while to unlearn! Best easy upgrade for these trucks.

Luckily I didn't. After reading about the swap for a while on the forum I was prepared and applied the brakes with care.

ERASER5 · 03-28-2010, 12:50 AM

I will work, not exactly correct, but it will work. The brakes will be touchy.

dan42 · 03-28-2010, 12:57 AM

Rod length out of the back of the booster needs to be checked for correct length - also, the 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton boosters are different.

Schwinn68 · 03-28-2010, 10:50 AM

may not be the cheapest way but autozone has these brand new including the master cylinder for about 130-150 depending on which booster.

Which booster is recommended for our trucks? Autozone offers either Bendix or Delco

COACHMEASON · 03-28-2010, 11:01 AM

Trick is find the brackets or modifying the 73-87 booster/bracket...

srea76 · 03-28-2010, 02:19 PM

I just got a booster off a parts truck. My truck is a 72. Could I use my same prop valve and mc?

Hottrucks · 03-28-2010, 03:22 PM

I just did this a week or so ago to find out the PO had the distribution block in backwards I need to make up the correct lines from the MC but yes this is an easy project and takes about an hour..be sure to check your brake switch/lights I had to swap my rod to the peddle too

what does your bracket look like?? this is mine before paint

67ss&99ss · 03-28-2010, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srea76

I just got a booster off a parts truck. My truck is a 72. Could I use my same prop valve and mc?

Yes, you use your existing proportioning valve and master cylinder. When I pulled the booster off of the parts truck, I also got the rod that goes to the brake pedal that Hottrucks mentioned. This will have to be changed out too, but it isn't a big deal.

Roadmarks · 05-03-2010, 10:09 PM

Howdy, COACHMEASON mentioned modifying the '73-'87 booster bracket. Can someone go into more detail on what has to be done. I am unable to find a '71-'72 bracket and rods around here which is Raleigh NC.

BTW, The local Advance Auto Parts stores have a rebuilt Bendix set-up, (master/booster,) For about $105.00! Their part number 50-3709.

best wishes,

Les

flashed · 05-04-2010, 10:16 AM

If you really want to UPGRADE your brakes let Frank (pickmup I think) ,build a new master cylinder/booster for a 3/4 ton for you .All new parts ,easy to install and stops better than my wifes 96 Explorer with 4 wheel discs. It was very reasonably priced ,and better brakes than I thought possible .

03-27-2010, 11:19 PM	#1
67ss&99ss Andy Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, GA Posts: 225	I upgraded to power brakes today! Well, I converted my truck to power brakes today. I must say that the difference is unbelievable. Before I had to stand on the brakes to get it to stop. Now, it's effortless. If you have a manual drum brake truck, this is a cheap, fast upgrade that will make driving your truck much more enjoyable. Start to finish it took me an hour. It took me more time to find the right tools than to do the swap. You can use your existing master cylinder and you don't have to unhook the lines it either. Just bend your lines to match up to the booster after you bolt it onto the truck. The wire that runs to the proportioning valve will need to be extended. I have not done this yet. I need to take it back off to clean it up and repaint it, but today I was only interested in seeing if it worked or not, since it came off of a parts truck. __________________ 1967 Camaro SS 406\|522hp/514ft lbs\|M20 Muncie\|3.73s\|Posi 1969 CST/10 383\|Aisin AR5 5 speed 1972 K5 350\|Turbo 350 4x4 2005 Duramax 2500HD 4x4

03-28-2010, 12:10 AM	#2
GMCMAX Active Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lower Mid-East Ca. Posts: 326	Re: I upgraded to power brakes today! Didja bang your head on the first stop like I did? Thirty years of full weight on the pedal takes a while to unlearn! Best easy upgrade for these trucks. __________________ Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig! Gets More Chicks My lugnuts require more torque than your honda makes! 68 GMC, 4X4 conversion w/73 k20 running gear and springs, 350 4spd, 4.10's, D44 powerlok front, 14BFF govlock rear, 33" tires, lifted 4".

03-28-2010, 12:12 AM	#3
Schwinn68 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Minooka IL Posts: 191	Re: I upgraded to power brakes today! so basically, all you did was bolt in the booster behind your existing master cylinder? Is it just one vacuum line that powers it all up? It can't be that easy can it? I've got a booster and master out of an 91 chevy that I could split up and bolt in right now if all this is true. __________________ Ben _____________________________________ 1971 Chevy shortbed 350/4-speed sold 2005 Chevy Duramax EC/4x4 Local 597 Pipefitters certified TIG MIG and stick welder

03-28-2010, 12:50 AM	#6
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: I upgraded to power brakes today! I will work, not exactly correct, but it will work. The brakes will be touchy. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60

03-28-2010, 12:57 AM	#7
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: I upgraded to power brakes today! Rod length out of the back of the booster needs to be checked for correct length - also, the 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton boosters are different. __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7

03-28-2010, 10:50 AM	#8
Schwinn68 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Minooka IL Posts: 191	Re: I upgraded to power brakes today! may not be the cheapest way but autozone has these brand new including the master cylinder for about 130-150 depending on which booster. Which booster is recommended for our trucks? Autozone offers either Bendix or Delco __________________ Ben _____________________________________ 1971 Chevy shortbed 350/4-speed sold 2005 Chevy Duramax EC/4x4 Local 597 Pipefitters certified TIG MIG and stick welder

03-28-2010, 11:01 AM	#9
COACHMEASON Keep On Keepin' On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 416	Re: I upgraded to power brakes today! Trick is find the brackets or modifying the 73-87 booster/bracket... __________________ 07 Avalanche Z71 92 Mustang 5.0 GT (Triple White w/ 53,000 miles) 72 SWB Chevy w/ PS, AC, 350/350 Current Project ....In paint shop getting body/paint work done (Corvette Velocity Yellow)... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157669

03-28-2010, 02:19 PM	#10
srea76 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hazlehurst, Ga. Posts: 822	Re: I upgraded to power brakes today! I just got a booster off a parts truck. My truck is a 72. Could I use my same prop valve and mc? __________________ 1972 Custom Deluxe LT1 Gen V Swap "Green Lantern" 1984 Silverado Red Baron-72 c10 Project

03-28-2010, 03:22 PM	#11
Hottrucks Redefining LowBudget Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: lebanon Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,538	Re: I upgraded to power brakes today! I just did this a week or so ago to find out the PO had the distribution block in backwards I need to make up the correct lines from the MC but yes this is an easy project and takes about an hour..be sure to check your brake switch/lights I had to swap my rod to the peddle too what does your bracket look like?? this is mine before paint Attached Images __________________ 1970 C10 CST fleetside 472 ....big dreams little cash... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335721 SunShine Syndicate.. Mikes Sandwich Fair Run OCT 8th 2011 http://www.thesandwichfair.com/html/...auto_show.html

05-03-2010, 10:09 PM	#13
Roadmarks Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Raleigh NC Posts: 157	Re: I upgraded to power brakes today! Howdy, COACHMEASON mentioned modifying the '73-'87 booster bracket. Can someone go into more detail on what has to be done. I am unable to find a '71-'72 bracket and rods around here which is Raleigh NC. BTW, The local Advance Auto Parts stores have a rebuilt Bendix set-up, (master/booster,) For about $105.00! Their part number 50-3709. best wishes, Les Last edited by Roadmarks; 05-03-2010 at 10:10 PM.

05-04-2010, 10:16 AM	#14
flashed Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: canton ga Posts: 12,724	Re: I upgraded to power brakes today! If you really want to UPGRADE your brakes let Frank (pickmup I think) ,build a new master cylinder/booster for a 3/4 ton for you .All new parts ,easy to install and stops better than my wifes 96 Explorer with 4 wheel discs. It was very reasonably priced ,and better brakes than I thought possible .

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