1978 c30 with bendix calipers, and vacuum booster

[jgm_1970]

heres the deal, I have a 1978 c30, with a standard vacuum booster, bendix calipers on the front, no mention of the jb8 rpo in the glove box, I have heard that the bendix calipers were only on hydroboost

the brakes worked fine overall, master cylinder was leaking, replaced it, went to place the calipers, saw they were the bendix type, made me wonder if someone removed the hydroboost and put a vacuum booster on it

[N2TRUX]

Anyone?

[Dave Kay]

Have a '86 GMC 1-ton and it surely does have hydro-boost & bendix calipers.... someone correct me if I'm wrong but as I recall when I re-did my brakes that some time in the '80's was when hydro-boost first came out on pickups.

[tractor1963]

Originally Posted by jgm_1970

heres the deal, I have a 1978 c30, with a standard vacuum booster, bendix calipers on the front, no mention of the jb8 rpo in the glove box, I have heard that the bendix calipers were only on hydroboost

the brakes worked fine overall, master cylinder was leaking, replaced it, went to place the calipers, saw they were the bendix type, made me wonder if someone removed the hydroboost and put a vacuum booster on it

Yes that is very possible,the hydro boost isnt cheap to replace.IIRC

[Dave Kay]

Originally Posted by tractor1963

Yes that is very possible,the hydro boost isnt cheap to replace.IIRC

Yup--- hydroboost ain't cheap!

You didn't mention, but does the truck have power steering? I suppose it does because it's a one-ton... do your pwr strng hoses look all hacked-up, like somebody plugged 'em or? Reason I ask is because hydro-boost runs the power steering AND the brakes.

I suggest looking on AutoZone's website 'cause they have a fairly good repair section and if you also search your model/year that may give you your answer. IMHO, if your brakes are working normal I'd say you've got the stock setup for your model/year..

Otherwise, if you think you need to change it all over to hydro-boost you'll also have to get a different master cyl, maybe brake pedal-pushrod, power steering hoses and Lord knows what else. And if you go that route, whatever you do don't get yourself one of those cheap remanufactured hyd-boosts cause I've been there and done that.... twice! ACDelco makes 'em and they cost about $200, but darn well worth it... good luck

Dave

[72 CustomCamper]

Originally Posted by Dave Kay

Have a '86 GMC 1-ton and it surely does have hydro-boost & bendix calipers.... someone correct me if I'm wrong but as I recall when I re-did my brakes that some time in the '80's was when hydro-boost first came out on pickups.

I had a 78 GMC that had hydro-boost on it...


Chuck

[Dave Kay]

Originally Posted by 72 CustomCamper

I had a 78 GMC that had hydro-boost on it...


Chuck

Well shut my mouth! Thanks for that Chuck, I stand corrected... maybe I shoulda' looked that up in The Books...

Happy New Year to all!