just looking for advise - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

73chevyman · 01-19-2009, 03:07 PM

I'm planning on converting all the mechanical stuff to power. Brakes ,steering and possibly changing the 3 speed column to a TH 350. Question has anyone done this and how much of a pain and the neck is it going to be. I just want to know what i'm going to be putting myself into when it starts and what to watch out for
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I just hope it's not going to be that bad of a task thanks.

James McClure · 01-19-2009, 03:34 PM

To make power brakes you'll need the pedal, booster and the pin at the back of the master cyl. Pull the booster master cyl and all. P/S will need a P/S box, pump and hoses. Pull P/S box with the pitman arm. Pull the pump with all the brackets and your good to go. jim

silvereagle07 · 01-19-2009, 03:35 PM

I have a friend that has done this. He used an 87 steering column and the only problem was that the ignition switch slide moved in the opposite direction. He bent the rod to make it work with no problems. The brakes and steering are just bolt on . He changed the proportioning valve for the rear because they were touchy. I think he used a universal adjustable valve.

silvereagle07 · 01-19-2009, 03:36 PM

You don't have to change the column. He did it for the tilt function.

73chevyman · 01-19-2009, 03:37 PM

i have to change the pedal did not know that good i'll take everything i think I'm gonna need if i need it it's there if i don't i'll just have extra

73chevyman · 01-19-2009, 03:43 PM

i haven't really looked yet but i do believe it has drums on the front if thats the case won't i need the rotors and everything involved in that area too. don't think you can have front drums to do this modification

James McClure · 01-19-2009, 06:05 PM

If it has drums on the front you have to use the existing master cyl. It will work OK, BUT, you MUST replace the pedal because the leverage is different from manual brakes to power. I did it once on a 69 wagon and the first stop put me into the steeriong wheel LOL. Different pedal fixed it good. jim

73chevyman · 01-19-2009, 09:39 PM

lol thats funny but thanks for the info

**N2TRUX** · 01-20-2009, 12:17 AM

If it's a 73 I don't think it has drums on front. As far as I know all 73's had disc brakes. Your best bet is to find a donor truck. Get one that has all the power options and start swapping parts. If you try to do it in parts and pieces the nuts, bolts, brackets, and clips will cost a fortune.

73chevyman · 01-20-2009, 12:39 AM

i'll take a look but i thought that if you had manual brakes it was drums but i could be wrong and i do have a donor for all of this thanks for the info

01-19-2009, 03:07 PM	#1
73chevyman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lusby, MD Posts: 563	just looking for advise I'm planning on converting all the mechanical stuff to power. Brakes ,steering and possibly changing the 3 speed column to a TH 350. Question has anyone done this and how much of a pain and the neck is it going to be. I just want to know what i'm going to be putting myself into when it starts and what to watch out for these pics are to show whats not there I just hope it's not going to be that bad of a task thanks. __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/group.php?groupid=37 73 C10 Fleetside If it ain't a Chevy it's foreign http://hotridesmag.com/

01-19-2009, 03:34 PM	#2
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: just looking for advise To make power brakes you'll need the pedal, booster and the pin at the back of the master cyl. Pull the booster master cyl and all. P/S will need a P/S box, pump and hoses. Pull P/S box with the pitman arm. Pull the pump with all the brackets and your good to go. jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

01-19-2009, 03:35 PM	#3
silvereagle07 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bailey, NC Posts: 2,462	Re: just looking for advise I have a friend that has done this. He used an 87 steering column and the only problem was that the ignition switch slide moved in the opposite direction. He bent the rod to make it work with no problems. The brakes and steering are just bolt on . He changed the proportioning valve for the rear because they were touchy. I think he used a universal adjustable valve. __________________ Jeramy '84 GMC project truck '85 Chevy 4X4 SOLD '07 Chevy Trailblazer SS 5th Annual SHPHC Car/Truck Show Pics http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=543605 UPDATED PICS! CHECK 'EM OUT

01-19-2009, 03:36 PM	#4
silvereagle07 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bailey, NC Posts: 2,462	Re: just looking for advise You don't have to change the column. He did it for the tilt function. __________________ Jeramy '84 GMC project truck '85 Chevy 4X4 SOLD '07 Chevy Trailblazer SS 5th Annual SHPHC Car/Truck Show Pics http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=543605 UPDATED PICS! CHECK 'EM OUT

01-19-2009, 03:37 PM	#5
73chevyman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lusby, MD Posts: 563	Re: just looking for advise i have to change the pedal did not know that good i'll take everything i think I'm gonna need if i need it it's there if i don't i'll just have extra __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/group.php?groupid=37 73 C10 Fleetside If it ain't a Chevy it's foreign http://hotridesmag.com/

01-19-2009, 03:43 PM	#6
73chevyman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lusby, MD Posts: 563	Re: just looking for advise i haven't really looked yet but i do believe it has drums on the front if thats the case won't i need the rotors and everything involved in that area too. don't think you can have front drums to do this modification __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/group.php?groupid=37 73 C10 Fleetside If it ain't a Chevy it's foreign http://hotridesmag.com/

01-19-2009, 06:05 PM	#7
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: just looking for advise If it has drums on the front you have to use the existing master cyl. It will work OK, BUT, you MUST replace the pedal because the leverage is different from manual brakes to power. I did it once on a 69 wagon and the first stop put me into the steeriong wheel LOL. Different pedal fixed it good. jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

01-19-2009, 09:39 PM	#8
73chevyman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lusby, MD Posts: 563	Re: just looking for advise lol thats funny but thanks for the info __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/group.php?groupid=37 73 C10 Fleetside If it ain't a Chevy it's foreign http://hotridesmag.com/

01-20-2009, 12:17 AM	#9
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: just looking for advise If it's a 73 I don't think it has drums on front. As far as I know all 73's had disc brakes. Your best bet is to find a donor truck. Get one that has all the power options and start swapping parts. If you try to do it in parts and pieces the nuts, bolts, brackets, and clips will cost a fortune. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

01-20-2009, 12:39 AM	#10
73chevyman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lusby, MD Posts: 563	Re: just looking for advise i'll take a look but i thought that if you had manual brakes it was drums but i could be wrong and i do have a donor for all of this thanks for the info __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/group.php?groupid=37 73 C10 Fleetside If it ain't a Chevy it's foreign http://hotridesmag.com/



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