My master cylinder leaks just sitting there. Looks like it's coming out the brake booster, so it's time to replace them. My truck is a 2wd F150 400/Auto with cruise control. I would like to upgrade my brake system but there are a few questions I have first.

1. What is the difference between a brake booster for cruise and non-cruise control trucks?

2. I recently read about upgrading the booster and master cylinder to a F250 setup that is a big improvement over my current set up. What are the opinions on this over upgrading to a hydro-boost system.

3. If I were to upgrade to hydro-boost, I would probably buy new vs. junk yard because I really don't have time to go to the junk yards and it's winter, besides my luck I would purchase the only one that doesn't work. What setup is recommended? I've read about using chevy systems and f-450 systems.

4. I've got a brand new p/s pump on my truck. Can I use this one or do I need to replace this too?

5. I was very disappointed when I purchased a rear wheel cylinder from Napa and it had china stamped on it. I'm going to replace the brake lines along with the master cylinder and booster and don't want any imported garbage on my rig. Who sells the Made in USA stuff? I would just go into the store and look, but these days most of these replacement parts aren't kept in stock at the individual stores.

Thanks in advance for your valued opinions!

 

Ok, so I've spent many hours today reading threads about brake upgrades. Looks like I either go hydro-boost or stick with what I've got for now. I still haven't found much on upgrading F150s (maybe I should have searched F100 instead?) and I'm no brake wizzard but I think I'll be alright as long as I stick with my original style master cylinder and replace all my rubber brake lines, which I was going to do anyways.

I still haven't found any info on the cruise control question I have. Only thing I can think of is it has something to do with a vacuum signal or the rod engaging the brake light switch.

Does cruise control still work with Hydro-boost?

What is the difference between the Hydro-boosts? Astro vs Ford? I keep reading if you are using a Ford unit to find an F-450 an up, but I see that F350s also came with them. Is there any reason to not use an F350 unit?

Can I use this unit?
Store Locator | NAPA Online
Orielly lists this same part as compatible with Super Duty but it doesn't say which ones.
Cardone 52-7079 - Hydraulic Brake Booster | O'Reilly Auto Parts

 

If you are looking at 1973 you should be searching for F100 not F150 like you suspected. Can't you just buy the loaded brake booster for a 1973 Ford F100 without cruise, I believe it should work, you may have to cut your old fittings off and splice new ones but that's not that hard.

 

I'm building a Frankenstein that will eventually be a 73 4x4. So right now I have a 73 F100 and a 79 F150. Both 2wd. Eventually I will find a 4x4 chassis to put all my stuff on. This post is pertaining to the 79 F150.

After my last post I did some research on F100s and found some interesting posts that I need to re-read when it's not so late at night and I'll update with what I've found.