I read some ones post stating that any F250 built after 1/3/12 no longer has hydroboost brakes. Why is this, and since mine is ordered with camper package which upgrades front and rear suspension, wouldn't it have hydroboost? Mine gets delivered end of April. The big question is why would a diesel go backwards to vacum boost setup.

 

Recent F250's have not had hydroboost brakes. Only the F350 and up did, and that I believe even that ended with 2012.

 

F350 SRW's lost it this year. I think DRW 350's still have it. I didn't know 250's ever had it? My 350 has vacuum and is perfectly capable. I guess you don't miss what you never had. My 09 250 didn't have it either.

 

Two questions, why did the F350 lose it, and why wouldn't the F250 have it? I know when I almost bought a V10 F250 in 2010, it had hydroboost.

 

Don't know. My 09 250 with a V10 did not have it. What I read on the forums was some said they did away with it because during hard braking, you would loose steering control with one pump running both and not enough pressure to do both well in extreme situations. But again, that's not a fact. Just internet info...

 

I was always under the assumption from articles I read, that diesel engines cannot produce enough vacuum on their own, which is why they are hydro boost, or vacuum boost with its own belt.

 

You're over my head brother. Not really sure. Maybe someone who knows more than me will chime in. I just know what's available but not why...

 

In 2008 job 3 250's and 350's went to vacuum boost, duel alternator and duel wheel along with 250/350 fleet trucks continued with hydroboost.

 

Not sure about this, I think the change happened for the 2009 MY. My Job 3 2008 F250 had hydroboost brakes for sure.

Diesel engines make no vacuum whatsoever unless a throttle plate is in use, which I think only happens when in regen. But there is a vacuum pump that provides vacuum for the HVAC and engine controls that is used to power the brakes as well. Just out of curiosity what does everyone think that hydroboost does better? The vacuum system is capable of locking all four wheels when loaded to GVWR, so what do you expect to gain with the hydroboost system?

 

I have the same question. I haven't tested them at near max GCWR, but the brakes on my 2012 F250 are superb, in fact, I'd say they're the best I've experienced in a 3/4-1 ton truck.

 

Job 3 order guide updates- effective on all vehicles built on or after job 3 (01/02/08- subject to change) power 4 wheel disc/anti lock brakes with vacuum boost are now standard on srw with all engines. Power 4 wheel disc/4 wheel anti lock brakes with hydroboost are now included on srw with dual alternators, and optional on srw diesel for fleet only. This is taken from a Ford update list which had many other changes in it.

 

I don't think there is a clear cut advantage / disadvantage. I know on bigger rigs with Bendix brake systems (hydro), they have a battery backup hydro pump for brakes if you lose engine power. These tucks don't have that system so I am unsure which system is really better.

I think my 2010 had the vacuum brakes. They run a vacuum pump off the front of the engine....the pump that controls the 4x4 and HVAC system is the electric one next to the driver's battery.

I would not be worried which system your truck has. I think its pretty cool that I have the hydro system, but other than "thinking its cool"...I don't see any difference.

 

Mine was built 3/17/2008. And it had hydroboost brakes that caused the power steering to crap out when pushed hard. Attached is my window sticker. It says "Hydro Boost Brakes" on the options list. This is also a document that came from Ford.

 

What makes hydro boost better is the amount of pressure. 2400lbs vs 1400lbs pressure. So when you have heavy load it saves the brakes from over heating.

 

Something that is mildly interesting is that in the Ford SD brochure for specifications on the 2011 there is this verbiage found in the STANDARD FEATURES, Mechanical section:

In the entire 2012 Ford SD brochure for specifications, there is no mention of what type of brake booster is used.