Do I really need the height sensing proportioning valve on my 1986 F-250 brakes. I would like to bypass it since I can't find a replacement. Heeeelp!

 

Just an educated guess, but I think you'd be ok to bypass it

 

it adjusts for load, with it bypassed you will have full rear brakes all the time, just a warning.

 

I just did this, used a line (rubber) for a 91 F250.

I wish I could find a Height Sensing Proportioning Valve, Now that I have rear brakes and no weight it locks up the rears when it's slippery... FUN!

Otherwise it's fine.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

OK, Dont try bypassing it. Whats wrong with yours? How about an adjustable rear bias valve like they use in race cars

 

is it leaking.if not just leave it.the bracket that mounts to the diff is broken,so mine stays down all the time. never had a problem.maybe i should fix it someday.

 

Why use a manual Prop valve ... So you DON'T have any brakes when you are loaded ...

You are better off locking the rear brakes when empty then not having enough brakes when loaded.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

with mine down all the time i have never had a problem stopping.even with my camper in the back of the truck pulling a loaded 18 foot cargo trailer.they don't lock up and she stops on a dime.plus you don't want the rear end locking up all the time,,hard on tires plus when your tires are locked up and skidding your braking is reduced, plus your out of control on wet pavement the **** end swinging around when the brakes are applied.

 

I agree, Lockup is not a good thing! But reducing loaded braking is far worse!

My rear tires don't lockup except when it's slippery (Snow and Ice) and the truck is empty!
I added ~400lbs in the bed and I no longer have that!

They do not lockup on wet or sandy roads even empty.

If your Height Sensing Proportioning Valve is in the down position, it is your front (and or trailer) brakes doing most of the work.

My bet is your Height Sensing Proportioning Valve is already failed anyways.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

i was checking my proportioning valve and noticed this. check between the axle and leaf spring.gotta get those out of there.love what previous owners do.buying new ubolts and get those babys out. poor mans lift.

 

Those are not a poor mans lift, those are factory, though that one is broken!

That is supposed to have a (uumm don't know what to call it) arm that sticks out, what it is for I do not know for sure, I think they are for tie down purposes.

I'm sure some one will respond.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

i don't want to high jack this fourm.that leaver is the proportioning valve, when there is a load on the truck the leaver go's up,allowing more brake pressure to the rear brakes. those lift blocks are not factory.if you look closely those round parts are axle tubes.a previous owner cut a rear end up. cut the spring perches off and cut the tube in half.i can see this plain as day.ford would have not left rough cutting tourch cuts on something they produced.

 

If this is a 4wd truck, those blocks could be factory. Like the other poster said, it looks like the arm has been cut off. That arm is supposed to stick out so a rubber bump stop can hit it. The rubber bumpstop is mounted on the bottom of the frame above this area.

The 4wd trucks did have blocks from the factory.

 

ok.i see someone must have cut them off with a torch. really rough.just never seen lift blocks like this. sorry was confused.by the way mhopkins hows that proportion valve,sorry didn't mean to hi jack your forum.

 

The manual valve would be fine with a load, you would just need to remember to crank it up when you load up, Just like the ones we put on the Fox Bodies with the 5 lug and disc conversions.