Will it STOP me?
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Will it STOP me?
I am building a 76 with power brakes. I slicked the firewall and the brake booster is just cluttering up things. I recently acquired a 72 with no power brakes. My question is whats the difference between a master cylinder on a truck with verses without power brakes. Can I just bolt my MC to the firewall with no booster and most importantly WILL IT STOP ME? Thanks
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Manual brakes work perfectly fine and I bet you wouldn't notice much of a difference.
If it were truly illegal ALL of the major brake manufacturers, plus the aftermarket companies would be in a major bing offering power to manual brake conversions for street cars. This even includes modern cars like LT1 Corvettes and Mustangs.
Josh
If it were truly illegal ALL of the major brake manufacturers, plus the aftermarket companies would be in a major bing offering power to manual brake conversions for street cars. This even includes modern cars like LT1 Corvettes and Mustangs.
Josh
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Thanks Guys
LOL @ illegal. My whole truck is illegal if ya wanna get tecnical HAHA bagged and bodydropped no wipers no horn grille covers the headlights...the list goes on.
I guess now I just need to find out if My NEW Master Cylinder will work or do I have to get a different one specifically for an application with manual brakes.
LOL @ illegal. My whole truck is illegal if ya wanna get tecnical HAHA bagged and bodydropped no wipers no horn grille covers the headlights...the list goes on.
I guess now I just need to find out if My NEW Master Cylinder will work or do I have to get a different one specifically for an application with manual brakes.
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I believe the "laws" state you can't "down grade" the braking system.
However, the trucks were available with and without power brakes. So swapping one for the other is a wash.
Also, you can UPGRADE from a power master cylinder to a manual M/C using a more modern design.
I use an aluminum manual m/c from an 80s Ford Ranger. Worked like a charm as a standalone and when I adapted hydroboost.
That is until the darn hydroboost took a dump, now I am back to manual.
Josh
However, the trucks were available with and without power brakes. So swapping one for the other is a wash.
Also, you can UPGRADE from a power master cylinder to a manual M/C using a more modern design.
I use an aluminum manual m/c from an 80s Ford Ranger. Worked like a charm as a standalone and when I adapted hydroboost.
That is until the darn hydroboost took a dump, now I am back to manual.
Josh
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There is no difference in the design, they function the same. Manual, power or hydroboost.
Josh
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MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Austin, TX
I double checked the FMVSS articles that I thought mention conversion and can't find where it would have said it's illegal. Not sure why I thought that then. Don't listen to me. 
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Brentwood,CA
I have driven a lot of these trucks the stock power boosted brakes are marginal at best and the manual version is even worse. For a show truck I could see this being done but even then most guys just move the entire setup to the frame.
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