Remote brake booster
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Remote brake booster
1970 Ford Econoline 200 Chinook mobilelodge Western Trail Wagons II Motor Van
Does anyone have experience with remote brake boosters? I have a 1970 Econoline 200 that started life as a display van. New, Chinook converted it into one of nine produced motor vans in 1970 using a Ford platform. Power brakes were not available until 1971. The master clears the hood by a inch or so. A conventional vacuum booster will not work. A conversion to power brakes using 71-74 parts requires a different radiator, a different hood, relocation of the hood latch, and repositioning the Grill brace. Using a frame mounted vacuum booster requires the vacuum connector plate for under the carburetor and some creative reworking of the brake lines. That's it. Has anyone done anything like this? Since this vehicle is one of nine built I don't want to tamper with it too much. It's a well reconditioned time capsule that has just 600 miles past it's first odometer roll over. It's forty five years old, weighs 5600 pounds and gets 20MPG with it's original 302 V8. I'm used to the brakes, but, other family members freak out when they apply the brakes thinking there are none. I look forward to any feedback on this issue. I am also considering electric power steering mounted under the dashboard.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 8
Relax, your in the correct forum.
The mod might have moved you over there because of the pictures you posted with the questions you asked. All is good.
Keep this tread alive, because of the pictures posted.
First, that is one 'ole girl still alive, and great looking shape
You say that was only 1 in 9 built? For the '70 year, or total?
I understand your questions, for me, I've have not done that type of modification on any vehicle, but it is do-able, and I checked some of the info that's out there for this mod.
I know someone that added power steering to a large dump truck years ago, and had nothing but problems with it after words, but then again, it might have been the shop that did the work, fowled it up, and he would have problems keeping the truck on the road between the lines, would wonder all over the road.
From what I seen on line, Summit Racing, and others, have the mod's you want to make, and depending on how deep your pockets are, could be done.
But the question is, do you really need the mod's to make this into a daily driver, or your just up-grading this for other's as you wrote.
I guest the though I have.........being the classic that this van is.......and trying to keep it as original as you can, that's part of the "nostalgic" part of the vehicle.
Ah..........if it's not broke..........
My first set of wheels were a '70 E200, with the 240 engine, 3 speed auto, Armstrong steering, and heavy footed brakes, that I bought in December '74 (I know......40 years ago......) Bought my first 'brand new' van in '78, and retired that one couple years later, sold it to someone else.
The mod might have moved you over there because of the pictures you posted with the questions you asked. All is good.
Keep this tread alive, because of the pictures posted.
First, that is one 'ole girl still alive, and great looking shape
You say that was only 1 in 9 built? For the '70 year, or total?
I understand your questions, for me, I've have not done that type of modification on any vehicle, but it is do-able, and I checked some of the info that's out there for this mod.
I know someone that added power steering to a large dump truck years ago, and had nothing but problems with it after words, but then again, it might have been the shop that did the work, fowled it up, and he would have problems keeping the truck on the road between the lines, would wonder all over the road.
From what I seen on line, Summit Racing, and others, have the mod's you want to make, and depending on how deep your pockets are, could be done.
But the question is, do you really need the mod's to make this into a daily driver, or your just up-grading this for other's as you wrote.
I guest the though I have.........being the classic that this van is.......and trying to keep it as original as you can, that's part of the "nostalgic" part of the vehicle.
Ah..........if it's not broke..........
My first set of wheels were a '70 E200, with the 240 engine, 3 speed auto, Armstrong steering, and heavy footed brakes, that I bought in December '74 (I know......40 years ago......) Bought my first 'brand new' van in '78, and retired that one couple years later, sold it to someone else.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Building a bit on Wildman's reply Summit Racing and Jeg's both have brake booster kits designed for custom or hot rod installations. Because most of those are almost always custom in nature either outlets would be a good resource for those parts.
I'd also do a Google search for hot rodding forums or something specific to upgrading older brake systems to more modern familiar parts and installations. Since 70's vehicles had very simple brake systems adding a booster should be equally simply although I wonder out loud if the master cylinder would also have to be upgraded to properly work with a vacuum booster? What about proportioning valving? Just random thoughts mind you...........
I also wonder if changing this over is that good an idea? The existing brake system was sufficient when new and if things haven't changed significantly why the need to upgrade or change it? I get that family might be concerned driving a vintage vehicle but coupling your own non-issue in this matter in addition to keeping this van as original as possible I'd try educating and instructing other drivers to its operating characteristics.
IF this were mine and brakes were an issue I'd seriously look into a complete retrofit kit to upgrade the entire brake system, perhaps to power-assist discs at least up front. (I have no idea if this is possible or where to get the parts---just another idea..........)
I'd also do a Google search for hot rodding forums or something specific to upgrading older brake systems to more modern familiar parts and installations. Since 70's vehicles had very simple brake systems adding a booster should be equally simply although I wonder out loud if the master cylinder would also have to be upgraded to properly work with a vacuum booster? What about proportioning valving? Just random thoughts mind you...........
I also wonder if changing this over is that good an idea? The existing brake system was sufficient when new and if things haven't changed significantly why the need to upgrade or change it? I get that family might be concerned driving a vintage vehicle but coupling your own non-issue in this matter in addition to keeping this van as original as possible I'd try educating and instructing other drivers to its operating characteristics.
IF this were mine and brakes were an issue I'd seriously look into a complete retrofit kit to upgrade the entire brake system, perhaps to power-assist discs at least up front. (I have no idea if this is possible or where to get the parts---just another idea..........)
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remote brake booster
Wow, I didn't expect such a lively response. In the ten years of the thirteen I have owned this time capsule, I have done a lot of research to glean the story of this vehicle, I have not experienced such a lively response. As for the production numbers, only between 5 and 9 were built on a ford platform. They did start using Fords in class B + which are like a class C, but, without a over cab sleeping area in the 1980's. I believe "B" vans were Chevy's for the duration of Chinook vans.
The brake booster conversion could be done for under a thousand dollars. Currently, there is less than five thousand miles since a complete brake overhaul. The conversion would have no effect on that. The brakes work great, but the vehicle weighs a good thousand pounds more than a stock van does. Load it up with a 30 gallon water supply and groceries plus random camping gear and your ability haul this thing down is old school to say the least. However, with five cars, I don't use it as much as I could. But, no one else wants to
drive it dry or wet. On the other hand, the lack of power steering is a also a factor. I think if I can find the right
fab shop, the conversion to electric power steering could be done with a used power set up mounted under the dashboard also for less than a thousand dollars both installations would cost around the same and both would be of little interference to the appearance of the vehicle. Leaving it as it is and the two installation choices have me in a selection dilemma. I am going to have to ponder your diverse feedback and determine what's right for the vehicle verses what works my family and the vehicle's future. Thanks for your input guys.
The brake booster conversion could be done for under a thousand dollars. Currently, there is less than five thousand miles since a complete brake overhaul. The conversion would have no effect on that. The brakes work great, but the vehicle weighs a good thousand pounds more than a stock van does. Load it up with a 30 gallon water supply and groceries plus random camping gear and your ability haul this thing down is old school to say the least. However, with five cars, I don't use it as much as I could. But, no one else wants to
drive it dry or wet. On the other hand, the lack of power steering is a also a factor. I think if I can find the right
fab shop, the conversion to electric power steering could be done with a used power set up mounted under the dashboard also for less than a thousand dollars both installations would cost around the same and both would be of little interference to the appearance of the vehicle. Leaving it as it is and the two installation choices have me in a selection dilemma. I am going to have to ponder your diverse feedback and determine what's right for the vehicle verses what works my family and the vehicle's future. Thanks for your input guys.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 8
Understand where your going with this.........
On one hand, like I said, it depends on how deep your pockets are.
Good side, other's will not want to use this vehicle, thus, it's condition will not change
Altering the mechanics to make more "comfortable" for others or yourself can be an added benefit, providing that the results are positive, like it does not wonder all over the road.
And, for the costs that you expect to 'invest' into the added comforts, one might think that a good Gym membership might go a long ways to build up that Armstrong steering, and leg press machine for the manual brakes
Granted, this is not a Ford Pinto, and weights about 3x as much, It's a "modified" truck, thus needs to be driven that way.
You'll never see a 'soccer mom' driving this to the field..........it's not a mini-van for sure.
I posted that I also had a '70 E200, although it was just a regular 'super van' and back in the day..........there were still a lot of manual transmissions in vehicles, the worst setup was having a true "stock" vehicle, with manual brakes, steering and tranny. In that case.........a gym membership was Not needed, just a 50 mile drive was a good workout
You'r looking at over 2 grand to make this more comfortable to drive,
How much would a 'personal trainer' cost?
On one hand, like I said, it depends on how deep your pockets are.
Good side, other's will not want to use this vehicle, thus, it's condition will not change
Altering the mechanics to make more "comfortable" for others or yourself can be an added benefit, providing that the results are positive, like it does not wonder all over the road.
And, for the costs that you expect to 'invest' into the added comforts, one might think that a good Gym membership might go a long ways to build up that Armstrong steering, and leg press machine for the manual brakes
Granted, this is not a Ford Pinto, and weights about 3x as much, It's a "modified" truck, thus needs to be driven that way.
You'll never see a 'soccer mom' driving this to the field..........it's not a mini-van for sure.
I posted that I also had a '70 E200, although it was just a regular 'super van' and back in the day..........there were still a lot of manual transmissions in vehicles, the worst setup was having a true "stock" vehicle, with manual brakes, steering and tranny. In that case.........a gym membership was Not needed, just a 50 mile drive was a good workout
You'r looking at over 2 grand to make this more comfortable to drive,
How much would a 'personal trainer' cost?
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