Hydroboost breaking
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 214
Likes: 2
From: Panama City, Florida
Hydroboost breaking
Hello,
Re: 1985 F-250HD, 460ci, XLT Lariat, 4x4, MT. End use: Pulling a travel trailer around for a few years when I retire shortly.
Can anyone comment on the Pro's and Cons of removing the vacuum boost and installing a Hydro boost system? Priority is sure braking and reliability
Thank you
Rgds
nonrev
Re: 1985 F-250HD, 460ci, XLT Lariat, 4x4, MT. End use: Pulling a travel trailer around for a few years when I retire shortly.
Can anyone comment on the Pro's and Cons of removing the vacuum boost and installing a Hydro boost system? Priority is sure braking and reliability
Thank you
Rgds
nonrev
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,124
From: Angier, NC
First got to ask why if the vacuum system is working.
It has been 15 years since I drove a truck with hydro boost / diesel and it was bought to pull trailers. Don't remember anything bad about it other than if you run low on fluid, bad leak, you have vary little braking power to stop.
Now to do this swap it would be best to find a complete truck for all the necessary parts.
May need to swap pedals, pump & master to make this work.
If me and had bad vacuum booster I would just replace it with same thing and be done.
Dave - - - -
It has been 15 years since I drove a truck with hydro boost / diesel and it was bought to pull trailers. Don't remember anything bad about it other than if you run low on fluid, bad leak, you have vary little braking power to stop.
Now to do this swap it would be best to find a complete truck for all the necessary parts.
May need to swap pedals, pump & master to make this work.
If me and had bad vacuum booster I would just replace it with same thing and be done.
Dave - - - -
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 7
From: Northern Arizona
Going from vacuum to hydroboost is like upgrading from non power brakes to power brakes. The difference in braking power is huge. Nothing wrong with vacuum assist, but for heavier trucks and loads hydro is a very worthy upgrade. Some people complain about the pedal feel being too firm, but I have to wonder how many of these complaints may be from using the wrong brake pedal with the pin in the wrong place. You need the hydroboost pedal or move the pin. You also hear of complaints of jerky or stiff steering while braking, but these are on other makes of trucks... NOT Ford. I have never heard anything like that with Ford's HB system. That said, if you are running V belts another good and complimentary upgrade would be a Saginaw steering pump conversion with a small oil cooler. Not necessary though. F450's run the whiny Ford pumps and brake/steer just fine. If the PS pump fails you don't have brake, but PS pumps rarely fail catastrophically. The assist unit itself is just a hydraulic valve and rarely has any issues. Much less than vacuum diaphragms. The usual response from people converting to hydroboost is that they stepped on the pedal and about launched themselves through the windshield. A welcome change for heavy truck owners.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 214
Likes: 2
From: Panama City, Florida
Thanks for the comment so far.
This is the first I have heard of needing a new Brake pedal. Can anyone advise of the appropriate brake pedal for use in an 85 F-250. I'd hate to decide to do this upgrade and find that one part is preventing proper operation.
One thing is that I have talked to several Brake specialist places here in town and no one wants to tackle the install. Don't know why? Maybe insurance liability?
Thanks
This is the first I have heard of needing a new Brake pedal. Can anyone advise of the appropriate brake pedal for use in an 85 F-250. I'd hate to decide to do this upgrade and find that one part is preventing proper operation.
One thing is that I have talked to several Brake specialist places here in town and no one wants to tackle the install. Don't know why? Maybe insurance liability?
Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 755
Likes: 3
From: Rockport MA
I doubt you would get any traditional shop to take on a project of this complexity, and I would argue you wouldn't want to unless you found someone who specialized in old fords. These are the type of projects you need to research and do yourself to make sure it is done right because it can not be found in a manual or book, blazing new trails as they say.
I think if you do a search here or on the pre-powerstroke forum you will find some more information, I recall coming across it once.
Good luck,
Devin
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,993
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 709
Likes: 2
From: MN
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 7
From: Northern Arizona
I totally get why a shop would not touch this conversion. But there is absolutely no reason not to do it yourself or find a shade tree mechanic to do it for you. If you use 87-96 F450 parts it is 100% bolt on. Just a different boost unit (plus the corresponding pedal and a way to get fluid back into the PS reservoir). It is dirt simple and works ~so well. You're just not going to convince a shop to modify a safety system under any circumstances because of liability.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,124
From: Angier, NC
I totally get why a shop would not touch this conversion. But there is absolutely no reason not to do it yourself or find a shade tree mechanic to do it for you. If you use 87-96 F450 parts it is 100% bolt on. Just a different boost unit (plus the corresponding pedal and a way to get fluid back into the PS reservoir). It is dirt simple and works ~so well. You're just not going to convince a shop to modify a safety system under any circumstances because of liability.
I can see the pedal assy. boost unit, pump & hoses but I would check the masters if they have the same bore dia.
You also want to check front & rear brakes if the caliper/wheel cly are also the same size between the 2 trucks.
And when I said pedal assy. it was more for the placement of the push rod pin. If it is too high or low it throws off the ratio and why you go thru the window.
And yes it is because of liability why shops will not touch this.
Dave ----
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 214
Likes: 2
From: Panama City, Florida
Heres the HydroBoost I'm probably going to order.
Hydratech Braking Systems :: 1980-1996 Ford F Series / Bronco Hydraulic Brake Assist System Listing.
They say its a direct fit for the old Vacuum booster .
They are also capable of mating it up to this CPP MC and sending it as one unit.
CPP CP31501C MASTER CYLINDER. http://www.hydratechbraking.com/mastercylinders.html
The description of the HB is that it has an adjustable brake pedal rod for a range of brake pedal heights.
Sounds almost too good to be true reading about the hoops others have had to jump thru.
A local mechanic said to check the Custom Auto places as they would be most likely to take the job on. I will probably have to modify the brake lines somewhat as the old Proportional valve comes out because the CPP MC has them built in so they will need to come up a few inches. I'm probably also going to be removing the Truck bed load sensing proportional valve in the rear.
I would like to find out the part number for the 87-96 F-450 (not a F-350 also?) Brake pedal..... just in case. Manual transmission....as I understand the Clutch and brake pedals are an integral unit on some years in this range
Thanks
Hydratech Braking Systems :: 1980-1996 Ford F Series / Bronco Hydraulic Brake Assist System Listing.
They say its a direct fit for the old Vacuum booster .
They are also capable of mating it up to this CPP MC and sending it as one unit.
CPP CP31501C MASTER CYLINDER. http://www.hydratechbraking.com/mastercylinders.html
The description of the HB is that it has an adjustable brake pedal rod for a range of brake pedal heights.
Sounds almost too good to be true reading about the hoops others have had to jump thru.
A local mechanic said to check the Custom Auto places as they would be most likely to take the job on. I will probably have to modify the brake lines somewhat as the old Proportional valve comes out because the CPP MC has them built in so they will need to come up a few inches. I'm probably also going to be removing the Truck bed load sensing proportional valve in the rear.
I would like to find out the part number for the 87-96 F-450 (not a F-350 also?) Brake pedal..... just in case. Manual transmission....as I understand the Clutch and brake pedals are an integral unit on some years in this range
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 7
From: Northern Arizona
The unit you posted is strictly an aftermarket upgrade. I have no idea which pedal it uses. (If it is made to replace the vacuum booster it would make sense for it to be designed to use the vacuum pedal though). Not all vacuum pedals are the same either...
But if you end up using the F450 parts you need the 87-96 F450 manual transmission brake pedal. (F350's did not have hydroboost and do not have the special pedal). This is the engineering number stamped on the side:
The launching through the windshield comment just means the brakes worked unexpectedly well... not a leverage ratio or control problem.
But if you end up using the F450 parts you need the 87-96 F450 manual transmission brake pedal. (F350's did not have hydroboost and do not have the special pedal). This is the engineering number stamped on the side:
The launching through the windshield comment just means the brakes worked unexpectedly well... not a leverage ratio or control problem.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
seizure911
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
11
Jun 13, 2007 09:31 PM
goneinsixty
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Feb 20, 2005 10:53 PM