Brake conversion questions
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Brake conversion questions
So I have a 73 Ford F-250 high boy that I recently swapped the front axle out that had drums on for a Dana 44 with dual piston calipers from I think a 77 or 78 f250 but it still doesn't feel like it has the braking power it should and it won't push my brake pedal back out when I let off so I was wondering if there is something else I have to change or what's wrong
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
So I have a 73 Ford F-250 high boy that I recently swapped the front axle out that had drums on for a Dana 44 with dual piston calipers from I think a 77 or 78 f250 but it still doesn't feel like it has the braking power it should and it won't push my brake pedal back out when I let off so I was wondering if there is something else I have to change or what's wrong
Drum brakes don't use a proportioning valve, but vehicles with front disc/rear drums need one.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,193
Likes: 385
From: Near Los Angeles
I have a 75. I was dissatisfied with my brakes for years. I was never sure of them, and always a bit timid regarding stopping.
Finally, I changed to 4x disc. Still, it wasn't quite good enough, and that was with the dual diaphram vacuum booster. Then I swapped in a hydroboost system.
It was night and day! One of, if not THE best, mod I have done. Nothing scares me now. It gave me the brakes of a new vehicle.
The only shortcoming was losing the parking brake, and I'm working on that.
Finally, I changed to 4x disc. Still, it wasn't quite good enough, and that was with the dual diaphram vacuum booster. Then I swapped in a hydroboost system.
It was night and day! One of, if not THE best, mod I have done. Nothing scares me now. It gave me the brakes of a new vehicle.
The only shortcoming was losing the parking brake, and I'm working on that.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 118
From: starship enterprise
It all has to work together. MAster cylinder and pedal and booster, rod length, proportioning valve, does your master cylinder have proper diameter to handle the dual piston calipers? Does the truck have power brakes or manual? All this needs to taken into account. I faught brakes for years, finally tore proportioning valve down, was basically totally ruined. I replaced with a genuine original, works totally different [better than ever] never thought that was the issue.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 16
From: Ideeho
Did you swap over to a disc brake master cyl?? For discs.....the MC needs to displace more fluid volume than for drums......
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Drum brakes don't really need a proportioning valve, disc brakes do. Discs take much higher pressure to operate than drum brakes. So you need the valve to keep the rear brakes from locking up before the fronts begin to stop.
Not saying that's your problem, but like others have said, the system needs to be balanced with the correct components.
If you have manual brakes, I would expect to need a lot higher pedal effort with disc vs. drum brakes.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
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
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Thank you all for the info I still have the vaccum booster master cylinder and no proportioning valve from what I understand now from the same setup for the 1973 style drum brakes. So from what I understand is the put the porportioning valve in from the 78 ford truck and if that doesn't completely fix it swap the master cylinder too. I wouldn't assume the booster to be part of the problem
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
boo-yaa138
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
23
Apr 24, 2008 12:02 AM
dan_l
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Oct 5, 2004 11:23 PM