General braking question
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 195
Likes: 4
General braking question
I have a 79 F150 which I am hoping to fix up one more time. One issue that has always been a concern is braking, I have been told to put a hydra booster in it but I haven't looked into the cost. I drive this truck about 2000 miles per year and I don't plan to make it a daily driver so I am limiting how much I spend on the fix-up.
My mechanic tells me this truck never had good enough braking to begin with and I'd like to know what you guys think. It weighs 5500 empty and it came with small front discs and rear drums, which is why he said what he did.
My mechanic tells me this truck never had good enough braking to begin with and I'd like to know what you guys think. It weighs 5500 empty and it came with small front discs and rear drums, which is why he said what he did.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 269
Likes: 14
From: Shelbyville
It weighs a ton and has tiny brakes, what can you really expect?
As far as hydroboost goes, I haven't done that to my Dent, I did do it on my XJ rockcrawler and it made a huge difference.
This is the thread that I am going to reference when I find the parts to do the conversion.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...sion-done.html
It has the years and models that will most likely have the setup in it. As well as a step by step for the install.
And here's a little something I copied from that thread
"Stock brake system
60mph-0mph 258 feet
HydroBoost
60mph-0mph 164 feet" Seems well worth it to me.
As far as hydroboost goes, I haven't done that to my Dent, I did do it on my XJ rockcrawler and it made a huge difference.
This is the thread that I am going to reference when I find the parts to do the conversion.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...sion-done.html
It has the years and models that will most likely have the setup in it. As well as a step by step for the install.
And here's a little something I copied from that thread
"Stock brake system
60mph-0mph 258 feet
HydroBoost
60mph-0mph 164 feet" Seems well worth it to me.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Grab the hydroboost unit from a 4WD Chevy Astro/Safari... One version is horizontal while the other is slightly angled downwards.
Dan Wheeler's Astro Hydroboost Thread - ClassicBroncos.com Forums
Saginaw P/S Pump with Hydroboost - Ford Bronco Forum
Hydroboost & Power Brake Systems - WILD HORSES Early Ford Bronco Parts
Hydro-boost Installation For EBs - 66-77 Early Bronco Tech Support - Ford Bronco Zone Early Bronco Classic FullSize Broncos
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Dan Wheeler's Astro Hydroboost Thread - ClassicBroncos.com Forums
Saginaw P/S Pump with Hydroboost - Ford Bronco Forum
Hydroboost & Power Brake Systems - WILD HORSES Early Ford Bronco Parts
Hydro-boost Installation For EBs - 66-77 Early Bronco Tech Support - Ford Bronco Zone Early Bronco Classic FullSize Broncos
.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
I wonder how the brakes work now and what the issues are? Are the brakes power assisted now?
Front discs/rear drums can work pretty darn well if everything is in shape... I'm not sure I agree with your mechanic.
Front discs/rear drums can work pretty darn well if everything is in shape... I'm not sure I agree with your mechanic.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 7
From: Taxachusetts
Agree with Blue and White.....and I'm sure I don't agree with your mechanic.
2K miles a year is not enough to keep the brakes in good working order. The brake fluid can sour, rubber parts can crack/become brittle, and leak, the booster diaphragm can get brittle and not hold a vacuum, etc.
If your M/C is good = no leaks, internal or external, the brake fluid is clean, the booster diaphragm doesn't leak and the booster rod is correctly adjusted, your lines don't leak and fittings are tight, the pads/rotors are good as well as the shoes/drums...well, you've got everything working right.
These vehicles stop better than '67 - '71 Mopar boats with better pedal feel.
2K miles a year is not enough to keep the brakes in good working order. The brake fluid can sour, rubber parts can crack/become brittle, and leak, the booster diaphragm can get brittle and not hold a vacuum, etc.
If your M/C is good = no leaks, internal or external, the brake fluid is clean, the booster diaphragm doesn't leak and the booster rod is correctly adjusted, your lines don't leak and fittings are tight, the pads/rotors are good as well as the shoes/drums...well, you've got everything working right.
These vehicles stop better than '67 - '71 Mopar boats with better pedal feel.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Kennewick, WA
Agree with Blue and White.....and I'm sure I don't agree with your mechanic.
I agree with the beast on this one.
If you have a fully functional good working brake system, it would be adequate for normal usage.
If you want to race this truck and build the motor, you need to increase the brakes.
If you want to pull a heavy trailer, you want to increase the brakes.
But for a average user the brakes are just fine as they are.
But they do need to be in good working condition as any brakes on a vehicle should be.
I agree with the beast on this one.
If you have a fully functional good working brake system, it would be adequate for normal usage.
If you want to race this truck and build the motor, you need to increase the brakes.
If you want to pull a heavy trailer, you want to increase the brakes.
But for a average user the brakes are just fine as they are.
But they do need to be in good working condition as any brakes on a vehicle should be.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 49
From: Great American SouthWest
The truck may not have the best braking system ever created, but...
It's good enough. Don't overload it, and be aware of your stopping distances. One of the most important things I remember from driving school, right after "don't outdrive your headlights" is "don't outdrive your brakes"
It's good enough. Don't overload it, and be aware of your stopping distances. One of the most important things I remember from driving school, right after "don't outdrive your headlights" is "don't outdrive your brakes"
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 195
Likes: 4
The truck may not have the best braking system ever created, but...
It's good enough. Don't overload it, and be aware of your stopping distances. One of the most important things I remember from driving school, right after "don't outdrive your headlights" is "don't outdrive your brakes"
It's good enough. Don't overload it, and be aware of your stopping distances. One of the most important things I remember from driving school, right after "don't outdrive your headlights" is "don't outdrive your brakes"
It just sucks because it rides much better with 1500 pounds in the bed because of the stiff shocks, but you have to drive it so cautiously.
But......the bottom line....... she's a classic and I love her
So just like any woman.......proceed with caution
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