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Anyone out there have power brakes on their truck? I got a power brake booster for my truck as it had nothing when I got it, except for the bracket. The new bracket looks a bit funny and I can’t seem to figure out it how it supposed to go. Also, how does the push rod connect to the brake pedal?
Yes it is an F-350 with drum brakes. Was it a factory power brake setup? Hard to tell. The previous owner had it setup for brake booster, the only problem is that all of the hardware except for the bracket was missing, so I don’t have much to go off of.
What does the bracket look like? The only dash-mounted (firewall) was the Midland-Ross Vacuum brake booster. They didn't have a traditional booster bracket like many.
For example, the 1965/66 F100/250 had an option for power brakes with a dash-mounted Bendix booster. Here's what it's bracket and the booster push rod that connects to the brake pedal looks like. This is typical with the stand-off bracket, and the dust protected push rod - that rod activates the internal diaphragm inside the booster which when under vacuum assists with pushing the similar push rod that goes into the master cylinder.
In the dash-mounted F350 setup the bracket was as shown in the upper right with the push rod 2377 that connects to the brake pedal and in the lower right is the push rod for the master cylinder.
What does the bracket look like? The only dash-mounted (firewall) was the Midland-Ross Vacuum brake booster. They didn't have a traditional booster bracket like many.
For example, the 1965/66 F100/250 had an option for power brakes with a dash-mounted Bendix booster. Here's what it's bracket and the booster push rod that connects to the brake pedal looks like. This is typical with the stand-off bracket, and the dust protected push rod - that rod activates the internal diaphragm inside the booster which when under vacuum assists with pushing the similar push rod that goes into the master cylinder.
In the dash-mounted F350 setup the bracket was as shown in the upper right with the push rod 2377 that connects to the brake pedal and in the lower right is the push rod for the master cylinder.
The original bracket I had looks like the one in the upper picture. I had to dig pretty hard but I found a video that shows how to mount the kit I bought, I’ll post it here for anyone that may need it in the future.
Well, I’m kinda back at square one. Upon looking at the video closer I noticed that the guy in the videos’ bolt holes go through the firewall inside of the steering column support, my old bracket was mounted through the steering column bolts. My holes are also too far apart to fit the bracket, the old bracket had a piece bolted on to bridge the gap. This must be another part of this truck that was rigged and cobbled together by the previous owner. My plan is to weld a patch and drill new holes, but I need a measurement to base them off of. There is one hole that someone has drilled that I assume was an attempt to do it the right way so I’m planning on basing the position of the other holes off of it. But I want to make sure it’s in the right spot. If anyone has a 1965 f100-350 can you measure the distance from the steering column support to the bolt holes? I’ll circle the bolt hole I’m talking about in red.
Last edited by OldFerd352; Mar 30, 2026 at 07:16 PM.
One thing you need to realize is a 1965 F350 is more akin to a 64 F100/250 than it is a 65 F100/250. Here is a thread to read thru with pictures the last post may help solve your problem.
Sorry I lost the link to that thread, but the guy ended up using a booster/master from a 1985 F350 with some small modifications.
Last edited by Crop Duster; Mar 31, 2026 at 04:48 AM.
The 4 holes were for the original brake master cylinder (or the bracket that held the booster if so equipped originally) which was quite a bit different shape than the F100/250.
I found that thread. It has some good pics of the original boosters. Hackjob or not hackjob - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
I looked and there are a few out in the salvage yard world, but they would likely be nothing more than cores. @OldFerd352 Your best bet is to just go with the plain old original single pot master.
My own 1966 F250 4x4 trucks which are more similar to 1961-1966 F350 use a heavy plate over that general area and the single pot master attached to the plate. Some older pictures showing that.
The original booster setup shown in that "hackjob" link that CropDustter posted looks nice and sanitary.
You might try calling a couple of businesses that specialize in Booster refurbishing and see if they can be of help for finding the booster and bracket for the F350 model.
