power brake booster install
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 81
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From: Huntsville, AL
power brake booster install
i'm trying to put a power brake booster on a 79 f100 2wd. it didn't have one before and the one i got won't go right in. i will have to cut a hole in the fire wall to get it installed. i bought it from auto zone. any sugestions. might i have the wrong booster. are there alot of different ones?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,701
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There are lots. You should have been able to bolt it right in. There are ones with or without cruise, older deals with all drums, then there is 150,250, and 350 boosters. If you can return it, I would suggest getting a 250 booster. It will really increase your booster power. Get the one for a 79 w/o cruise. It will be chubbier than the one you have. It is smaller in diameter and thicker.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 36
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The booster should bolt to the outside of the firewall. That is no part of it goes through the firewall, I'm confused why you would need to cut.
Also the pedal ratio is going to be different on a mechanical vs a boosted brake setup. You may need to get a different pedal assembly or it might be possible to change the pivot point, I'm not sure.
I upgraded my 77 to an f350 booster, which requires an f350 master cylinder, which requires thunderbird calipers and f350 wheel cylinders which requires .... You get the picture.
Also the pedal ratio is going to be different on a mechanical vs a boosted brake setup. You may need to get a different pedal assembly or it might be possible to change the pivot point, I'm not sure.
I upgraded my 77 to an f350 booster, which requires an f350 master cylinder, which requires thunderbird calipers and f350 wheel cylinders which requires .... You get the picture.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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1979 is a stand alone type with that 3" round casting for the *With Cruise Trucks*.
Explanation:
There are 2 different kinds of boosters depending on whether it has cruise or not.
The one for cruise requires a round hole bolt up directly through the firewall to the pedal assembly & the other one (the one you need) bolts to a fulcrum lever system on the firewall.
It appears the link I had for the Booster application is no longer available.
I have this in another thread though.
non-cruise = FT-46
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=303968
Post #8
Maybe do a search in this forum for *Brake Booster*?
Explanation:
There are 2 different kinds of boosters depending on whether it has cruise or not.
The one for cruise requires a round hole bolt up directly through the firewall to the pedal assembly & the other one (the one you need) bolts to a fulcrum lever system on the firewall.
It appears the link I had for the Booster application is no longer available.
I have this in another thread though.
non-cruise = FT-46
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=303968
Post #8
Maybe do a search in this forum for *Brake Booster*?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 1
From: Great NW
Whoa!!! Do NOT cut anything! Either the booster you have is wrong or the brackets that connect the booster to the firewall are wrong. No cutting is required.
You did get a new Master Cylinder while you were at it, right? They are matched.
You did get a new Master Cylinder while you were at it, right? They are matched.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,388
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From: Saratoga, NY
I have been there done that, and there more to what your doing that just slamming in a booster. read here----> https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...+brake+upgrade
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 413
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From: Enid, OK
My 79 F-150 has cruise and I have a 75 F-350 for a donor booster without cruise. Will my cruise not work with the 350 booster?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
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From: Apple Valley CA USA
WHOA! hey guys, read his post. It is easy to see the problem. He did not have power brakes before and went and bought a replacement booster from Auto Zone. Rebuilt or replacement boosters do not come with mounting brackets. He is missing everything needed to mount his booster. Hawkrod
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,238
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From: Northern Illinois
Yes, you might have to change your proportioning valve as well. Hawkrod is right you need to go to a junk yard and get the PB mounting bracket, the booster does not mount directly to the firewall. You will also need a power assist master cylinder. It is not as easy as just bolting a booster on the firewall and saying you now have power brakes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,335
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From: waco
I put cruise control in my 73. I used my same brake booster, and just changed the mount bracket and pedal. I also used the same master cylinder. Let me know if you still need a pic. I still have my old bracket sitting on the shelf. Nate, PM me if you want my bracket. It came from a 75 model truck if that makes any difference. I'll make you a deal that you can't refuse.
Also....I changed my 73 to power breaks a couple of years before I put the cruise in it. I used the parts from a 75 model that I had. You will need the booster bracket as mentioned above, but you are also going to need the break pedal for power breaks. I tried to use my manual break pedal with the booster when I first put it in, and the breaks wouldn't work right. You have to have the pedal also.
Mike
Also....I changed my 73 to power breaks a couple of years before I put the cruise in it. I used the parts from a 75 model that I had. You will need the booster bracket as mentioned above, but you are also going to need the break pedal for power breaks. I tried to use my manual break pedal with the booster when I first put it in, and the breaks wouldn't work right. You have to have the pedal also.
Mike
Last edited by docholiday72tx; Mar 3, 2005 at 07:33 PM.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 81
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From: Huntsville, AL
my parts truck which is a 4x4 has pb on it, but the booster was bent so i didn't use it. i have a new booster and master cylinder. so i need to snag the booster brackety off of that truck, and mount it all up. right? my buddy, the mechanic, which is good with these trucks says to get brake pedal assembly from the 4x4 and then we need to drill a larger hole so the booster will fit.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,388
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From: Saratoga, NY
You might need the bracket that actually mounts the pedal as well, but since it is a 79 it should have 2 sets of holes, 1 for man brake and 1 for power. The original from my 77 only had 1 set of holes so I needed the whole bracket, and I'm not sure why you would need to make the hole bigger. What hole, in the firewall? All I can say from my experience is it wasn't necessary, this is an easy job if you got all the parts, shouldn't take more than an afternoon to swap. Took me 2 days because I was running around town trying to find a line fitting.