This spring I'm gong to have to put some $$ into my brake system. My question is: do you guys have any suggestions for better stoping power. I belive I read somewhere about using a F-450 master cylinder, any truth to that? Thanks for your help.


Beersy50

'89 F-350 7.3 4x4 Dump truck

 

Ditch the vacuum booster and get the hydraboost for a 97 Super Duty.

The cost will be about 600 dollars with new parts, but the brakes are much better.

 

What's involved with a conversion like that other than the hydrabooster itself? I pobably could get a used one from a junk yard cheap.


Beersy50

 

A power steering pump with an extra return line, the hydraboost, and three hoses.

The swap took about 2 hours with my son helping me.



Pressure out from the power steering pump, remove the line completely.
Remove the vacuum booster and plug the vacuum line.
Remove the master cylinder from the vacuum booster.
Install the hydraboost, bolts right on.
Bolt your master cylinder to the hydraboost.
Now a new line goes from power steering pump to hydraboost.
Line from hydraboost to the steering sector where the pressure line was.
And a return line from the hydraboost to the power steering pump.

Fill the power steering pump and work the steerng lock to lock with the engine running.
Check fluid level again.

Ready to go and see what real brakes are.
Use caution till you get used to the brakes again.
Now install a new pressure out line to the hydraboost.

 

My old C10 would do front wheel stands when I was running hydroboost with the rear brakes shut off, as in the rear tires would lift off the ground under heavy stopping. Of course it was a 3900 lbs truck and all the shocks had give up the ghost long before I took ownership of the thing, but still, scared the heck outta some kids behind me once

By the way, I don't know why everyone says stock brakes are bad - I just had to drive my F350 on Sunday without the booster helping me out (vacuum pump went out), truck still stopped better than aforementioned Chevy when it had its stock manual brakes and undersized tires. Weekend before that I was towing round a Celica GT-S, never felt it behind me when I was stopping. Maybe if I hook up some big trailer and try to stop it with just the truck hydroboost would make a big difference, but then again I never pull a big trailer that has no brakes in good working condition, with the idiots we got running round here I just can't afford the risk... Not saying hydroboost ain't a good thing, tis a great brakes upgrade, but make sure you got everything else taken care of beforehand (rotors, pads, drums), and then if you still wanna run the hydro for crying out loud inspect your brake lines and replace everything that you have even doubt about its strength - hydroboost runs about double the line pressure, so everything that ain't 100% solid will blow the first time you lay on the brakes good.

 

So, if I'm understanding correctly I need to get another power steering pump also? If so any brackets? Also is a 97 the only year that will work for the hydraboost?

Beersy50

 

A hydroboost setup from any pre-'97 SuperDuty should be a direct bolt-in. You may or may not need a new pump, the one I have in my truck actually has two return line ports (one is capped off). Also, when I converted my old C10 Chevy to hydroboost I never swapped the pumps, instead I just T-eed both return lines together (you put the one off the brake booster straight through the T-ee tho, the side leg gets the return line off the power steering).