How to fix my braking power? What would you do?

[FWP]

1 ton axles, 4- 3/4 ton calipers on 42's. Stock M/C and Combo valve (75K5 Vacuum boost). I can't lock em up on pavement, even smashing the pedal with both feet (the pedal does not go to the floor BTW). After searching til my eyes went buggy, there's alot of opinions, but no answers for me.

If you have my setup, or were in my shoes, what would you do, and why?

 

[tRustyK5]

I run hydroboost with a C30 MC, stock combo/prop valve, D60 front brakes (bendix calipers) and D44 rear brakes. I can lock all 4 39.5's on dry pavement. IMO hydroboost is vastly superior to vac boost, and the larger bendix front calipers also probably help.

Rene

 

[walla2k5]

I have basically the same set-up as tRustyK5,stopping the 44's is no problem.

 

[FWP]

I run hydroboost with a C30 MC, stock combo/prop valve, D60 front brakes (bendix calipers) and D44 rear brakes. I can lock all 4 39.5's on dry pavement. IMO hydroboost is vastly superior to vac boost, and the larger bendix front calipers also probably help.

Rene

Understood. That being said, Hydroboost would not be in the cards for me. I need to have all the power steering power available to the steering box and ram.

 

[tRustyK5]

I'm pretty sure Russ uses hydro boost and hydro assist steering...my box is tapped and ready.

Rene

 

[FWP]

Yes he does, he'll tell you about braking vs. steering at the same time. Hence why I'm shying from HB

 

[jms]

Fred, would it be possible to run a second hydraulic pump - one for PS, one for HB? Using smog pump brackets and run the lines along the front x-member?

Also, I seem to remember a post about using a vac booster/MC from a '79 1-ton as improvement for braking...

 

[Emmettology 101]

I think where your system may be lacking is the M/C and valve. Have you looked into swapping in a 1 ton master and do away with the stock combo valve? Run full power to the fronts(line straight from the master to the calipers) and then run a Wilwood style prop. valve for the rears..

I think there was another post on here for another option to a 4wheel disc master cylinder...
**EDIT** Link to master cylinder thread: LINK

 

[marv_springer]

I can't lock em up on pavement, even smashing the pedal with both feet (the pedal does not go to the floor BTW).

what would you do, and why?

What business you got locking up tires, ennyhow...?!

I'd wheel it just the way it is.

Marv

 

[SCOOBYDANNN]

I'd say swap your tires for some 38's j/k

I don't know exactly why, but all I had was a stock brake system with disks in the back and I could lock all fours (with the 42's). (it was neat to see peoples faces when that happened) it was even pretty touchy, as in, very little pedal movement to even start braking.

stock 83 booster, master, and proportion valve. (I swapped everything over to the new truck so I hope it is the same.

 

[crawlink5]

Hydroboost. If I had to do it over I'd go hydro again. I never press more than 1/2" in stopping.

Just put another power steering pump.