What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Hydroboost on 1st gen

MNorby

MNorby

3/4 ton status
GMOTM Winner
Joined
Dec 10, 2001
Posts
6,206
Reaction score
314
Location
Powell, Wy
Anyone retrofit hydroboost brakes on one of our rigs? I am getting all the parts from a donor 91 1-ton just seeing what snags I'll run into. Was reading in the garage that most people have to use the brake pedal assembly on there later model truck swaps and such
 
I reused my pedals on mine with no problems.

The easiest way I've found to mount the hydroboost unit is remove the mounting plate, there is a snap ring and a big lock nut that holds it on. Remove the studs from the mounting plate and now you'll have a perfect template for where to drill holes. If you don't like the hole placement then build a new mounting plate and reuse the original mounting holes.

The hardest part for me (which wasn't very hard) was figuring where to cut the pushrod and welding and sleeving the rod, but I was able to reuse the threaded portion of the original push rod and reuse the original hole in the pedal.


I used off the shelf lines: 36595 (Carquest) pump to hydroboost and 35764 hydroboost to box.
The lines are metric o-ring style so you'll have to change the fitting in your pump to match.
The hydroboost to box line will need to be modified to attach to the original steel line to the box. I cut the end off both lines, double flared and connected them together with a union.
The lines are quite cheap at about 20 bucks each and pretty easy to find so if you lose one it'll be easy to replace.
This is one of the single best mods I did on my rig, the difference is night and day even compared to the bigger 1 ton vacuum booster. 1 day of work and about 100 dollars in parts = big rewards when you've got to stop in a hurry.
 
I have the whole donor truck to get everythign from. The MC, booster, pedals, PS Pump, steering box, hoses, etc whatever I need
 
yeah I'll use its PS pump and the box and put my 2wd sector shaft in it and tap it for my assist
 
BigBlock72, do you have hydro assist along with the hydroboost brakes? Did you use your old pump or the pump with the hydroboost? Did you mod the vavle any. How does it work under steering and braking at same time?
 
I'm not running hydro assist with mine. I have all the parts to do it but I'm worried if the hydroboost will restrict fluid flow down too much to be able steer quickly. From what I've been seeing some people are happy with them and some people aren't:confused:. Since mine steers ok without I haven't worried about too much. If I do decide to install a ram I'll probably add another pump for just the hydroboost.


I reused my original pump and added a tee for the return and it works just fine.
 
yeah thats my concern with boost and assist. Friends 1-ton has both and its ok but can feel some fade when steering/braking. I might just hold onto these parts for a while and just try a different MC first.
 
I'm using the power steering pump that was with the donor truck's hydroboost system and I've never felt any "fade" when steering and braking.
 
I don't have a ram hooked up to assist with steering, if that is what you are asking. Just normal power steering from the pump that feeds the hydroboost.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom