Add Power Brakes

[JustA77]

Hello All,

I'm looking for a list of everything I need to either pull from JY or buy from parts store in order to add power brakes to my non power '77 Stepside.

I believe it just Booster, New MC and a proportioning valve... Is that correct? Anything else? Part numbers would be helpful as well.

I know there has to be a specific post on the forum pertaining to this but using the search I was unsuccessful. Can someone please list the parts here or provide a link to an older post.

Thanks!

[zieg85]

Just wondering why you want power brakes?  Other than the effort it takes how does your brakes work otherwise? 

[bcstingray]

I switched from manual brakes on my 73 to power brakes and I just bought the brake booster and master cylinder, I didn't change the proportioning valve. Have great stopping power with my 400HP/350.

One thing you'll have to do is drill two holes at the top when you put the booster on. Put the new booster on, mark the spots and drill the holes.

I would suggest to buy new parts or rebuilt parts from auto stores. I bought a used brake booster and master cylinder that was supposed to be good but wasn't. I bought my booster and master cylinder from RockAuto.

[JustA77]

Just wondering why you want power brakes?  Other than the effort it takes how does your brakes work otherwise?

To be honest, my brakes suck. I have to press the pedal all the way to the floor and even with that the truck seems as if I does not want to stop. First I was thinking just upgrade the brake lines but then I figured converting to power wouldn't hurt either.


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[JustA77]

I switched from manual brakes on my 73 to power brakes and I just bought the brake booster and master cylinder, I didn't change the proportioning valve. Have great stopping power with my 400HP/350.

One thing you'll have to do is drill two holes at the top when you put the booster on. Put the new booster on, mark the spots and drill the holes.

I would suggest to buy new parts or rebuilt parts from auto stores. I bought a used brake booster and master cylinder that was supposed to be good but wasn't. I bought my booster and master cylinder from RockAuto.

Thanks I appreciate the info. I'll check out RockAuto, I've heard good things about them.


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[zieg85]

Somethings not right.  Manual brakes work fantastic, even better than power when it is all right.  There is more pedal pressure but should lock up at will if you need to...  Change all your rubber hoses, and make sure your rear wheel cylinders are not froze or partially froze up.                                                               

[roundhouse]

The stopping power comes from the front brakes

The pedal feel comes from the back brakes

You need to check out and probably replace the rear shoes probably the wheel cylinders too and the front pads and probably all three of the rubber hoses and bleed it good and then you might need a new master cylinder too

I'd swap it all at once.  The parts are not expensive and buy new , not rebuilt

After all that if you still want power brakes.  Adding the booster is easy


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[JustA77]

Somethings not right.  Manual brakes work fantastic, even better than power when it is all right.  There is more pedal pressure but should lock up at will if you need to...  Change all your rubber hoses, and make sure your rear wheel cylinders are not froze or partially froze up.                                                             

Yeah something is definitely not right! Lol. Thanks for the suggestions. My 1st instinct was to change the hoses. I'll check to see what I can see with the cylinders today.

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[JustA77]

The stopping power comes from the front brakes

The pedal feel comes from the back brakes

You need to check out and probably replace the rear shoes probably the wheel cylinders too and the front pads and probably all three of the rubber hoses and bleed it good and then you might need a new master cylinder too

I'd swap it all at once.  The parts are not expensive and buy new , not rebuilt

After all that if you still want power brakes.  Adding the booster is easy


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Lol I'll bet it'll be easy after all that. After chatting with a few people its seems allot are in favor of standard brakes. This weekend I think I'll just overhaul the system and do everything you mentioned. Thanks

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[Irish_Alley]

go see your other post, i think someone just took the booster off your power brakes

[roundhouse]

go see your other post, i think someone just took the booster off your power brakes

Could be.    And that would explain why they don't work very well

I'm sure there is a way to measure the brake pedal and see if it's a manual pedal or a power booster pedal

I've never seen a square body with manual brakes


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