hydro to vacuum boost - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Bigger Valves · 05-29-2003, 05:16 PM

is there any info out there on switching from hydro boost brakes to vacuum boost?? i'm thinking of doing this on my '87 1 ton..

pcorssmit · 05-29-2003, 05:23 PM

Hydro is better. Keep it.

Pete

lil smokie · 05-29-2003, 06:55 PM

why would you want to change?

BadDog · 05-29-2003, 07:16 PM

Originally, I was like you. I didn't like the idea of all those hydro lines to leak and potentially blow. However, Pete and others convinced me to keep it for a while and give it a try. Other than the problems it has caused me on my 2" Hydro assist, I have not regreted it one time. It has MUCH more power than any vac system. I'll give you the same advice I got, and I'm glad I took it. Run it for a while. If it bugs you, then swap it. At least you'll know exactly what the trade off is, and you may decide to go back to hydro!

As far as swapping, it's pretty much a bolt on. Just get everything from the rod on the pedal (seems I recal that the pedal may need slight mod, or get it too) to the back of the MC. MCs are the same IIRC. Seems like there are 2 of the mounting studs that have to be removed too...

Bigger Valves · 05-29-2003, 07:31 PM

main reason i want to swap it out is because i'm going full hydro w/ the factory pump..

russ,
what did it do to your hydro assist that caused problems?? that's my worry..

BadDog · 05-29-2003, 09:27 PM

Well, I really didn't *do* anything except add a 2" ram. The stock pump just can't keep up (even with flow mods) at idle. When your nose down and way off camber at idle, you can either brake, or steer, pick *ONE*. So I have to (counter intuitively) hold the brake, hit the gas to bring 'er up to a little over 1k rpms, THEN I can steer and ease of the brake to go forward. Not much fun when that off camber has you looking over a 200' sheer drop off 10 feet from your front left tire and your trying to turn and go along the edge!

I'm currently looking for a smaller diameter pulley to increase low rpm flow (I never get over 4k anyway), or maybe I'll mount 2 remote reservoir pump housings with one reservoir to get enough flow. I'm not even considering ditching the hydro-boost if that tells you anything... I would probalby go to a smaller ram first.

Bigger Valves · 05-30-2003, 03:59 AM

haha, either brake OR steer.. i'll give it a try.. but even at idle with my foot on the brake i don't *ever* wanna not be able to steer.. that's what i was worried about..

but if i do decide to switch, what booster do i need?? 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton?? and does anybody know about the pedal mods that might need to be done?? thanks guys..

charlo · 05-30-2003, 08:18 PM

Go crazy and mout a second pump next to the first. Have one for the brakes and maybe even a hydraulic winch and one just for the ram

. Sound a little crazy but you could redneck one together for prolly $50 and a little welding rod.

Charlo

Bigger Valves · 05-31-2003, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by charlo
Go crazy and mout a second pump next to the first. Have one for the brakes and maybe even a hydraulic winch and one just for the ram . Sound a little crazy but you could redneck one together for prolly $50 and a little welding rod.

Charlo

well, i actually think that sounds pretty damn smart.. best idea yet.. i've got the room after i ditch the air pump off the pass side of the small block.. anybody got any photos of a 2nd ps pump on a 350??

BadDog · 05-31-2003, 09:48 AM

From my post above.

Quote:

I'm currently looking for a smaller diameter pulley to increase low rpm flow (I never get over 4k anyway), or maybe I'll mount 2 remote reservoir pump housings with one reservoir to get enough flow.

If you decide to run 2 pumps, you will have to go remote to have room without piecing it like a puzzle. At least remote would be much easier. You can also tie both into the same over size reservoir/cooler too.

Bigger Valves · 06-01-2003, 08:54 AM

russ,
definately remote reservoir would be the way to go.. and i could run just about any pump i wanted too.. i'd only tie my hydro steering pump into my cooler and reservoir because i'd like to keep these systems separate.. it's more important i keep my steering fluid for the ram as cool as possible.. i don't really care about the hydro boost temperature.. so each system independent is the way i'll go..

odee · 06-01-2003, 12:52 PM

I think the pedal pivot bolt were the rod hooks up to is a different size. I had to change my pedals out in my truck when I put it back together.

mytzlflick · 06-05-2003, 03:48 PM

for mine I just bolted in the 3/4 ton stuff including the rod, everything else bolted up fine. you will need to add a connection to the manifold to hook it up to. I have never had a problem stopping with the vacum setup.

05-29-2003, 05:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bigger Valves Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3483 Location: NC Posts: 2,279	hydro to vacuum boost is there any info out there on switching from hydro boost brakes to vacuum boost?? i'm thinking of doing this on my '87 1 ton.. __________________ Benny 350/350/205/60/60/linked/locked/lowered

05-29-2003, 05:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
pcorssmit Rock God Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4406 Location: Denver Posts: 2,335	Hydro is better. Keep it. Pete __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways , beer in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOW, what a ride."

05-29-2003, 07:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
BadDog Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8211 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,253	Originally, I was like you. I didn't like the idea of all those hydro lines to leak and potentially blow. However, Pete and others convinced me to keep it for a while and give it a try. Other than the problems it has caused me on my 2" Hydro assist, I have not regreted it one time. It has MUCH more power than any vac system. I'll give you the same advice I got, and I'm glad I took it. Run it for a while. If it bugs you, then swap it. At least you'll know exactly what the trade off is, and you may decide to go back to hydro! As far as swapping, it's pretty much a bolt on. Just get everything from the rod on the pedal (seems I recal that the pedal may need slight mod, or get it too) to the back of the MC. MCs are the same IIRC. Seems like there are 2 of the mounting studs that have to be removed too... __________________ Russ 85 K30 truggy, 350 TBI, TH350, 203/205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked, 42" TSLs, 4" lift, 112" wheel base, front leafs, rear double triangulated 4 link with coils.

05-29-2003, 07:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bigger Valves Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3483 Location: NC Posts: 2,279	main reason i want to swap it out is because i'm going full hydro w/ the factory pump.. russ, what did it do to your hydro assist that caused problems?? that's my worry.. __________________ Benny 350/350/205/60/60/linked/locked/lowered

05-29-2003, 09:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
BadDog Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8211 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,253	Well, I really didn't do anything except add a 2" ram. The stock pump just can't keep up (even with flow mods) at idle. When your nose down and way off camber at idle, you can either brake, or steer, pick ONE. So I have to (counter intuitively) hold the brake, hit the gas to bring 'er up to a little over 1k rpms, THEN I can steer and ease of the brake to go forward. Not much fun when that off camber has you looking over a 200' sheer drop off 10 feet from your front left tire and your trying to turn and go along the edge! I'm currently looking for a smaller diameter pulley to increase low rpm flow (I never get over 4k anyway), or maybe I'll mount 2 remote reservoir pump housings with one reservoir to get enough flow. I'm not even considering ditching the hydro-boost if that tells you anything... I would probalby go to a smaller ram first. __________________ Russ 85 K30 truggy, 350 TBI, TH350, 203/205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked, 42" TSLs, 4" lift, 112" wheel base, front leafs, rear double triangulated 4 link with coils.

05-29-2003, 06:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
lil smokie Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Member # 19989 Location: Las Cruces New Mexico Posts: 12	why would you want to change?

05-30-2003, 03:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
Bigger Valves Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3483 Location: NC Posts: 2,279	haha, either brake OR steer.. i'll give it a try.. but even at idle with my foot on the brake i don't ever wanna not be able to steer.. that's what i was worried about.. but if i do decide to switch, what booster do i need?? 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton?? and does anybody know about the pedal mods that might need to be done?? thanks guys.. __________________ Benny 350/350/205/60/60/linked/locked/lowered

05-30-2003, 08:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
charlo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9357 Location: Mojave Posts: 1,200	Go crazy and mout a second pump next to the first. Have one for the brakes and maybe even a hydraulic winch and one just for the ram . Sound a little crazy but you could redneck one together for prolly $50 and a little welding rod. Charlo __________________ Scrap metal with a chevy logo in front. BB,FI,1T,

06-01-2003, 08:54 AM	#11 (permalink)
Bigger Valves Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3483 Location: NC Posts: 2,279	russ, definately remote reservoir would be the way to go.. and i could run just about any pump i wanted too.. i'd only tie my hydro steering pump into my cooler and reservoir because i'd like to keep these systems separate.. it's more important i keep my steering fluid for the ram as cool as possible.. i don't really care about the hydro boost temperature.. so each system independent is the way i'll go.. __________________ Benny 350/350/205/60/60/linked/locked/lowered

06-01-2003, 12:52 PM	#12 (permalink)
odee Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Member # 613 Location: Big Stone Gap, VA., USA Posts: 864	I think the pedal pivot bolt were the rod hooks up to is a different size. I had to change my pedals out in my truck when I put it back together.

06-05-2003, 03:48 PM	#13 (permalink)
mytzlflick Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Member # 800 Location: petawawa ontario Posts: 1,088	for mine I just bolted in the 3/4 ton stuff including the rod, everything else bolted up fine. you will need to add a connection to the manifold to hook it up to. I have never had a problem stopping with the vacum setup. __________________ my dodge sucked, I went superduty

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode