Newbie Question....

[OutCole'd]

I'm looking at a 77' Bronco with Manual brakes, I haven't driven it yet, just bs'ing with the guy so far.

It has manual brakes do they work with a crap? Would I need to do the power booster conversion as soon as I buy it? What do you think?

Thanks.

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi OC..,

I'm 18 yrs. with my manual brakes....still "stop on a dime"..!

Like anything else ..Brake system is only as good as its up keep.

As I've said B4., Ford didn't make these rigs so as NOT to stop..!!

 

[Lyle]

The 77 EB I built before the one I am working on now had factory manual disc brakes. They were excellent and truly did stop on a dime. I never had any problem stopping at any time. That bronco was the finest bronco I had ever built or driven. I always thought I would convert it to power brakes one day, but never really saw much point in it. The 77 I am working on now has factory power brakes and they work fine as well. Not real sure the expense would be worth the reward for a conversion epecially on a 77 with front disc brakes. An earlier EB without discs there is no question, power conversion (and disc conversion) would be a must. My broncos typically run with a tire not much over a 10.50-15, so maybe larger tires/wheels would dictate a conversion for you as well.

 

[Bully Bob]

'Lyle' said.,

The 77 EB I built before the one I am working on now had factory manual disc brakes....................................

Again..,

with 50+ points of interest...!! Where's the pics..!!! > ^_^ /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[OutCole'd]

Ok, Thanks for posting, that's all good news. Hopefully I will pull off the deal, and I can post some pictures then.

 

[Bully Bob]

Cole.,

The pic request was for Lyle...! His signature list is a foot long...& has to be EB of the year..!!

/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[OutCole'd]

Cole.,The pic request was for Lyle...! His signature list is a foot long...& has to be EB of the year..!!

/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

I hear you, I'm surprised his sig does not talk about what kind of wiper blades he's using.....

 

[S_bolt19]

Power & disc brakes is a personal preference. I know Bully Bob loves his originals and he gets them to work wonderfully. Me, on the otherhand, I prefer the power/disc setups. If you are using a tire from stock height up to 31 inches in height, I would say you are going to be fine. Anything above that 31" threshold, I would say at a minimum, do front disc brakes. Simply put, bigger treads = harder to stop. I run power & disc on all 4 corners and absolutely love it. The problem with power is that it takes up a lot of space in the engine compartment and/or requires power steering (hydroboost). But the simple answer is, if you are running smaller than 31" tires, leave it stock, larger, at least do front discs.

 

[Lyle]

'Lyle' said.,The 77 EB I built before the one I am working on now had factory manual disc brakes....................................

Again..,

with 50+ points of interest...!! Where's the pics..!!! > ^_^ /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Bob, I will get pics of my 77 soon. Thanks for the interest. It is a beautiful little bronco.

BTW my 77 has silicon wiper blades.

 

[OutCole'd]

Bob, I will get pics of my 77 soon. Thanks for the interest. It is a beautiful little bronco.BTW my 77 has silicon wiper blades.

LOl, nice! /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[OutCole'd]

OK, next question. The truck has a three speed, on the column. One chore I'm going to want from this is to launch & retrieve my 28' 5k lb boat and put it back in storage. I know it will have the power & weight, just worried, am I going to burn up clutches towing like this?

 

[Bully Bob]

No wonder ya want "brakes" ...!!!

Depends on how far & the terrain....where are you..??

Taking that train up on a freeway would be signing your death warrant.

Clutch would prob. be OK...., it's "jack-knife" potential I would consider.

Short dist. on side-roads should be fine.

 

[OutCole'd]

No wonder ya want "brakes" ...!!!Depends on how far & the terrain....where are you..??

Taking that train up on a freeway would be signing your death warrant.

Clutch would prob. be OK...., it's "jack-knife" potential I would consider.

Short dist. on side-roads should be fine.

Never on a highway, or even a major street, Just about a 1/2 mile from my storage unit to the launch ramp. Flat smooth roads, easy drive. A 2WD P/U will do it now no problem. I've just never towed with a manual and the storage unit can be a tight fit.

The Bronco would stay with the boat in Lake Havasu AZ. Watch for me on Party Heat...... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Bully Bob]

Put a hitch/ball on the nose...makes for easy shed parking.

As for pulling boat out of water/up the ramp.. might want to practice (starting uphill fr. a dead stop) with just the trailer...you'll need to "load" the clutch a bit B/4 releasing the E-brake.

I've seen a few veh. become submarines.... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Have fun..!

B