power brake conversion

[green73]

hi, I am looking at converting my 1973 bronco with front drum brakes to power brakes. Can i use the stock master cylinder with a booster and mounting bracket or do i need to buy a different master cylinder along with the booster and bracket? If so what kind of master cylinder would i need to get since i dont want to convert to the front drum brakes to disc brakes.(I know it would stop better, just have a lack of funds)

 

[S_bolt19]

Save your money and do the disc brake conversion, if you eventually want them, on the front before you go with power brakes. That is the absolute best advice you are going to get out of me. Boosters or hydroboost are great, but they aren't worth it unless you have at a minimum of disc up front. The drum brakes will work great if you adjust them and keep them correctly adjusted. But like I said, save your money and do a junkyard Chevy conversion on your fronts. Blazer calipers & mounting brackets, Bronco spindles & rotors. It is really easy to do and you can get the junkyard parts for close to $100 and use the rotors & calipers for cores on new ones.

But to answer your question, I think the booster system will come with a new master cylinder. I am pretty sure that BC Bronco's does.

 

[green73]

thanks for the input. What year blazer parts are we talking? Can i still use my stock hubs because my buddy had to buy warn hubs when he did the disc conversion kit from bronco graveyard. i saw the whole conversion kit from bc broncos comes with a new master cylinder but i figured if i could just buy the booster it would save me some money since my master cylinder is already newer

 

[chase8266]

http://www.classicbroncos.com you can get most of your info at this website for brake conversion,i would not buy a disc conversion when it is so easy and cheaper to hit the junkyard for the parts you need.i dont know the years right off hand but i think any chevy 4x4 1500 with a dana 44 will have the parts you need

 

[green73]

So can I use my original master cylinder with a brake booster or will it not work?

 

[Bully Bob]

Hay green., do this...,

Insp./clean/test your brakes head to tail...shoes should fit the drum., all wheel cyl. working as they should., all lines good w/no leaks., Porp.valve functioning., etc.

You've posted no info. on your rig so this is in general.

"These rigs were NOT built with the intention to NOT stop..!" /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

If you're having a prob. stopping then there's likely an issue somewhere. Swapping parts may just be a band-aid to a growing problem.

Once the brake sys. is up to spec.., then a booster is an option but you may find you don't need it. Same for disc's.

Side note; some boosters req. cutting or bending the inner fender-well.

99% sure your new M/C will fit & work on a vac. booster but you would need to confirm with the supplier of the bracket & booster.

HTH.,

B

 

[green73]

My bronco stops decently with the stock tires but I am getting some 33s and i figured id need a little better brakes to stop safely. Thanks for everyones input.

 

[S_bolt19]

Honestly, I don't know if the original manual MC will work or not with a booster set up. Your best bet is to call one of the vendors. They won't mind you asking the simple question either. Chuck at BC is really great to work with and will answer any question you have, if you buy from him or not.

That being said, and now that you said you are going to go with 33s, I would scrap the plan to do a booster and do discs. The bigger meats require a lot more stopping power than the drums are designed for. As for parts, here is a list you can scrounge out of a junk yard...

Hub & Rotor assembly:

Ford Bronco - 78-80

F-100 - 76

F-150 - 76-80

Spindle:

Chevy K5 Blazer or GMC Jimmy - 72-76

Caliper:

Chevy K5 Blazer or GMC Jimmy - 71-78

You will still be able to use your hub guts, but you won't be able to put the outer snap ring on the axle stub. You are going to have to put a fender washer & bolt in the end of the axle to hold the gear cluster in place of using that snap ring. On the outer hub, the outer snap ring will still be still be used, the one you can use a small ***** driver to pop out. I don't know why your friend had to use the Warn hubs, they aren't as good as the original hubs are.

 

[Bully Bob]

THAT., is a great & simple explaination of this proceedure, especially including the donor vehicles...!!

(This subject comes up every week or so.)

From Hub & rotor assembly & down, should be given a title & PINNED at the top of this topic page..!! /

(Maybe a moderator will look into that.)

 

[bigbluebronc]

THAT., is a great & simple explaination of this proceedure, especially including the donor vehicles...!!

(This subject comes up every week or so.)

From Hub & rotor assembly & down, should be given a title & PINNED at the top of this topic page..!! /

(Maybe a moderator will look into that.)

Know I now what brake pads I need thank you, sbolt and bully, my pads are getting thin in the front, I am sure new pads and a quick disk turn will make the old bronc stop better, thank you, and a quick brake fuild bleed too............

 

[S_bolt19]

Know I now what brake pads I need

I use 76 Blazer pads on mine. The guys at the parts counter always look at me like I have 3 eyes when I tell them what it's going on.