Hydro boost remorse?

[76BroncoPete]

Thinking about going the hydro boost route. Anybody regret making the conversion? If so why? Also hydro boost praise testimonials welcome. Thanks,

Pete

 

[SteveL]

Only regret is not doing it sooner.

 

[hatleyjm]

I second SteveL's response. I went directly from manual to hydroboost and it was a game changer. I added power steering at the same time and the hydroboost units were pretty inexpensive...plus I figured if I ever went with bigger tires than the 33's I have now, i'm future proofed.

 

[thegreatjustino]

I converted my stock '68 to hydroboost a number of years ago. It stops better than my modern car. If I drive the Bronco for a few days in a row and get used to the braking of it, then drive my modern car, I start to worry that something is wrong with the brakes in the modern car since I'm so used to the stopping power of the Bronco. It's amazing that a 50+ year old Bronco stops better than a modern car, but the system really is as good as everyone says.

 

[76BroncoPete]

Thanks for the responses guys

 

[bmc69]

I'm down to only one of my Ford trucks left to convert to hydroboost. It's an '89 F-250..and will be getting the upgrade soon as I get to it.

 

[hyghlndr]

Said no one ever . Seriously unless a show car, 100% stock restoration you will barely ever drive there will be no regrets.

Take time to clean up, paint and install. Check for any leaks, then be CAREFUL when you first drive it. The change is so dramatic it still surprises me everytime.

 

[Glass Pony]

Like Steve said, "should have done it sooner".
Instead, I went down the rabbit hole, vacuum booster, T-bird calipers, etc. in search of better brakes. wasted a lot of time and money.
Go Hydroboost and be done.

 

[sk1nw4lk3r]

Be prepared to replace your windshield, because the first time you drive the truck after install, you may put yourself through it LOL. Night and day difference.

If you're turning big tires and/or on a hopped up engine, it's a solid addition.

 

[76BroncoPete]

Thanks for all the great responses. I’ll be heading the hydro boost route soon. Hopefully without needing to replace my windshield or breaking my face, ha.

 

[Mostly70]

Good info on Hydroboost. I see that Duff, WH and Jeff's carry a system (appears to be the same one). And Toms carries one that looks different.

Any opinions on the best source or simply a matter of price?

 

[SteveL]

Good info on Hydroboost. I see that Duff, WH and Jeff's carry a system (appears to be the same one). And Toms carries one that looks different.

Any opinions on the best source or simply a matter of price?

Junkyard

 

[Broncobowsher]

Only the first lap around the block. Then I loved them.
That first lap I was so accustomed to manual brakes (with the horrible advise of an oversized master cylinder) that I had to re-calibrate my foot in the other direction. After years of rock hard pedal with zero travel, actually having a light pedal that had some travel to it was a strange feeling. But a quarter mile later I was in love.

 

[Nothing Special]

I'll offer one SLIGHT regret. I flat tow my Bronco and use an air cylinder pushing on the brake pedal to work the Bronco's brakes for trailer brakes. With the hydroboost the "trailer brakes" are much weaker than they were with the vacuum assist brakes I had previously. This is obviously without the power assist, but it is likely indicative of how the brakes would work in an emergency if the power assist was lost for some reason.

That said, no, I really don't regret it. The brakes are great (with the engine running)

 

[rocknhorse76]

Junkyard

Yep. Junkyard Astro or Super Duty booster and use the master cylinder for a core on a new one. I pieced my system together for about 1/4 of the cost of a kit from the vendors.

 

[NickC24]

Can you use the explorer pump with these kits. I have heard that they aren't strong enough. Is there a pump strong enough that works with the explorer front drive accessory unit preferably with two outlets to avoid using the T in the plumbing ofd the lines.

 

[sanndmann3]

I'm running a junkyard Explorer pump, 4x4x2 box and hydroboost and have no issues.
If you want a Saginaw pump, Wild Horses makes a bracket with the correct offset ...

Explorer 5.0 Delphi/Saginaw Pump Bracket Set non A/C only

Here is the simple straight forward way to get a Saginaw/Delphi pump on your 96-2001 Explorer 5.0. This bracket set will replace the entire stock driver side aluminum bracket which held the A/C compressor and the steering pump. The bracket set is for non-A/C use only. You will not be able to...

www.wildhorses4x4.com

 

[76BroncoPete]

I'll offer one SLIGHT regret. I flat tow my Bronco and use an air cylinder pushing on the brake pedal to work the Bronco's brakes for trailer brakes. With the hydroboost the "trailer brakes" are much weaker than they were with the vacuum assist brakes I had previously. This is obviously without the power assist, but it is likely indicative of how the brakes would work in an emergency if the power assist was lost for some reason.

That said, no, I really don't regret it. The brakes are great (with the engine running)

Thanks for this perspective

 

[ngsd]

I'm dealing with a custom serpentine system that the pump cant handle it right now. Not sure what the solution is but it is driving me crazy. Using the Saginaw pump on my other build worked fine and I loved the Hydro.

 

[Shimmy]

lots of guys running "junkyard" kits here. i personally wanted all new components and dont have the time to search the yards here. i bought the WH MOAB kit