Best Brake Conversion Option

[NashBronco]

I just picked up a 67' stock bronco! This is my third one but my last one was about 12 years ago. It will be kept mostly stock, it's uncut original paint!. Driven on the street 95% of the time. Probably 30 or 31 tires.
One of my top priorities is getting front disk brakes and power steering. In looking at brake options, I see that there is power brakes and hydroboost. What is the difference? Pros and cons? I read several articles and Hydro seems to be much better. Looks like I have to already have PS to do the hydroboost. Correct?

So enlighten and educate me on what direction is should go. Also, I see WH has several different willwood disk brake options. I assume stock wheels are 15"? So I am looking at the Dynapro 6 ,correct?
I will get pictures up soon in the chat section.
Thanks, Houston

 

[DirtDonk]

In '67 most stock wheels were 15's, but there was the occasional 16" option as well. Just read the sidewall of the tire and know for sure. Besides, they could have been changed.
Never assume anything with a Bronco!

Vacuum boosters and hydro-boost are both "power" brakes. Or power-assist. One just uses engine vacuum and the other uses hydraulic fluid from the power steering pump. So yes, if you have power steering already, you're half way there.
Because of your choice of no larger than 31" tires at this point, you could use either, or just keep stock manual brakes for now. I have both vacuum assist and manual brakes and they both work very well for modest size tires.

When it comes right down to it though, the hydroboost is noticeably more powerful. So you have to use less pedal pressure for any brake/tire combination. The size of the available vacuum boosters that will fit under the hood of a Bronco limits their relative effectiveness.
Neither has an advantage in packaging though, as they both had junk sticking out of the firewall and into your space. Manual brakes only has the master cylinder bolted right to the firewall.

So at this point, I'd say it's up to you. But your modest tire size choice is going to make your life easier.
Personally I say keep it manual at first. Do the disc swap and see how you like it. If you don't, then you can go power.

For the discs themselves, you only have the one choice of using the swapped-in GM parts that all of us vendors put in our kits. They're a Bendix design (factory supplier to all the big-three OE's) but were found on GM vehicles as Ford went a different route.
The good news is that they bolt right on with very little hassle and only some grinding on the stock knuckle to allow them to fit.

For your stated use, you don't need to upgrade to a larger Dana 44 up front for any reason I can see. Unless you wanted to keep it all Ford in the brake department (not needed, but cool to some) because the Ford brakes only bolt on to a 44. Whereas the GM's will work on both.

Of course the main bottom line is that with any new-to-you Bronco you always need to verify stuff first. It's shocking what things have been done to, swapped on to, or cut off of, our Broncos after (literally in your case) 50 years of use.
So verify even that you still have a 30 up front.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[rjrobin2002]

I prefer what is referred to as the Chevy conversion because you get to retain the stock knuckles and steering. You just replace your spindle, put some full size bronco disk hubs and rotors, and use Chevy backing plates and calipers. All of the vendors sell this kit. You must have power steering to run hydroboost. So either do a power steering conversion and plumb a hydroboost in while at it, or get the BC Broncos vacuum boost kit.

https://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/pro...a-30-44-66-77-early-ford-bronco-all-new-parts

 

[Sporto]

Hi Houston,
Welcome to the site, and congrats on your purchase. I would say that PS and Discs are the easiest and most effective way to modernize your Bronco and make it much easier and safer to drive. PS kits are getting expensive, but the vendors sell them as needed. A rebuilt 4 turn PS box and Saginaw "canned ham" pump are ideal for the street and some mild wheeling. There are cheaper alternatives for the PS upgrade using parts from later Fords, but I am not familiar enough to offer an opinion either way.

The disc kits the vendors sell are also an easy upgrade. There are many versions of this kit online so shop around. I would opt for the entire kit with new parts, and get everything needed. I would also consider the factory brake booster (OEM or Aftermarket) to enhance the discs' ability to stop.

While a nice upgrade for many, i you're not wheeling the truck heavily than I am not sure a hydroboost is necessary. Just my .02.

I think a lot of it boils down to money when it comes to these upgrades, and if you have the means to buy the complete kits from the vendor, you will be that much farther ahead because you're using new parts from a kit that has been successfully used in the past.

Good luck

Rich

 

[NashBronco]

Thanks Paul. Very good advice. I hadn't really though of just doing the disk conversion but I assume there is no harm in just doing the disk and keep in manual and then see how things are. I believe it is a Dana 30, but how do I verify.

I am gonna tackle most all of the issues my self. I have a lot to learn and will prove my ignorance many times over.

 

[doghows72]

What ever route you go make sure you're comparing apples to apples as far as the kits. I just did this and none of the kits have all the same parts. Some have a prop valve some don't. Some come with bearings and some it's an uncharged. So do your homework and find the best fit for you. Also keep in mind shipping is a bitch on brake kit as they are heavy.
I will do a write up on my install here soon and I went with the horsepower sales off eBay for me!!

 

[NashBronco]

Thanks for the tips rjrobin. Is the link you posted one of the "chevy conversions"

Rich, I am thinking hat you may be correct about the Hydro. I will do no wheeling with this ride. I like he idea of the kit. Being a novice wrenched, I do not want to have to worry about searching for the right parts and piecing it together.

Dogshow72, look forward to the write up on your install.

 

[bmbm]

disc + ps

These are great upgrades. I have the non power assist GM conversion and it has good feel and stops well but I have purchased a booster and it will be installed as soon as I have a chance. I have 30's now going to 31's and want the power assist feel.

 

[69broncofun]

I was told by the PO that my power steering is GM . Anyone heard of this?

 

[SteveL]

The ps being gm could mean a Saginaw pump which is better than the Ford design or gm 1 ton tie rod swap which is good too. If you're gonna spend the money for power brakes just get hydroboost and be done with it.

 

[DirtDonk]

...I believe it is a Dana 30, but how do I verify.

Pretty easy once you know how!
Check out the two gasket types pictured here: http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/Bronco_Dana30
Notice the Dana 30 cover and gasket is more symmetrical, while the 44 is odd-shaped and taller to one side.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

The ps being gm could mean a Saginaw pump which is better than the Ford design or gm 1 ton tie rod swap which is good too...

What Steve said. But one more aspect of that GM thing is that there are Broncos out there with GM steering gear boxes mounted on the outside of the frame. Even Stropped did that on their early conversions.

Good reason to post up pics so we can check this thing out.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

The ps being gm could mean a Saginaw pump which is better than the Ford design or gm 1 ton tie rod swap which is good too...

What Steve said. But one more aspect of that GM thing is that there are Broncos out there with GM steering gear boxes mounted on the outside of the frame. Even Stropped did that on their early conversions.

Good reason to post up pics so we can check this thing out.

Paul

 

[Trc6977]

Does anyone have the break down list on what is needed to convert the dana 30 front dusc brakes. So I can round it up new becouse they are OE. I may have some of what I need. And I dont want to pay all that shipping on a kit.

Thanks Tim

 

[McLeod]

Here you go:
http://classicbroncos.com/disc-list.shtml

 

[gr8scott]

I don't think you can buy the backing plates and spindles brand new OE from a parts store. But here they are:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-4WD-...&sd=231004264309&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Early-Bron...&sd=231004264309&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

 

[nvrstuk]

X2 what Paul said on keeping the discs manual. You will have ZERO issues with a hard pedal or not having a good "feel" when using manual mc with discs... engine compartment looks much cleaner without the huge booster or hydroboost hanging off the firewall. Two local buddies run 35 and 37" tires on manual disc brakes w/o any issues. I've driven them both and they work great...

I personally would never go with the Chevy conversion for discs because the knuckle opening is much smaller than the Ford knuckle. This won't mean a thing IF you a building a mall cruiser but IF you go off road and make sure you ask the guys who do because they will all admit that trying to swap an axle on the trail that has grenaded ears or blown up ujoint that removing the axle out thru the smaller knuckle is absolutely no fun on the trail !! Essentially never a problem with the larger Ford knuckle opening.

Good luck and welcome to the site

Thanks Paul. Very good advice. I hadn't really though of just doing the disk conversion but I assume there is no harm in just doing the disk and keep in manual and then see how things are. I believe it is a Dana 30, but how do I verify.

I am gonna tackle most all of the issues my self. I have a lot to learn and will prove my ignorance many times over.

 

[1sicbronconut]

I'll go along with everybody else I actually have four wheel manual disc brakes on my uncut Bronco with 33" tires and they work great. I'm guessing you still have a Dana 30 if your Bronco is still stock and as far as I know the only swap that will work will be the chevy parts swap.