Best power brake booster

[6677ebman]

Ok my '71 has disk & a factory power brake booster (off of a '77) anyways I believe I'm going to drive it more this year & I want better brakes. SO, my question is, who's got the best booster for the $$ nowadays?? I'm old school, a factory booster was good to me, but I'm ready for an upgrade. You're yjoughts??

 

[bronconut73]

These boys like the Astro hydro boost unit. Quite a few guys here have a parts list of everything you need. If purchased used it can be cheaper than the vacuum booster. But in your case the vacuum booster will likely be a lot easier.
I think some of the vendors boosters may only work with their bracket. There is a real real thin double diaphragm, a Mustang I I style, and one of the vendors has a bracket that let's you use a stock style booster but due to the design of their bracket the stock booster won't hit the fender well on '66 to '75 eb's.
Check out TBP, BC, Duff, and WH.

 

[70_Steve]

I'm old school, a factory booster was good to me, but I'm ready for an upgrade. You're yjoughts??

Hydroboost! I installed a 76 Dana 44 w/ disk brakes and all the factory 76 booster, proportioning valve, etc. Never was happy with the stopping power, especially with 35's. Decided to go hydroboost, and was absolutely amazed at the increase in stopping power. One of the best, if not the best, upgrade I've done!!!

See a write-up to the identical upgrade here: http://www.emotoman.com/4x4/hydroboost/hydroboost.html

 

[TN1776]

My first booster was from WH (and has BCB stamped on it). It failed after a few years. Replaced it with a booster from Tom's which is slightly different. Felt a little better than the first one... but then I drove Lars' rig which is equipped with hydroboost. That will be my next booster upgrade if/when the time comes; the difference is huge.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Best booster, Hydroboost
Best source for the hydroboost, that is a debate that will never end.

 

[blubuckaroo]

I got this one from Kragens (now Orileys) about six years ago. It came assembled with the master cylinder. It still works great.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...ck=Search_01305_1105580_-1&pt=01305&ppt=C0066

 

[6677ebman]

OK, so if I went into O'Reillys to get a price on a hydroboost, equipped with a master cylinder, what exactly do I ask for?? U know they're gonna ask for year/model, whatever else. I'm not totally ignorant lol, just never done anything like this to an EB. Thanks

 

[rguest3]

I have had the Tom's Vacuum Booster which is a nice improvement from the stock 76-77 Booster.

The Local pick-n-pull charges $100.00 for Everything needed from an Astro Van for the Hydroboost conversion. Make sure you get the Push Rod, Spring and Retainer as well because these items do not usually come with a New Hydro Unit.

 

[6677ebman]

OK thanks for the help, guys! I'll prob try to find one in a junkyard for starters, is it strictly Astros, or other GM minivans?? What years??

 

[.94 OR]

I made my kit using a larger diameter vacuum can from a Mustang. Given the age of the rig, I think the 4 drums stop pretty good with this setup.

 

[SteveL]

Look up vanco brakes. Complete kit for a little over 700 all new parts

 

[Broncobowsher]

OK thanks for the help, guys! I'll prob try to find one in a junkyard for starters, is it strictly Astros, or other GM minivans?? What years??

Astros are a common one. But some Superduty trucks also have them. the last one I used was from a '97 Mustang GT (Needed when they stuffed the 4.6 into the last of the fox platform mustangs). Lots of options exist, not just Astros.

 

[70_Steve]

Astros are a common one. But some Superduty trucks also have them.

I used one from a 2000 Superduty. I like it because the brake pushrod is almost exactly the same length as the stock Bronco pushrod.

 

[broncojo]

Yep superduty here also, with a ranger M/C. But I like to use the Ford stuff, just a preference.

 

[Weevil]

I love my factory vacuum booster , Was not so crazy about it when I first started to wheel
and it would die on some crazy incline ( 5 speed manual and no hand throttle ) They would work good once maybe twice .Then I got this really stupid idea of running 4 Webber carbs and got the intake bolted down and was like oh CRUD where am I going to plumb my vacuum line ,don't have money for Hydro Boost ( I'm Old and remember Old Hi Perf Cars in the early 60 s had vacuum pumps ) So Ebay once again I find for Cheap unlike Summit Or Jegs and no slam to those two companies I really like both ,Purchased a vacuum pump .Now The Only Draw Back Is You Have To Turn It On , Or Use A Relay To Turn It On With Your Ignition Switch .......The Killer Part IS I HAVE BRAKES WHEN THE MOTOR IS NOT RUNNING.........Just A Thought

 

[markperry]

Hydroboost is the way to, I got mine from a pick&pull along with a saginaw pump for 50,00 ....50.00 for PS hoses and it will stop on a DIME!