hydro boost options

[unimogger]

After reading a dozen threads (or more) I've seen that people have had success using Hydroboost units from
superduty ford F250
chevy astrovan/ gmc safari
ford mustang
But, I haven't found any discussion on the ups or downs of any of these.. what would make one better suited, or is it just whats most easily found when you need it?
I've also seen some that appear mounted directly to the firewall, using a bracket that was harvested from the donor vehicle, or on the factory bronco power brake style bracket. I suppose its just a matter of making it work with whatever engine swap is happening. Pro's and cons of any of these?
Having had several dodge diesel trucks, I'm familiar with the plumbing, and even rebuilding one.
Thanks in advance for any insight.
SD

 

[SteveL]

I've got one mounted straight out the firewall in the stock mc location. If I were doing it again I would buy or make a plate to move it over a little toward the fender. Mine could use some clearance near the valve cover(351w). I got a kit from vanco. Whatever you do dont buy from them. Not sure if hes even in business anymore. The kit was missing key components and the guy would avoid and never return any calls. I ended up fabing the pieces that were missing to make it work. If you already have a single return Saginaw pump you can plumb it with a cooler or filter kit that has a 2into 1 input. I bout the filter set up from bc.

 

[sykanr0ng]

The ones I would tell anyone to avoid are those with an internal accumulator, those have a much smaller reserve capacity so if your power steering pump quits your braking gets bad sooner.

 

[SteveL]

I had a guy at napa tell me about a hydroboost with an electric backup.he said street sweepers and stuff have em. Also ups trucks. Works of ps pump like normal but electric safety kicks in if it loses pressure. Sounded really cool but they were about $850. A place by Fullerton airport deals em.

 

[gr8scott]

There's also the custom "in-line" bracket, which puts the hydroboost/MC assembly in-line with the driver's side wheel well.
It's made by catfan, a member here on CB. This one was designed for a early 90's Astro van hydroboost, so that's what I went with.
There's also one designed for a mustang hydroboost.

https://www.ebay.com/str/Early-Bronco-Parts-Store?_trksid=p2047675.l2568

 

[SteveL]

I like that br azad cket to move it over. Wonder if it will work with other than mustang booster

 

[unimogger]

There's also the custom "in-line" bracket, which puts the hydroboost/MC assembly in-line with the driver's side wheel well.
It's made by catfan, a member here on CB. This one was designed for a early 90's Astro van hydroboost, so that's what I went with.
There's also one designed for a mustang hydroboost.

https://www.ebay.com/str/Early-Bronco-Parts-Store?_trksid=p2047675.l2568

Would this bracket interfere with a hydraulic clutch master cylinder? It looks like it
I'm currently working with a NP435 and stock clutch linkage, but have plans for a future 5.0/ ZF5 swap, so a hydraulic clutch is necessary.

 

[onpier55]

This is what I used.

52-7333 Rem Hydroboost O’Reilly $157.99

Master cylinder
Astro Van pt# 10-2534 $54.99

 

[unimogger]

I recall reading that one of the styles has a mount that can be rotated to angle the booster away from the engine a few degrees. Was it a mustang? I can't find where I had read it and can't recall..
Looking to find the easiest fit.
SD

 

[sykanr0ng]

I recall reading that one of the styles has a mount that can be rotated to angle the booster away from the engine a few degrees. Was it a mustang? I can't find where I had read it and can't recall..
Looking to find the easiest fit.
SD

The Mustang hydroboost can be rotated, there may be others that can be also.
There is a small tab that needs to be removed in the base plate, it is only there to make mass production assembly faster.

 

[nvrstuk]

Not sure if all the spacing between the HB rod and mc are the same BUT if you go GM, all the GM hydroboost units "seem" to work with all the GM master cylinders... (least all the ones I've interchanged do).

I ran the AstroVan for a decade...excellent with T-bird frt and Exploder rear.

 

[unimogger]

Thanks for the info this far. I chose a 98 mustang hydroboost, as it seems like it will work without any additional offset brackets. Searched two local U-pull-it yards and there were none to be found. Ended up picking one up from Ebay, as it was pretty cheap and came with the hose ends at the hydroboost, so there will be no confusion about what threads they are when I'm getting new hoses made. Might use the Dodge master cylinder, but then I was wondering.. why not a 76-77 bronco master?

 

[JB Fab]

There's also the custom "in-line" bracket, which puts the hydroboost/MC assembly in-line with the driver's side wheel well.
It's made by catfan, a member here on CB. This one was designed for a early 90's Astro van hydroboost, so that's what I went with.
There's also one designed for a mustang hydroboost.

https://www.ebay.com/str/Early-Bronco-Parts-Store?_trksid=p2047675.l2568

I test-fit one and determined that is was way too long for my application.
So I ended up doing a bell-crank linkage behind the firewall.

 

[nvrstuk]

Everytime I see that powerplant...

 

[gr8scott]

I test-fit one and determined that is was way too long for my application.
So I ended up doing a bell-crank linkage behind the firewall.

Nice...you fab that up yourself?

 

[Monster Mike]

I test-fit one and determined that is was way too long for my application.
So I ended up doing a bell-crank linkage behind the firewall.

Ya that thing is red hot!

Can't wait to see it all dialed in and stretching its legs on the dunes

 

[unimogger]

A few pics of the mustang unit for reference.
The firewall side pushrod has a swivel to accommodate the angle. The pushrod on the master cylinder side can be removed if it needs to be shortened or lengthened.
I'm going to size it up with dodge and bronco master cylinders to see which is a better, easier fit.

 

[nvrstuk]

Good pics...those couple of degrees on the angled bracket can really help with valve cover clearance...

 

[mrdrnac]

Just an FYI in case it helps anyone, not trying to sell anything. I found a Vendor on Ebay (Sterlingworth16) that has some Jeep Hydroboost adapters that I am using on my Bronco.

I got my Hydroboost off of a Chev 2004 Tahoe and used the Ebay flat plate that has the early Astrovan bolt pattern, to replace the factory Tahoe plate. The vendor also makes spacers to space out the booster if needed.

 

[trailpsycho]

Just an FYI in case it helps anyone, not trying to sell anything. I found a Vendor on Ebay (Sterlingworth16) that has some Jeep Hydroboost adapters that I am using on my Bronco.

I got my Hydroboost off of a Chev 2004 Tahoe and used the Ebay flat plate that has the early Astrovan bolt pattern, to replace the factory Tahoe plate. The vendor also makes spacers to space out the booster if needed.

Did the Tahoe unit come with the threaded actuating rod? That looks like what I need to replace my F250 unit...