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Hydro boost remorse?

76BroncoPete

Contributor
Full Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2013
Messages
402
Thinking about going the hydro boost route. Anybody regret making the conversion? If so why? Also hydro boost praise testimonials welcome. Thanks,

Pete
 

hatleyjm

Jr. Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2011
Messages
107
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

Contributor
Red Head Grease Monkey
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
15,985
Loc.
Stockton, CA
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.
 

bmc69

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 11, 2004
Messages
11,914
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

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
5,189
Loc.
Hockessin, Delaware
Said no one ever :cool:. 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

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Feb 13, 2012
Messages
1,861
Loc.
Sussex County Delaware
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

Sr. Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2015
Messages
536
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.
 
OP
OP
76BroncoPete

76BroncoPete

Contributor
Full Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2013
Messages
402
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

Newbie
Joined
Jun 15, 2016
Messages
10
Loc.
Nothern Virginia
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?
 

Broncobowsher

Total hack
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
35,628
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

Sr. Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
839
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)
 

NickC24

Contributor
Jr. Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2017
Messages
171
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

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 13, 2007
Messages
1,790
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 ...
 
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OP
76BroncoPete

76BroncoPete

Contributor
Full Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2013
Messages
402
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

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Mar 2, 2019
Messages
2,608
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

Contributor
1977 Bronco
Joined
Jun 20, 2021
Messages
959
Loc.
Maple Valley
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
 
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