SteveL,
I’m really sorry to hear about your negative experience with VanCo. I had a different experience. I bought my kit from them in 2004. Van and Eddie, brothers, were working out of a rented house in “I think” the City of Industry. Before I knew much about hydroboosters they educated me and numerous times talking to me before I bought it. After I had problems installing it and fluid sprayed everywhere, they talked me through the problems and I got it fixed.
BUT rebuilding these for 4x4 types was a passion that didn’t pay the bills. Lack of cash flow forced them to move to Lancaster. Rent still wasn’t cheap enough to keep bills paid. After, “I think” Van got a better paying job, Lancaster closest and Eddie moved VanCo to his home garage in Downy. He had an impressive machine shop and more hydrobooster parts than I could count all organized, nice and tidy in drawers.
Last year I notice my accumulator was wiggly when I was cleaning the engine bay. I called Eddie, he joked about, “it’s hard to get it off but if you can get if off, just bring that accumulator on down and I’ll trade you for a freshly rebuilt one.” Free of charge. Eddie was a funny old fart who wouldn’t mind being called a funny old fart.
On leap year day I took the Bronco to two car shows and while doing 90 mph up the 2 freeway with an old 60s Cobra playing with me I noticed my brake pedal got... mushy. Like stepping in a large warm dog turd. I called asking for Eddie when I learned he had passed away in November 2019. His family member who knows their stuff answered and was clearly still grieving offered to rebuild my hydrobooster in a week or two.
Anyway, rebuilding it myself sounds like fun and I could use that spendy mula somewhere else on my 66.
Garberz, aka Mark, thanks for the info and the linky. I intend to get this rebuilt asap as my loyal FJ Cruiser daily driver got rear by a flip’n Prius last week and will be in the shopski for two weeks.
That’s all, carry on..
