Hydroboost

[1-PU70]

Are there any posts of a hydroboost conversion using junk yard parts like doner vehicles and install mods. I did a search and searched the google and came up blank. I think it would be a good up grade for my towing.

[eric67m]

I would be interested in this info also. I posted a "who is running hydroboost" on the 4x4 page. I think It sounds like a good upgrade and will be saving my pennies and dimes to do it some day.

[greens69]

I just put a hydroboost system on my 59 Wagon and I used a hydroboost from the auto parts from a 95 Astro Van, and I found the rest of the parts needed from TallonHydraulics.com for the hose kit,spring,rod and retainer and all the fittings. The outcome was great and I am really happy I went this route.

[100%Chevy]

I have hydroboost on my 87,G-30 motorhome and my 95,K-3500.
Also just pulled a unit from a 89 motorhome.
Why do people want to use this brake system on their vehicles?
Surely it's only better on heavier vehicles.But why use it on light duty stuff?
Mike.

[greens69]

The reason I went with it on my wagon was the for the space, it had 7" booster and the brakes were terrible.... and I couldn't go bigger with the big block for clearance issues, so went this way and I couldn't be happier.

[dwcsr]

This will get you some basics
http://www.thehollisterroadcompany.com/hydroboost.html
search this site for one done on a early 70's truck

[mosesburb]

I did one on my '72 Suburban. The nuts and bolts of the swap are fairly easy/straightforward, but the hoses can be a hoot. I like the mounting plate from the 88-99 C/K trucks because it is very easy to adapt and very clean looking when finished.

If you are super bored there is a link in my sig to the whole thread, but if you would rather spend your time more productively, this is a link to the post in the thread regarding the hydroboost unit.

[eric67m]

4x4 guys use them because larger tires with stock brakes are not as powerful as necessary.

What years used them. I know diesels did, but it seems like they were used from the 70's-2000's. I know mainly the heavier duty rigs but it also sounds like some 1/2 tons and vans used it.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Practically every Chev/GMC 1 ton truck from 74 up had it.

[powerdriver 1958]

Originally Posted by 100%Chevy

Surely it's only better on heavier vehicles.But why use it on light duty stuff?

Also helps if you are running BIG camshafts,No low vacuum problems.Early diesel pickups that the company I work for had hydro boost (1/2 tons)

[jeffspower]

From the research I have done it looks like '79 is the last year to use lines with inverted flare connections, like our old trucks. '80 and newer use metric connections with o- rings. So it looks like if you don't want to end up fabbing hybrid lines, stay with the '79 and older. Looking thru O'Reillys listings, they give the measurements on the lines. I wondered what was available to make work, so I looked up a '78 C30 with a 454, a '78 C30 with a 350, and a '78 C10 with the Olds 5.7 Diesel. All 3 are different lengths, and are available cheap.

So my thinking is once you figure out the mounting, measure up for lines & pick what fits. Or, like some stores are good about... just order them all, use what fits best then return the rest.

And if you aren't crazy about the fab work, just get out your wallet:

http://www.performanceonline.com/sto...cat=342&page=1

[BigChevy80]

Any GM vehicle from the 70's and 80's with a diesel had hydroboost. Also some of the bigger GM station wagons used them. Once you drive a vehicle with hydroboost, you will know why people like them...

[jeffspower]

Here's the 3 different "pump to Hydroboost" hoses I came up with just on the '78 "C" series. I'm sure if we looked at the G30 van, P30, diesel cars, etc. we would find more.

[jeffspower]

And the "Hydroboost to steering gear" that fit all 3 applications

[jeffspower]

While I'm at it, might as well keep going

'79 Olds 98 diesel. No measurement available on the pump hose.

[jeffspower]

'79 P30 with a 350 gas. Pump, then gear:

[jeffspower]

That pretty much finishes out the list (from most popular on down) of what I feel might fit good, is available now and 10 years from now when you need a replacement. It wouldn't be fun to blow a hose in the middle of nowhere and then find out what you used is obsolete. While lines can be made, you can't just get them everywhere.

[BigChevy80]

Alot of machine shops and old style service stations can custom make hydraulic hoses. If you can find one that has the right fittings, you can get them custom made. I had some power steering lines made this way a few years ago.

[wildwilly4x4]

On my 72 I mounted a hydroboost since I am running a 6.5 diesel. Line the 80's bracket up with the middle two holes in the bracket to the two studs right next to the hole in your firewall. Mark the top mounting studs location on the bracket and drill the new top new stud holes in the bracket (7/17 IIRC). Then you will need to trim the top and bottom of the bracket to make it fit correctly. You may have to lengthen the brake pedal pushrod as well, I had to anyways. This is a very easy mod, but as previosly stated you will either need hose adapters, custom hoses, or do as I did and use the stock hoses. You can change the power steering pump's discharge fitting to the later O-ring style, and then use a late 70's-80's steering box. Somtimes that route may be cheaper if you have some decent wrecking yards or buddys around. Good luck!

[bugmasta]

Subscribed.
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[Rusty69]

Which hydroboost unit is easiest to mount to a 69 firewall? I'm trying to go all metric fittings. I've seen some guys say a 95 Astros and others say a 99 c3500. Just curious which stock mounting bracket takes the least massaging to make fit. My buddy works at the industrial John Deere shop, so luckily hoses are the least of my worries. Any info would be great.
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[Murphy IRE]

I put in a Hydro boost from ABS in Orange Cal. It was one of the easier thingsI've done. Two small modifications on the return line and that was it.
The thread was "Wow after everything, I finally have brakes. i couldn't find one used and in the mountains, i went with new.

[67_C-30]

I put Hydroboost on my '67 C-30 diesel dually. I had too notch the mounting plate and extend the rod, but it was very straight forward. I used the steering box out the truck that hydroboost unit came from, so I had line fitment issues. Here's the few pics I have of it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...254096&page=12

[allons]

I'm planning on using the hydroboost system on the build of my '72 C10. Also, I'm planning on running the HB for the brakes AND the power steering. The difference is the plan is to run a Mercedes Benz electric hydraulic pump to feed both the brakes and the steering thereby freeing up some HP that would have been used to drive the hydraulic pump. At least that's the plan!

Sign me up for this thread!

[HarleyT]

I'm in the process of doing this right now,ill get a list of parts I used and post them next week . I am currently waiting on the hydro boost fittings to convert to -6 lines
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