87 ranger 4cyl, non electronic & no power brakes.

[ran429]

I am wishing to instal a brake booster on the firewall of my new to me ranger.

My buddy & neighbor Greg passed last week from Cancer. He left me his little Ranger that i always asked about.
My concience wouldnt just let me drive away with it so i went to the bank and pulled what i had to play with. $200.00 was what i had.

I installed new calipers up front, but still i have to really stand on the brakes really hard to stop.
I would like to add a vac brake booster like my 1985 4X4 ranger has. Is it as simple as going to a wrecking yard or parts store and buying one and bolting it on?

I know i would have to add a vac line from the intake manifold somewhere to actuate the brakes properly, i was blessed with this little truck, newer engine and its in great shape. Sat for years undriven, he didnt like SLOW, i dont mind it, it rund better than my 85 4x4 right now lol!

I just want less effort to apply the brakes is all.

 

[ran429]

i love the fact that this little truck doesnt have electronic advance nor fuel injection. carbureted and oldschool. like i like it.
Just an all around clean little runabout, its like having a pinto with a truck body lol!

 

[Mark_88]

I'm pretty sure that the bolt pattern for the non booster and booster are the same, but you would also need the master to match the booster. If you can find both together then take the whole thing.

Aside from that, it sounds like you need to bleed the brakes again. The manual brakes do need a bit more pressure, but they should not be that hard to apply the brakes. If you don't get all the air out of the lines you will experience the kind of braking you are describing...other symptoms include a spongy pedal or the pedal goes near to or all the way to the floor.

Maybe some leg exercises are also in order...start benching your pet calf every day and by the time it is fully grown you won't need a booster~maybe new floor boards and firewall, but the brakes should be easy!

 

[ran429]

yeah, im feeling spongy brakes. I bled them good but apparently not good enough. they just dont feel solid or grab good enough.

Will be getting new pads this weekend and a large bottle of fluid and rebleed the whole truck, also adjust the rear shoes.

Heres the little truck i am posting about, cool little runner. slow but cool.

 

[Mark_88]

Very clean looking on the outside...had one like that originally but it became a game of hide and seek with the rust that I lost in the long run...

Check the firewall around the brake for rust as that was where mine finally got the better of me...actually pushed my clutch master right through one day...I guess I benched my cow a few too many times...but even that could have been repaired...

I think a good bleed will help...if you have one of those one-man bleeder kits they work really well...but also check for small...and I mean almost undetectable leaks that you wouldn't otherwise notice without really close inspection. If you've replaced any brake lines or fittings that would be the first place to look...but also check the rear cylinders.

Otherwise...have fun and enjoy...sorry to hear about your friend passing, but I'm sure he'd appreciate your taking good care of that little truck!