Hydra boost brakes? Mid 80's Ranger or BII

[mustangoutcast]

I have a lifted on 35's V8 ranger, thinking of turbo later , so need to do something about brakes now. Psteering pump can pull double duty, Has anyone done this? Ideas, sources, resources, etc. Lining up my ducks so I can make a plan! Thanks ahead of time for the input!

 

[Blmpkn]

I like the sounds of this.

However...

I wouldn't want to get a lifted Ranger on 35s going fast enough to require those super duper brakes lol.

What's the rest of the info on your truck?

 

[mustangoutcast]

I just don't want to run a Vacuum pump! And they are adjustable! Don't depend on engine vacuum to work.
80 tops on highway! LOL!

 

[Shran]

Astro van hydroboost unit, plumb it into your power steering pump. That is probably your easy button. My buddy did it on his Early Bronco, there was obviously some plumbing and a couple other mods but it worked good. I think he used the Astro van master cylinder too.

 

[dvdswan]

IMO, for the amount of fabbing to install the hydraboost system in your truck if you are not towing a large load would be more work and headaches than just installing a larger master cylinder.

It would be a cool setup, just not worth it if you're not towing something significant.

 

[Blmpkn]

There may be oem upgrades you can do to your truck as well... larger discs, stronger calipers... what's the rest of your story with your truck? What year, what axles, other mods already done? Help US help YOU lol.

 

[Shran]

I am also not sure that they are really worthwhile UNLESS you have a diesel or a gas engine that doesn't make much vacuum. I believe that they put them on the Astro vans because of space concerns, not because they make the brakes work better. Coincidentally that is why my buddy put them on his EB... serious lack of space under the hood and the vacuum brake booster parts for those trucks are very expensive.

I put a LOT of miles on an Astro van that had hydroboost brakes and I really could not tell any difference in braking power vs any other vehicle. The engine still has to be running for the "power" brakes to work, otherwise you just have manual brakes with the engine off.

 

[Curious Hound]

There may be oem upgrades you can do to your truck as well... larger discs, stronger calipers... what's the rest of your story with your truck? What year, what axles, other mods already done? Help US help YOU lol.

The issue isn't more powerful brakes, so.much as the fact that when operating an engine with boost, such as turbo or supercharger, you lose the vacuum needed to operate normal power brakes. A new source of vacuum or boosted hydraulic pressure is needed to restore what we have come to expect as "normal power brake" functionality.

 

[Blmpkn]

The issue isn't more powerful brakes, so.much as the fact that when operating an engine with boost, such as turbo or supercharger, you lose the vacuum needed to operate normal power brakes. A new source of vacuum or boosted hydraulic pressure is needed to restore what we have come to expect as "normal power brake" functionality.

Right on I see now. Never heard of this being an issue with a na/t conversion before.