power brakes, over or under ???

[drivea55]

Ok,
I am wondering what is the best way to go for adding power brakes?

I see at ecklers you can get the kit for like 400 bux and still mounts underneath in the stock location. I see a lot of people take the time to upgrade them also to the engine compartment.

Is there a better way to go? or is it just preference?

thanks again

[entourageguy]

Maintainance it's easier on the firewall. For a cleaner looking firewall under the floor works.

[samdjr74]

I have mine mounted on the firewall for ease of access and the previuos owner had removed the dash board brace for a firewall mounted MC. But they took the MC and brace out before I got the truck so for me the firewall mount was the most logical. I think you also need to buy extra parts for the frame mount like the pressure values.

[OrrieG]

I kept mine under and made my own brackets with $5 worth of plate. I did not like the square edges of the ones you can buy, I matched the radius of my booster. With booster and master cylinder I spent about $110 for my setup. I wanted to keep the firewall as clean as possible.

[Kim57]

I'm keeping mine under and moving it back so it sets behind the cab. I made my bed tilt so maintenance won't be a problem.
Kim

[poncho_villa]

I also kept mine under the floor, but a big drawback is that the elevation is almost the same as the wheel cylinders. So bleeding the brakes is a real pain in the butt. Moving it to under the bed like Kim did is awesome, but you should have a tilting bed for access. I guess it all depends on whether you want a clean firewall or not.

[hotrodsbyray]

I have read that on the firewall you can get a better ratio for pedal length to master cylinder rod length based on more room for longer pedal.
Don't remember how that works but an article in a very old street rodder mag had that listed. I'll see if I can dig up the article and see what the deal was

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by poncho_villa

I also kept mine under the floor, but a big drawback is that the elevation is almost the same as the wheel cylinders. So bleeding the brakes is a real pain in the butt.

Are you using check valves in the lines? Mine is 4wd so the MC sits much higher than the wheel cylinders, even higher that stock.

[poncho_villa]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Are you using check valves in the lines? Mine is 4wd so the MC sits much higher than the wheel cylinders, even higher that stock.

Now that was a good question. I couldn't remember as it'd been a couple of years since the install, so I crawled underneath to look. I have a big checkerplate aluminum skidplate to protect all that stuff but I could see the proportioning valve but no individual check valves. They might have been hiding.

[drivea55]

great input from all and pics!
I think I am going to keep it under, being a 3600 it sits high enough where I should not have any issues with bleeding etc.

thanks guys,
Brian

[Rude Dude]

Mine is on firewall I used one from 69-72 Truck only cause it was free, and I am to old to be crawling under truck. I used a small booster and corvette master clinder. Fits good after a new plate for firewall mount a some trimiing on top, cut it down on top for gauges. Plus brakelight switch is at pivot point not exposed to elements. Also help get rid of hand brake.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Rude Dude

I am to old to be crawling under truck. .

I'm getting there too, that's one reason I pulled the cab twice, easier to fab and hook up all that stuff. My goal is to not have to work on this again until I give it to one of the grandkids in 20 years when they take my keys away from me!