Converting to power brakes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

darcane · 07-22-2002, 02:03 AM

A friend of mine just bought a '78 GMC 1/2 ton SWB with manual discs and drums. I've driven it several times, and the brakes seem to be one of it's strong points, but my friend doesn't like how hard he has to push on the brakes to get them to work. He's used to new cars that stop on a dime with virtually no pressure applied. Anywho, I was wondering what all would I need to do to convert to power brakes? Is it as simlple as just adding a brake booster? When searching for a parts truck, are there any specific years I should be looking for? Or will all 73-87 trucks have pretty much the same brake booster?

Thanks,

**68SWB4x4** · 07-22-2002, 07:28 PM

hey havnt seen you on here in awhile! it seems alot of stuff changed in 81 so id try to stay with a booster setup from a 73-80

darcane · 07-22-2002, 10:45 PM

Yeah, it's been a while. I haven't gotten a damn thing done on my truck in quite a while. Every time I try to work on it, something comes up and I can't afford it. Right now, I'm rebuilding the suspension on my Nova and it's taking forever due to rust. Blech!

The '78 my friend bought is a interesting one... The body has very little rust on it and is mostly straight, but there was evidence of bondo, mostly on the hood. The engine has been rebuilt and the previous owner sank $3000+ into it. It has a decent set of fake centerlines (9.5" wide? 275/60/15 on all four corners). Unfortunately, the wiring is badly hacked, none of the stock gauges work, the interior needs major work. He started sanding some of the bad spots, starting on the hood once he got it. It didn't take too long to find out what the bondo was filling up: three large holes made by a pickaxe! It also has some wierd AC system on it... There's nothing that looks like a compressor. It has a canister attached to the inner fender, I figure that must be the compressor, and it's probably run off electricity.

So, do you have any vehicles that actually run yet?

**68SWB4x4** · 07-23-2002, 02:00 AM

LOL yes i do
the 70 runs........ the 68 starts but wont stay running, and the 56 is real close to running
hell i drive the 70 everyday

**crossy** · 07-24-2002, 12:08 AM

be careful about the pushrod that goes from the linkage into the back of the booster. .I know they are different between the two. (manual VS. power).DAVE

07-22-2002, 02:03 AM	#1
darcane Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 414	Converting to power brakes A friend of mine just bought a '78 GMC 1/2 ton SWB with manual discs and drums. I've driven it several times, and the brakes seem to be one of it's strong points, but my friend doesn't like how hard he has to push on the brakes to get them to work. He's used to new cars that stop on a dime with virtually no pressure applied. Anywho, I was wondering what all would I need to do to convert to power brakes? Is it as simlple as just adding a brake booster? When searching for a parts truck, are there any specific years I should be looking for? Or will all 73-87 trucks have pretty much the same brake booster? Thanks, __________________ *Mike Lackey* '68 C10

07-22-2002, 07:28 PM	#2
68SWB4x4 Strongman Garage Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 10,241	hey havnt seen you on here in awhile! it seems alot of stuff changed in 81 so id try to stay with a booster setup from a 73-80 __________________ Kalle 68 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4 SOLD 69 Pontiac Lemans 99 Silverado 4.8 5 speed ECSB [ Facebook Instagram Subscribe on YOUTUBE

07-22-2002, 10:45 PM	#3
darcane Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 414	Yeah, it's been a while. I haven't gotten a damn thing done on my truck in quite a while. Every time I try to work on it, something comes up and I can't afford it. Right now, I'm rebuilding the suspension on my Nova and it's taking forever due to rust. Blech! The '78 my friend bought is a interesting one... The body has very little rust on it and is mostly straight, but there was evidence of bondo, mostly on the hood. The engine has been rebuilt and the previous owner sank $3000+ into it. It has a decent set of fake centerlines (9.5" wide? 275/60/15 on all four corners). Unfortunately, the wiring is badly hacked, none of the stock gauges work, the interior needs major work. He started sanding some of the bad spots, starting on the hood once he got it. It didn't take too long to find out what the bondo was filling up: three large holes made by a pickaxe! It also has some wierd AC system on it... There's nothing that looks like a compressor. It has a canister attached to the inner fender, I figure that must be the compressor, and it's probably run off electricity. So, do you have any vehicles that actually run yet? __________________ *Mike Lackey* '68 C10

07-23-2002, 02:00 AM	#4
68SWB4x4 Strongman Garage Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 10,241	LOL yes i do the 70 runs........ the 68 starts but wont stay running, and the 56 is real close to running hell i drive the 70 everyday __________________ Kalle 68 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4 SOLD 69 Pontiac Lemans 99 Silverado 4.8 5 speed ECSB [ Facebook Instagram Subscribe on YOUTUBE

07-24-2002, 12:08 AM	#5
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	brakes be careful about the pushrod that goes from the linkage into the back of the booster. .I know they are different between the two. (manual VS. power).DAVE __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks.

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