Hy AlexB, we have many different opinions represented in all of our forums. Many Big Bolts provided years of service with their factory designed single circuit brake system with very few catastrophic failures, that being said, as engineering of braking systems improved the newer Big Bolts were equipped these engineering improvements. What we are discussing here is the marriage of newer braking system technology with original front axles and replacing single system master cylinders with dual circuit master cylinders with a different method of achieving boost for those master cylinders. I believe most of us who attend here are not certified mechanics or engineers and the marriage of the two different technologies must be done properly and with everyone's safety in mind. As far as I am aware our Big Bolts single system brakes are not ILLEGAL, and as I previously stated were used safely for years until technology in braking systems improved. If one chooses to "improve" his Big Bolts braking system with newer technology he should have the appropriate knowledge to accomplish the task, or take it to someone with that knowledge, an engineers certification of the modifications would also be a good idea. It sounds like one of our members has come up with a kit to convert our front drum brakes to disc brakes, he has done all the work for us if we choose to purchase his kit, if that is the case all we have to do is install the kit and a dual master cylinder system to make it work. If we choose to restore the original single system braking system we can be confident in its ability to safely stop the truck when loaded as designed. If one chooses to upgrade the braking system on his truck the work should be done by a certified mechanic or the finished project inspected and passed by an engineer.
