The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Firewall mounted power booster

I am trying to save some money on the brakes and wonder if anyone in here might have a suggestion on a power brake booster I could use on the '58 3100. After Sid sends my the axle I am installing the disc brake set-up so I am wondering what will work in these taskforce trucks that I can readily find pretty cheap. Thanks, Steve

What do you consider cheap? I assume you also want "safe"?

Safety is over rated...LOL May end up with a booster in the stock position but for sure will have to shorten the peddle rod cause it is way too long for my liking. Not wuite sure what to do just yet but looking for some ideas for under the hood vs. under the cab.
Thanks, Steve

cpp sells a pedal assembly to move the booster to the firewall. I bought one for my 52, just waiting to receive it. I just bought the pedal assembly and went to the local auto yard and got a booster/master cylinder and combination valve for about $20-$25. Got a practically new booster off of a 2000 or so chevy 1500. Got the master cylinder and combination valve off of a 80's chevy pickup.

runs $150
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/1947_59_Trucks/4753FBBD.htm

the 47-53 model is suppose to be the same as the 55-59 model, the link on their website currently does not work.

Hey Chris,
Does the booster/mastercylinder have to be off a standard cab or could it be from an extended cab 2wd?

Thanks, Steve

I don't think it would matter much, probably the same booster. I think as long as the bolt spacing of the mounting studs on the back of the booster is 4" any booster will work. The master cylinder just needs to be for your brake setup (drum/drum; disc/drum; disc/disc)

thanks a bunch...kinda what I was thinking but wanted to be sure.
I am going to go buy the booster off the 2000 chevy truck and hunt down a master cylinder....a pre-antilock type.

Thanks, steve

bigdog,
Just a bit of advise, make a reinforcement plate for inside the cab behind where you mount your Booster, the firewall tin is not heavy enough to handle the flexing and pressure you will be putting on it.
I made mine out of a pc. of 1/8 steel.
stiffened it up nicely.
Tim

Thanks for the advise Tim...There was one mounted in my 1955 years ago and don't remember any issues but better to be safe than stupid. Plus, it's NO fun climbing under there upside down!!

Steve

bigdog,
My 52 had stress cracks really bad around the booster mount holes.
My Uncle the PO ran it for a lotta yrs... and the stress worked on the fire wall, so that is why I made up a nice backing plate to distribute the pressure and firm things up.
Since ya doin the project now ...it is just cheap insurance for yrs. down the road an some one pulls out in front of ya and ya gotta STAND ON THE BRAKES you will have a nice FIRM mount.
Tim

sounds like really good idea Tim. I will surely make a plate when I get ready to climb under the dash and camp out.

Steve