The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Brakes - 1961 Apache 10-Think I need a Booster ?

Just got the truck and the mechanic says this is how they are,foot through the floor ! Thinks a booster would really help ? What's the opinion out there of this option? The entire brake system is in perfect order and just bled . My '58 is much better ?

Go with what makes you comfortable stopping it. If it's scary getting it stopped you will never enjoy driving it. I'm not sure a booster is the answer though, It has stopped with what it came with for nearly 50 years with no problem (assuming it's not all wrecked).

Good point,maybe I just need to get used to it ? Thanks for the advice FGT.

"Foot through the floor? Do you have a good high pedal? If not they still have air in them or are not adjusted good. If the pedal is good the stopping power may increase as they are broken in. Some of the linings we get now are really hard since they are taking out the asbestos.

I'll check the pedal height tomorrow,thanks.

I had a very low mileage 1 ton 1961 grain truck. It had a booster on it and the stopping power was amazing. My 61 K-10's brakes are all new, bled, well broken in, and they suck in contrast. It is about the heaviest version of a 1/2 ton pickup available, so a booster will be added. LMC carries 3 versions for our trucks for pretty reasonable money.

A couple of thoughts come to mind - if your 58 is much better, something may still not be right with your 61, since they are fundamentally the same. First thing I'd check is to make sure the wheel cylinders are the correct size front and rear. I don't remember the specifics, but I believe either the front or rear are larger than the other. If they aren't correct that could cause a problem. Also, it might pay to check the shoes to make sure the primary and secondary shoes are installed in the correct orientation. The primary (short lining) goes forward. You might also check the drums for blue spots. If the brakes have been overheated, they develop blue spots which indicates the drums have hard spots and don't grip as well as a smooth freshly turned drum. Also check all three flex hoses. They tend to deteriorate from the inside out, so if there is checking on the outside, they are probably shot and swelling when pressure is applied, which in turn reduces braking effectiveness.

If all that is tip top, a booster will definitely reduce pedal pressure. I ran the stock manual brakes in my 1960 for several years, then swapped in a 75 front suspension with disc brakes. I also ran the disc brakes with a manual master cylinder for a year or so, but it got to the point where a couple of urgent stops turned my chronic back pain into severe back pain. If I hadn't added a booster I wouldn't be driving it any longer.

I just give mine extra room to stop...that is untill I switch it over to calipers on the front, just safer I think, I drive conciously but it seems alot do not around here.

I put a booster kit on my '62 Suburban, and I'm darn glad I did. It's just less effort, and more importantly, I don't have to wear out my leg to hold the truck at a stop light.

It's really funny--my truck has power drum brakes, a rebuilt trans with rebuilt Hurst shifter, no power steering and a 290hp crate engine. My wife's '61 Corvair has manual brakes, effortless manual steering (even with a small dia. steering wheel), a shifter that desperately needs to be rebuilt, and not a lot of get-up and go.

When I go from her car to my truck, I can't hardly turn the steering wheel, I give myself whiplash when I hit the gas, I slam the shifter when it moves like butter, and I practically throw myself through the windshield with the power brakes!

Get the booster... it's worth the money. Doubly-so since it comes with a dual reservoir master cylinder. I just blew a new rear wheel cylinder in the Suburban. It wouldn't have stopped with a single reservoir.

-Brad

Forgot to mention my 58 has a Tahoe ('99)rear end it has huge rear drums ! So not a fair comparison.

The brake lines were all cracked as reported when I had the truck inspected before purchase. It's at the shop now so we'll see if the new lines,fluid and bleeding will be an improvement? I'll report back when I pick it up.Good point about the swelling of the lines. Thanks

Mine has all original equipment for brakes, no booster, druma all around. Although compared to my Corolla it`s pretty crappy, it'll still stop well, just have to throw my weight into it (not alot at 140!) I have had all four wheels locked up on the highway once because of some idiot who decided he didnt like the offramp and wanted back on the highway. And no, my pedal comes nowhere near the floor.

Back from the shop and the brakes feel a little better. I am going to adjust, I think ,to the fact that this is as good as they get ? They work, it's just hard to believe they don't work better ? Sounds like from all the responses it's all normal 50 year old engineering ? Thanks

my 60 stepside apache is going to get a drop spindle front with discs and a booster as I will be trying to stop a 327 vette motor, m20 tranny, with a 69 chevelle rearend.makes for a heck uv a ride........yahooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hold on tight!