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Power brake conversion vac vs hydro

Power brake conversion vac vs hydro
M

moranda

Jeeper
Posts
139
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Location
Nashville, TN
Vehicle(s)
1985 Cj 7, 258, t5 tranny, dana 300, dana 30 front ox locker, amc 20 rear one piece axles ox locker, 4.56 gears,hydroboost brakes
My jeep has had a leaky master cylinder since I have had it. Every time I drive it the master cylinder body will have a coating of brake fluid on the outside of it. Well as of recent my power steering pump has sprung a pretty good leak in it too. The jeep does not have power brakes. I guess what I am trying to ask is should I go for a hydro boost setup or should I just get a typical vacuum style master cylinder/ diaphragm? I plan on sticking 35's on it eventually. Anyone one who has experience or advice with either please chime in. Trying to see the pros and cons of each to help me better decide.
 
IMO hydroboost would be a bit overkill with 35s on a CJ7 (can't believe I just said that). The nice thing about the factory power setup is its all been engineered and WILL work correctly. Your master cylinder having a coating of brake fluid all over it really just sounds like a loose bale clamp wich is the wire piece that holds the top on pop it off and bend a little more tension into it so it pushes down harder on the lid compressing the rubber diaphragm/seal a little more. Where is the power steering pump leaking from? Does it still work? Front o rings are about .65 cents rear preassure side washers the same. Return hose that's gotten hard and leaks 1.09 a foot. Hydroboost will use your existing pump,it will work, but it is work. I've got factory power brakes on the newest one now they seem too work fine. I will be going with 35s and leaving it alone.
 
From my experience, it takes more than just an oem CJ power brake system to stop a set of 35s safely. I once tried manual brakes with 33s and it was not enough brake either. I would have to recommend an aftermarket power brake booster setup, either that or drive really slow.
 
I'd say go HB. The conversion isn't that hard to do and I do it on every jeep I have, although I normally run 33 and below which is over kill as tinman pointed out.

If you decide to stuck with a vac booster, convert to a yj booster, preferably a dual diaphragm booster from a 95 model.
 
Probably is just a loose clamp like you said but I will need to upgrade the brakes before I slap 35's on there and I dont mind replacing the master cylinder since and the jeep reads 180k. The leak from power steering pump is coming from the pulley input shaft. That being said I think I might perfer overkill to being killed. I am not afraid to take apart a power steering pump but with that many miles on it and if it were to become an integral part of the braking system would it just be worth it to go new? Any thoughts?

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
 
moranda said:
Probably is just a loose clamp like you said but I will need to upgrade the brakes before I slap 35's on there and I dont mind replacing the master cylinder since and the jeep reads 180k. The leak from power steering pump is coming from the pulley input shaft. That being said I think I might perfer overkill to being killed. I am not afraid to take apart a power steering pump but with that many miles on it and if it were to become an integral part of the braking system would it just be worth it to go new? Any thoughts?

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

If you can rebuild it to the same quality as a new unit for less then rebuild it. If not buy a new pump
 
IMO if you know you are going 35's than Hydroboost is the way to go.
 
Old Dog said:
IMO if you know you are going 35's than Hydroboost is the way to go.
Click to expand...

X2. Like I said I personally run an hb on my cjs and I only have 31s. Can't have too much braking power imo.
 
I have a WJ booster and MC on my 6 and it stops on a dime with 4wheel discs. I did have to adjust the pedal ratio to suit but not hard. I can lock the 33" on mine no probes, can't believe 35"s would be any different. I did the whole conversion for less than $100.
 
Thanks for all the input guys. What kind of hydro boost setups are there? I know vanco overs a setup that is new but what other options do I have?

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