Makes a big difference huh? I did the swap on my Bronco as well other than the front calipers. Instead of buying the flaring tool I used a new piece of premade 3/16" line from the M/C to the PV and got a 3/16" to 1/4" adaptor to screw into the PV. Worked great and no flaring needed.
What $431.29 can do for your brakes....
I did the full brake upgrade yesterday and all I can say is wow. The difference is night and day! The Bronco stops like a modern, civilized car. Big props to the guys who figured this one out! Every 78-79 should seriously consider this mod! I can't get over hitting the brake pedal and having the truck stop....effortlessly.
For those who don't know, you can upgrade your system by using off the shelf ford parts. T-bird Calipers, F350 booster, F-350 master cylinder, and F350 rear wheel cylinders. Then you need some hoses and such to adapt everything. In my case, a 1978 bronco, I bought the following:
Oreilly Auto:
F350 Wheel Cylinders: One Brakebest each WC18984 and WC18985 for $9.99 ea.
1977 T-bird Calipers: One each A1 Cardone 18-4083 and 18-4084 for $12.49 ea.
F350 Booster with Master Cylinder: A1 Cardone 50-3311 for $99.99
Flare fitting, Tubing Cutter, and Brake Line: $9.99
Core Charges: $45.00
Tax: $16.46
Summit Racing:
Brake Line Fitting: AER-FBM2929, 1 package of two for $16.95
Brake Line Fitting: AER-FBM2936, 1 package of two for $12.69
Aluminum Crush Washers: AER-FBM, 1 package of five for $6.69
Brake hoses to caliper: EAR-63011714ERL, 2 total for $19.88 ea.
Stainless Steel Brake Hose Kit: EXP-7335, 1 package for both axles for $88.95
3/16" Flare Nut Assortment: SUM-220137 for $6.95
Double Flaring Tool: SUM-900310 for $31.95
Shipping: $10.95
Everything worked great....with the exception of the double flare tool. That thing was a POS, I had to do every flare twice just to get a good seal.
If you are considering this mod, do an internet search for it. There are numerous articles regarding this swap that are very good! However, make note of the above part numbers....the ones in the article have changed!
Edit 2013: Hydroboost works much better than all of the above. Do yourself a favor and look into it.
For those who don't know, you can upgrade your system by using off the shelf ford parts. T-bird Calipers, F350 booster, F-350 master cylinder, and F350 rear wheel cylinders. Then you need some hoses and such to adapt everything. In my case, a 1978 bronco, I bought the following:
Oreilly Auto:
F350 Wheel Cylinders: One Brakebest each WC18984 and WC18985 for $9.99 ea.
1977 T-bird Calipers: One each A1 Cardone 18-4083 and 18-4084 for $12.49 ea.
F350 Booster with Master Cylinder: A1 Cardone 50-3311 for $99.99
Flare fitting, Tubing Cutter, and Brake Line: $9.99
Core Charges: $45.00
Tax: $16.46
Summit Racing:
Brake Line Fitting: AER-FBM2929, 1 package of two for $16.95
Brake Line Fitting: AER-FBM2936, 1 package of two for $12.69
Aluminum Crush Washers: AER-FBM, 1 package of five for $6.69
Brake hoses to caliper: EAR-63011714ERL, 2 total for $19.88 ea.
Stainless Steel Brake Hose Kit: EXP-7335, 1 package for both axles for $88.95
3/16" Flare Nut Assortment: SUM-220137 for $6.95
Double Flaring Tool: SUM-900310 for $31.95
Shipping: $10.95
Everything worked great....with the exception of the double flare tool. That thing was a POS, I had to do every flare twice just to get a good seal.
If you are considering this mod, do an internet search for it. There are numerous articles regarding this swap that are very good! However, make note of the above part numbers....the ones in the article have changed!
Edit 2013: Hydroboost works much better than all of the above. Do yourself a favor and look into it.
1 - 20 of 115 Posts
This link is one of the best how-tos to do this swap. I've been wanting to do this upgrade for awhile. Thanks for the updated part numbers and prices.
and I had no idea those calipers were only 12 bucks. That's cheap!
and I had no idea those calipers were only 12 bucks. That's cheap!
I just did the booster/master swap so far and I love the stopping power now. But here in canada I had to pay $253.87 just for the booster/master combo.But well worth it.
I've got the front axle already done and when I get to puttin the truck back together the rear will be done also, as well as the master cylinder/booster. Thanks for the updates on part #'s!
i've been thinking about doing this thanks for the updated part #'s
I just recently redid all my brake shoes/pads,calipers,wheel cylinders,brake lines and master cylinder. I was hoping this would improve my braking...it didn't. I run 33" tires which really limits the stock braking and when I pull my 3500lb trailer I really have to watch my braking distances,even with trailer brakes. This sounds like a great way to improve my braking. How much of a difference did it make with just the booster/master cylinder upgrade? Do you think this would help my braking issues?
I'm not sure how much of a gain you get from just the cylinder & booster. I did my front axle and cylinder and booster and it made a big difference. I have been holding off on doing my rear because I might go with disc, but 350 wheel cylinders are pretty cheap, and I only run 33 or 35's depending on what I'm doing. I would say it is a 40% improvement over what I had. It is one of the upgrades I would recomend to anyone.
You would notice a huge difference with just the booster/master combo.When i lock it up now the bronco stops on a dime. I have 33" tires but am going to 38" so im hopeing the the new brakes work as well with the bigger tires. I actualy feel safe when breaking now. Best money spent so far.
Want to really upgrade, try a 93ish F350 booster. Have to make custom brackets and grind the booster rod a bit, but it's worth it being the dia of the original booster, but dual diaphram (basically doubling the force put to the brakes)..............
got pics explaining what you did? I want to improve my brakes some time down the road, prob not till the summer but it will be here faster then I think.Want to really upgrade, try a 93ish F350 booster. Have to make custom brackets and grind the booster rod a bit, but it's worth it being the dia of the original booster, but dual diaphram (basically doubling the force put to the brakes)..............
No, I lost all my old pics when superford crashed. I used 2X2 square tube, cut off one edge (making the end look like a U") and drilled new holes on both sides. One side bolts to the firewall with original holes and one side bolts to the booster. The brackets are needed to relocate the 93 F350 booster rod to the center and to space it out (or the booster rod is too long and needs to be shortened). The end of the booster rod also needs a bit of grinding, as it does not have a flat surface like the original booster. The whole thing was not that hard, but I don't think it would fit with either a 460 or M-block that has tall valve covers (and no body lift).got pics explaining what you did? I want to improve my brakes some time down the road, prob not till the summer but it will be here faster then I think.
Also, you end up using an 86 mustang SVO MC. Same bolt pattern as the stock booster, but larger dia @ 1-1/8. (stock is 1" and 78/79 F350 is 1-1/16). The stang MC also uses the same fittings, unlike the 78/79 F350 2WD (or 4WD) which needs one of them changed. If your not going rear disk, I would use a 78/79 F250 4WD MC for now, which bolts to a stock or this booster and is 1-1/16 dia.
National Parts Depot (NPD) lists the booster and MC for the 78 F-350 at $129.95 + $60.00 core. You might check them out.I just did the booster/master swap so far and I love the stopping power now. But here in canada I had to pay $253.87 just for the booster/master combo.But well worth it.
Thats the "Double Agent" brake upgrade.It does make a difference.Its most noticeable at lower speeds (you can slide right out of the seat if you arent careful).Anything done to assist these poor oem brakes is a major improvement.
I would make a list somewhere and keep it in the truck.
If you blow a caliper or wheel cylinder on the road and ask for stock Bronco/F150 parts you are going to have a serious mismatch.
I would make a list somewhere and keep it in the truck.
If you blow a caliper or wheel cylinder on the road and ask for stock Bronco/F150 parts you are going to have a serious mismatch.
Good Idea!I would make a list somewhere and keep it in the truck.
If you blow a caliper or wheel cylinder on the road and ask for stock Bronco/F150 parts you are going to have a serious mismatch.
As an update and a word of caution to other bronco guys....I am only four days into this brake upgrade and I've already warped the crap out of my front rotors!
No reason for that, unless your calipers are dragging and/or someone put some real cheap china rotors on it.Good Idea!
As an update and a word of caution to other bronco guys....I am only four days into this brake upgrade and I've already warped the crap out of my front rotors!
The push rod coming out of your booster "may" be too long and need to be adjusted back. If it is to long it will hold the pads against the rotor while going dorwn the road - not under preasure, but just enought to heat everything up enough to warp.
Ditto on the above. Somewhere you have a problem with the front hanging up or dragging.Good Idea!
As an update and a word of caution to other bronco guys....I am only four days into this brake upgrade and I've already warped the crap out of my front rotors!
The china rotors are possible....I have no idea what was on the truck but I doubt they are original. It could also be the series of 60 to zero panic stops I had to make during rush hour.Ditto on the above. Somewhere you have a problem with the front hanging up or dragging.
Dude, where the hell in Bedford do you live anyway???
I've never seen another 78-79 in the MidCities except for mine...
I've never seen another 78-79 in the MidCities except for mine...
1 - 20 of 115 Posts
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