Hydroboost Conversion, how to with pics
Nov 12, 2012 | 07:24 PM
#81
I'm trying to get my hands on the parts to do my swap ASAP. For some reason I thought this swap was much more complicated but after reading it again it seems very straightforward.
My braking is downright aweful and frankly, unsafe when towing. The pedal is so damn spongy and the harder you push there's just no more braking power. So I'm very eager to get the hydroboost. From my reading, HB can create 2-3x more fluid pressure than a vacuum booster.
Thanks for the writeup Atomic.
My braking is downright aweful and frankly, unsafe when towing. The pedal is so damn spongy and the harder you push there's just no more braking power. So I'm very eager to get the hydroboost. From my reading, HB can create 2-3x more fluid pressure than a vacuum booster.
Thanks for the writeup Atomic.
Nov 12, 2012 | 09:59 PM
#83
Nov 13, 2012 | 10:40 AM
#84
I did the hydroboost swap on my 02 as well. seems like the rear disc trucks just have a soft pedal, probably something to do with how the rear brakes are proportioned.
Anyways I found the booster, all lines and ps pump on ebay, drilled one hole in the firewall to bolt it up, and modified my pedal instead of buying a new one.
I just pushed out the factory stud with a press, drilled a new hole up where the hb pedal should be, and welded in a gd 8 bolt to the new hole, then put on a locking nut to hold everything in place, works great if you have the time to make your own.
Anyways I found the booster, all lines and ps pump on ebay, drilled one hole in the firewall to bolt it up, and modified my pedal instead of buying a new one.
I just pushed out the factory stud with a press, drilled a new hole up where the hb pedal should be, and welded in a gd 8 bolt to the new hole, then put on a locking nut to hold everything in place, works great if you have the time to make your own.
Nov 13, 2012 | 06:00 PM
#86
Has anyone used an older GM hydroboost unit? I'm looking at one on ebay that's listed as fitting 1995-2002 vehicles and it appears to have a symmetric 4 bolt pattern for bolting to the firewall. Not that drilling the firewall is a big deal, but this would save a step.
Dec 1, 2012 | 06:47 PM
#90
Next up, I moved on to the installation of the hydroboost. I didn't take a ton of pictures. Atomic did an excellent write up on that swap already.
https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...w-pics-441147/
My brake booster looked different than the one in Atomic's swap thread. I don't know if it's a earlier version or what, but I decided to use the larger one.
One thing though, the brake lines are closer on my factory brake booster, so it's a bit of a challenge to get them to reach.
I noticed while swapping the brake pedals, that you could see what you're doing easier if you remove the fuse panel door.
In Atomic's write up, he has you remove the power steering pump. I figured if you're going to the trouble of pulling the power steering pump, why wouldn't you just go ahead and install the proper pump? I wanted to see if I could get the hose off of the pump with it removing it. I did. I removed the skid plate/air dam plate thing and then used this to loosen the hose. Once it's loose, you can unscrew it by hand. Power steering fluid will go everywhere.
I modified the firewall rather than press the bolt out. I ended up having to widened the holes up a tiny bit so it would sit flush against the firewall.
Here's where I tied back into return line from the power steering pump. I would have rather used the correct power steering pump, but this will function the same.
All said and done. Pretty much looks factory. Well, except for the fact thy everything's clean. LOL!!
