Do I really need power brakes?

['70_402]

1968 c10 soon to have an LS swap... Do I really really need power brakes?? if I stick with what I have and make sure they are all working right and are adjusted correctly will I be fine?? I'm not going to road course race this thing... it's gonna be a cruiser/daily driver.

Same thing goes for power steering... don't have it either.

[Steeveedee]

If you can steer it and stop it, you don't need power steering or power brakes. Is it 4 wheel drum? You would see an improvement in braking performance if you went to front disc brakes. Those can be manual, as well, with the same sort of effort as is required for manual drum brakes.

[67 chevelle]

Nope , if it stops good as is, go with it , latter on if you want to stop quicker, power disc's atleast up front will do that for you

[Bigdav160]

Power brakes were practically unheard of with drum systems.

Disc brakes changed that because they require more pressure. So power assist became standard.

I know some with say disc brakes are fine without power assist. I have one old Corvette with manual disc brakes and another with power disc brake and while they both stop, the power assist car is more enjoyable.

[jessemthompson]

It will have a lot more go with the LS in it, power brakes would be a definite plus for some whoah.

[weq92f]

Like you said, if you keep it adjusted, it'll be fine! You know what your truck will do and you can keep it under it's limits and be safe.

That aside, I've driven both manual disk and manual drum trucks. Either are fine for a light application.

-klb

[Boog]

I say why would you not want power assist steering or brakes? It costs no horse power for the pb and the power steering takes minimal hp to operate and both just make the truck more enjoyable to drive. With the increased hp of the new heart beat better steering and brakes would be just the ticket.

[RGT]

I have owned several of these trucks and never missed power brakes or power steering when I did not have them. I towed a car and trailer trailer often a 71 C10 6 cylinder non power brakes and it was fine. I have thought about taking the power steering off my truck and getting a manual box as it seems like a waste and I prefer the way a manual box truck feels on the highway...

[franken]

Its an old toy truck. You don't need anything. It doesn't need to run, stop, steer, or even exist.
You have to decide what you want.
Years ago I had a 69 Chevy C20 as my only vehicle. Manual steering. manual drum brakes. You learn to drive within the limitations of the vehicle.

Today we maybe tend to over drive the old stuff since we're so used the newer vehicles...

[Robznob11]

Originally Posted by RGT

I have owned several of these trucks and never missed power brakes or power steering when I did not have them. I towed a car and trailer trailer often a 71 C10 6 cylinder non power brakes and it was fine. I have thought about taking the power steering off my truck and getting a manual box as it seems like a waste and I prefer the way a manual box truck feels on the highway...

Powersteering is definitely a +....i just converted. But i actually also just went from power brakes back to manual for clearance issues....but it is a wilwood pedal and master that match😆

[weq92f]

Originally Posted by RGT

...I prefer the way a manual box truck feels on the highway...

This is so true. The manual box has a driving 'feel' that you don't get with PS. Drove a 68 for many years with manual drums and manual steering. The steering is easy really, especially once your moving! Even with 275 tires!

I used to slide around a lot back then in the truck, usually on wet or otherwise slippery roads ( dirt, gravel, open field, snow ). It's called drifting now LOL. I was drifting before drifting was cool! It all started on a go-cart when I was about 8 ( 1977 ), which incidentally had manual steering too.

My friends were amazed at how quick and easy I could keep up with the drifting given my truck had manual steering and such a small wheel ( really small steering wheel, 3 spoke 14" or so ). What they didn't get, and many others as well, is that when over steer needs correction, the effort to do that on the wheel is minimal. More true on unassisted steering systems IMO.

-klb

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by franken

Manual steering. manual drum brakes. You learn to drive within the limitations of the vehicle.

Very true. Every time I jump into one of the old trucks, it puts me in a good mood and slows me down. I just never over drive them.

['70_402]

Yea, I think I'm gonna keep it simple and stick with the manual brakes and steering.. on my last truck, I had wide tires and a big block and my power steering pump went out... I drove it for quite a while with no power steering... it was fine.

[NGN]

I'll drive at any time of the day and week so there could be some traffic , I stay my distance but I like my response time better with power disc brakes. With manual steering , better anytime while moving but ,, I like my power steering when parking ,k turning and things like that
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[weim55]

To run power steering with the ls will actually be an easier upgrade than to modify the assy. drive to work without the power steering pump. Just a thought......

Steve weim55 Colorado

[In The Ten Ring]

Just drive like you have some sense and you should be fine. Don't follow too closely, plan your stops, and whatever you do, put the phone down. If you need to talk constantly with someone, talk to yourself.

[GR8-68]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

If you need to talk constantly with someone, talk to yourself.

I do plenty of that

[Myoldtruck]

My 70 c10 had manual brakes and steering for awhile, no big deal. You just need to give yourself more time to make adjustments in steering and braking distance.

You also dont need cable tv or internet, but its nice to have it.

That being said, i did power brake booster on my drums brake system last year and it was a worth while upgrade. I just did the power steering conversion last week, also making my life easier parking. Just make sure the high pressure hose isnt touching the headers, because it will burn thru the hose, ask me how I know that one.

[Smittee]

I hope not! I say that because I just installed a Wilwood manual master cylinder. According to my "expert" when you have a vacuum assist power booster you rarely get the amount of vacuum out that is required for "power" brakes. I must add that I have also gone to 4 wheel disc brakes on the 68 C10. According to two different sources those new brakes and m/c will pretty much throw me through the windshield. Of course that won't happen because I will be belted in!
The way I figure it also is that IF I don't feel this brake setup is adequate the I will simply add a hydro boost to the m/c. I don't think I can fail with this backup plan AND the hydro boost REALLY won't rob any power from my ZZ4 engine.
All of that said, the last paragraph MAY BE the most important out of all this drivel!

[60apache]

Originally Posted by Smittee

I hope not! I say that because I just installed a Wilwood manual master cylinder. According to my "expert" when you have a vacuum assist power booster you rarely get the amount of vacuum out that is required for "power" brakes. I must add that I have also gone to 4 wheel disc brakes on the 68 C10. According to two different sources those new brakes and m/c will pretty much throw me through the windshield. Of course that won't happen because I will be belted in!
The way I figure it also is that IF I don't feel this brake setup is adequate the I will simply add a hydro boost to the m/c. I don't think I can fail with this backup plan AND the hydro boost REALLY won't rob any power from my ZZ4 engine.
All of that said, the last paragraph MAY BE the most important out of all this drivel!

so are you happy with it or did you add the power to the brakes?

[60apache]

Originally Posted by Robznob11

Powersteering is definitely a +....i just converted. But i actually also just went from power brakes back to manual for clearance issues....but it is a wilwood pedal and master that match😆

how do you like it? compared to power brakes?

[Robznob11]

Originally Posted by 60apache

how do you like it? compared to power brakes?

The power brakes did have that power booster feel. But this wilwood set up is fine. It is not a hard pedal like some factory setups. It has a nice feel. I actually just installed a 9" rear with rear disc too and I still like it with disc on 4 corners. Infact I usually drive bare footed. I don't like all the dirt on the new black carpet, so I kick the shoes off😆

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Robznob11

The power brakes did have that power booster feel. But this wilwood set up is fine. It is not a hard pedal like some factory setups. It has a nice feel. I actually just installed a 9" rear with rear disc too and I still like it with disc on 4 corners. Infact I usually drive bare footed. I don't like all the dirt on the new black carpet, so I kick the shoes off😆

Well, there we have it. Even 4 wheel disc brakes don't need a booster, which I have always maintained. Though if you have a size 12 5E foot like I do, that might explain a little. I'm personally considering getting rid of the power brakes on my truck, for the simple reason that it will still stop well with the right components, and having the engine stall, with not having vacuum (or hydraulic) assist, the braking would not be affected. Manual disc brakes have been around for a long time.

[special-K]

Power brakes don't give more braking power. They are the same brakes. It give the same braking power with less effort. They are a convenience item, not a performance item. 71/72 trucks could still be had with manual disc brakes. My neighbor built his '68 shortbed from the ground up and retained the manual disc set-up to stop his ZZ4 muscle. He had been building cars since most here were born, from muscle cars to street rods built with a little from this and a little from that and he didn't want or need the extra apparatis or added drag on the motor. All manual truck including 4spd.

I had a '69 Dodge W200 Power Wagon that was all manual with 37/15.50 tires. Never had an issue stopping it. Good thing it was equipped with Armstrong steering for parallel parking

[StingRay]

My 72 GMC came stock with manual disc. Power was not standard. I added power and it was a huge improvement. I've had GM cars with manual drum brakes and added power that also made a huge improvement. It's a worthwhile upgrade.

Try pulling a trailer with manual brakes. You'll have a brake booster on there the next day. That's how my 72 got it's upgrade.

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

Power brakes were practically unheard of with drum systems.

Disc brakes changed that because they require more pressure. So power assist became standard.

I know some with say disc brakes are fine without power assist. I have one old Corvette with manual disc brakes and another with power disc brake and while they both stop, the power assist car is more enjoyable.