A recent injury made it necessary to put hand controls in my 35 Ford Pickup. It has 2x12 Buick brakes on all corners with buick drums and wide 5's. Driving this thing with hand controls isn't safe due mostly to the braking effort required. I'm currently looking at options to put power brakes and steering on this thing without ruining the traditional look of the truck. There isn't enough vacuumto even shift the tranny properly. Tried a canister with a checkvalve and got it shifting good enough to drive....that being said a vacuum power brake set up is out of the question. I think i can get a small power steering pump mounted low and out of sight and i can get a hydroboost set up mounted under the floor. This is an awesome choice 'cause it also gives me the option for power steering. The problem is nobody who sells hydroboost set ups for drum brakes due to the high pressure. I REALLY don't want to put discs on the front. Anybody have a hydroboost on drum brakes ?? any other ideas ?? Also was wondering if anybody has experience with the unisteer "hotrod" set up that replaces a vega box ?
I am running hydro boost disc/ drum brakes on my 63 galaxie. They would be very sensitive on a light wt all drum set up. But I think it would be doable. You might look at Summits catalog for these two part numbers, Heidts PS-101 adjustable power steering valve and SUM-G3905 brake proportioning valve. I think you can do it, but will take some tweaking. Happy trails
Put the unisteer on a panel truck. Never finished the truck but I could turn lock to lock setting still with little effort. If you don't have vaccumn for the brake why don't you tone the cam down some. Jus a thought.
There were some electric power brake units used GM cars in 80's. Some of my off-road friends liked them for no vac situations (engine stall on a hill). Ray
Thanks for the input.......Have been giving the electric power steering pump some consideration. Apparently the Toyota MR 2 pump is popular as well as some others. I imagine those pumps pull a few amps and I'm not sure the generator will get the job done ? (It was supposed to be hotrod.) Also found out the ECI is releasing a new product to increase breaking pressure 75% without the use of vacuum or a pump. If it works, that might be a safer option than hydroboost with the drum brakes. Not sure what the price tag is. Looks like my options are increasing........decisions, decisions. Still looking for someone with experience with hydro boost and drum brakes. I'm already a paraplegic, don't need any more mishaps.
Hydro boost and four wheel drums will be scary touchy.i would not do it ,but I'm sure any minute someone will chime in to tell me about his 1200 lb car that used it and he never had a problem...I have them on a ot pickup and it weighs alot more than your 35 and it can be touchy.just my 2 cents
The Jalopy Journal
