Hydroboost in the snow/slick

[Billygoat]

I was starting to wonder how well HB would do on slick roads, since it boost breaking power I was thinking it would make lockup more of a problem. Well since we have a bilzzard and about 14in of snow I can say it was put to the test (yes I will get some pics after work)

I am happy to report that the HB is BETTER than stock brakes, they seem to be easier to finess so lock up is less of a problem.
Ok this is the observation of 1 guy and 1 truck, but maybe some others will comment as well.

[Elliott]

I didn't notice a difference at all in my F350 dually but depending on which MC you are using your experience might vary. A smaller piston in the MC will give you less pedal pressure so depending on how you are used to braking that might make a difference... probably makes a difference in how used to driving with hydroboost you are also. Astro van MCs use (typically) 1 1/8" bore while the late model F350 use 1 3/8 to 1 1/2 but they are also pushing more fluid into larger/dual piston calipers. There's a lot of variables I think. I believe that if you have a larger bore MC that your pedal also starts to engage the brakes sooner for a higher pedal feel and that might not be what you want for driving in slick conditions unless you are real used to it. Because I also have antilock in the dually I'm sure that makes a difference also and I don't know anyone with a FSJ that has antilock to compare with. Good question...

[addicted]

Good to hear they work well without ABS. I used to be a Chevy tech and have never driven a hydroboost equipped vehicle without ABS, so I know what it is like with ABS and it works quite well. Never thought about how it would work without and glad to hear it is good. Now I will know when I finally get my hydro'd Waggy back on the road.

[Billygoat]

Just another observation, at -5 F, HB is another good reason to warm you rig up before driving, the boost with cold ps fluid is really not, I could tell the accumulator discharged when I backed it out of the shed - I don't like to let it warm up inside even an unoccupied building.

[Greenfish]

Good to hear they work well without ABS. I used to be a Chevy tech and have never driven a hydroboost equipped vehicle without ABS, so I know what it is like with ABS and it works quite well. Never thought about how it would work without and glad to hear it is good. Now I will know when I finally get my hydro'd Waggy back on the road.

A lot of guys are using HB on old hotrods now also. These obviously dont have ABS either. Everyone seems to love how it works, and for the price of the conversion I dont think you can beat it.

[Elliott]

Yep, I've worked up mounts for some of these guys and I'm working one out now for a under the floor system in a Studebaker truck. I've been working with a guy on a under floor system on his '37 Plymouth Tudor also... he has a custom frame and it's been tricky fitting, need to check back with him. It's fun working different projects and I'd love to do an under floor system for a Willys if anyone wants to challenge me (I have a bunch of pics but don't have it all mapped yet). :thumbsup: