Does she hate the brakes on the FSJ ?

[Michael F]

I have to admit my wife still doesent like the brakes to well yet, she has hung herself with the seatbelt twice! http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

But she does want the brakes on our chevy to work just as well as the Jeep.

The secret? I installed the double diaphragm power brake booster meant for a J20, actually I could not find one from a J20 and pulled one from a 3/4 ton chevy van and reworked the brake pedal rod to the proper length. For the most part the FSJ's use a gm brake system and the booster body is the same as the J20's and bolts right up.

You need to have a good solid pedal now and just need more assist before you install the new booster, the brakes will engage at the same pedal position, you will just be able to push the pedal further easier.

You will need to get a booster to fit your master cylinder, if you have a cast iron master you will need a booster with the small hole the master fits into and if you have the aluminum master you will need the one with the larger hole (do not loose the pushrod that is behind the master, it can fall out and it is cut to length for that booster).

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81 Cherokee Laredo WT
55,000 orig. miles (not the engine I6 to V8 conv.)
360/727/208/3.31w/tracklock/31x10.5AT
4" BDS lift
79 Cherokee Chief WT (snow plow)
360/400/QTw/LR/3.54/31x10.5

[Ralph]

Great tip. There's also been a guy on eBay selling a bracket and instructions to install GM discs w/emergency brake on the rear. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=576687841

Here are photos: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=19998&a=11596487

Has anyone done this?

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[River Beast]

you are the 2nd person I have heard of doing the dual diaphram booster....hmmm... I have a very hard pedal since my 39's went on... I know... I should upgrade the brake system, but will the booster upgrade help this?

Brake systems are not my "seet spot" though I can do most anything with them...just not up to speed with the tech side.

Thanks for any info.

On my 78...will a booster from a 78 J20 work?


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Todd
"The NEW River Beast" (http://home.earthlink.net/~tjnkk)
http://home.earthlink.net/~riverbeast/rbthnl.jpg
14" of total Lift on 39.5" Swampers
44's locked with 4.89's
...and other stuff...
My Original FSJ site (http://www.geocities.com/spazz4life)
riverbeast@earthlink.net
"When approaching an intersection, remember...
the vehicle with the BIGGEST TIRES has the right of way..."

'93 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban...a.k.a. "FSJ Hauler"

[desert_freak]

How about those of us that only have power steering. To add the power brakes I'm assuming that I should be able to use a GM power brake booster as long as I buy the accompanying master cyl., right?

I will probably just keep my eyes open while in the salvage yards for some AMC vehicles with power brakes or should I look for the BIG vehicle brake systems?

Thanks,

Patrick


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[Ralph]

Freak, are you sure you don't have some kind of vacuum assist for your brakes? It would be an awful lot of work to press the pedal of a big Jeep enough to push hydraulic fluid without the brake booster.

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[YaZahX]

i think jeeps had power brakes from the 60's...or atleast some vacuum assist, my book shows for 65 power brakes

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John Z.
YaZahX@aol.com
"Yes that is a Real Jeep, yes the Jeep is older than me."
1982 Cherokee Larado
Edelbrock cam
Edelbrock intake manifold
Holley Projection
31” BFGoodrich

[Michael F]

Beast, If you have a hard pedal this should be the ticket. The 78 J20 should work for you, just compare your master and the master of the J20 for the same depth of fit, or if you do not have the J20 master check out how far the pin sticks on the new booster and compare it to your old one. We are going for about 1/16" of clearance between the master cylinder piston and the booster pin, so when you let off the pedal the brakes are released completely (pin not to long) or you don't have to much slack (pin not to short).

Also you could upgrade to carbon metalic front pads, I hear they work pretty good but may squeal and create a lot of dust, but they do not fade out. I looked into getting semi metalic for the rear shoes but can not find any and they don't make them in carbon metalic. I am going to rear discs if I can ever tie Scotty down so I can look at what he has come up with.

A word to all, old master cylinders can have a worn spot inside where the pistons have rode causing an edge that can break the seal on the piston if it is pushed over it. That is why it is a good idea to put a block under the pedal when you bleed the brakes or with the new booster you may want to install a new master because you will be able to push the pedal further.

desert, your best bet would be to find a donor truck and get every thing you will need to get the booster in yours, spacer, hose, check valve, fittings, ect.

[YaZahX]

River Beast
This just came to my mind how do you work on that truck? you use a ladder or somthing and also if you bring it to a service station how do they work on it?

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John Z.
YaZahX@aol.com
"Yes that is a Real Jeep, yes the Jeep is older than me."
1982 Cherokee Larado
Edelbrock cam
Edelbrock intake manifold
Holley Projection
31” BFGoodrich