1969 Ranger - Project Glory Days!

[tylerb43]

Brake booster:

As I'm sure you guys remember, I put the front suspension of my '73 parts truck under this truck. So now it has disc in front, drums in rear. I originally thought I'd use the power booster off my white '69 parts truck, because it's smaller and would fit better. Then I realized I'm a moron, because that booster is for powered drums, and the '73 booster was for power disc/drum. (duh) So I pulled the booster assembly off the '73 and tore it down. I'll be getting a reman booster/master unit and be using this one as a core.

'69 drum/drum on the left, '73 disc/drum on right



Mounting linkage



Disassembled, blasted and powdercoated all the parts



Like new assembly, I did get it bolted on the firewall with stainless hardware.



And I coated a few other parts while I was at it.

[tylerb43]

I just installed my column the other day. I have the same boot on mine as in the picture and i just put the boot to the outside of the firewall pad. Luckily, the one that was on the column I bought was still in good shape so I'm not sure on any repro's?

Thanks, Cole! My original one is in "decent" shape, so I guess I'll try to clean it up and put it back on there. My green '69 Custom Cab (all original) doesn't have a boot at all, so apparently all the trim lines didn't get them (in '69 at least). I've been through all the catalogs and don't see a repro anywhere, oh well.

[Calfdemon]

I just pulled the steering column out of my 69 last week and have not taken it apart yet. I have it in my garage in "freshly pulled" condition and will take a photograph of it for you so you can see the placement as it was on mine (minus where the firewall pad fit in...). I will try to get that done this afternoon.

[snake]

Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure that disk vs drum brakes doesn't matter for the booster. The MC and prop valve are different for disk compared to drum but the only thing to check on the booster is how/where it connects to the pedal and the interface with the MC. Make sure the push rods are the correct length and location.

[Calfdemon]

Here are the photos of my steering column. Everything on the column goes on the cab side of the firewall. I believe the large boot (painted white on my column) went over the firewall pad. The other rubber and metal plate bolted to the firewall under the firewall pad.




Firewall pad went between here:


Rubber between metal plate and firewall:


Hope this helps...

[hazelnut]

Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure that disk vs drum brakes doesn't matter for the booster. The MC and prop valve are different for disk compared to drum but the only thing to check on the booster is how/where it connects to the pedal and the interface with the MC. Make sure the push rods are the correct length and location.

Your right, As long as the pushrod is correct length and same location it works fine.

[tylerb43]

Here are the photos of my steering column. Everything on the column goes on the cab side of the firewall. I believe the large boot (painted white on my column) went over the firewall pad. The other rubber and metal plate bolted to the firewall under the firewall pad.

Hope this helps...

That helps a lot bud, thank you very much!

Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure that disk vs drum brakes doesn't matter for the booster. The MC and prop valve are different for disk compared to drum but the only thing to check on the booster is how/where it connects to the pedal and the interface with the MC. Make sure the push rods are the correct length and location.

So you're saying I can use the booster, mounting brackets, and pushrod on the left ('69 pictured above), and attached the 73 master cylinder from the right, and have a more compact, but still very effective unit? That's sweet! And now that we're talking about it, I think I remember talking about all this with a friend awhile back. The booster is just a force multiplier, the master is what's different between the disc and drum. (Coming back to me now) That's what I get for taking so long on a project... I forget what I've learned!! That's what you guys are for, to knock me back into line, thanks!

Sure makes me wonder why the booster off the 73 is so stinking huge though, maybe it's a little more powerful, but not enough to matter in my application I guess.

[snake]

Well.... I can't say for sure one way or the other for those two specific versions since i haven't compared them myself.

Just make sure that the pushrod between the pedal and booster are the same length and connection position and then also check to make sure the length of the push rod from the booster to the MC are the same length.

It appears that the '73 has some type of lever incorporated into the booster mounting bracket??? maybe that was done to move the booster up higher and give more clearance since it is larger diameter??

[tylerb43]

Well.... I can't say for sure one way or the other for those two specific versions since i haven't compared them myself.

Just make sure that the pushrod between the pedal and booster are the same length and connection position and then also check to make sure the length of the push rod from the booster to the MC are the same length.

It appears that the '73 has some type of lever incorporated into the booster mounting bracket??? maybe that was done to move the booster up higher and give more clearance since it is larger diameter??

Okay, got it. And yes, the '73 setup has an offset lever, moving the centerline of the booster/mc up, about 2-2.5 inches. I'm guessing because it's so stinking huge. Thank you for the help, Sir!

[tylerb43]

I found some UPS goodness when I got home, yet another delivery from DC. For such a large invoice, I kind of expected a larger box! Oh well.



And here's the pic of the day.



My new tubing benders should show up today, and I can finish the A/C system install inside the cab.

The paint shop sent me this picture, the guys are moving on the bed!



Oh - and this was a Christmas present from the wife, it lights up and rotates slowly - pretty sweet! No, not truck related, but I thought I'd share it with you guys.

[jimmy828]

Man, i'm digging that blue paint. Looking at your project keeps me motivated to keep going on mine. Keep the pics coming.

[jimmy828]

Keep it here....I'm already lost in all your progress Make sure you use some NICE Hickory on that floor....don't settle for Oak

Thank you sir (tipped hat), And the bed floor wood is something I've been racking my brain about. (Suggestions welcome) I want something pretty light in color, because my interior is going to be lighter. I'm not a woodworking guy at all, so I've just been reading around trying to see what my choices might be. I do "have a guy" , a local trim and cabinet maker (he built all the cabinets for my house), I intend to tap his knowledge and advice, as well as have him plane and router the boards.

Stay tuned, bed progress soon...

Concerning the wood on bed floor, have you thought of Teak wood. It cost is a lot more than our domestic oaks, maples, birches, heart pine. But you want have to worry about rot, mildew and shrinkage. It is very poplar for marine use. I'm thinking about using wood on my bed floor and hope to find some Teak at a reasonable price.

[tylerb43]

Man, i'm digging that blue paint. Looking at your project keeps me motivated to keep going on mine. Keep the pics coming.

Thanks Jimmy! I appreciate it!

Update - So I believe I've solved the brake booster mystery. I bought a booster for a '78 F350 2wd. Now this is a dual diaphragm, 8.75" dia booster, so much smaller diameter than the huge '73 booster. Both pushrods (front to MC, and rear to linkage) are the same length as the '73 booster. So, this means I can use the "lever-style" linkage and mount off the '73 (good thing because it's so pretty now, ha), and the Master Cylinder off the '73, and I'm golden. Here's the difference:

1973 F100 booster/MC unit - (2wd, discs front, drums rear -Cardone 50-3009)
Will not bolt up - interference with breather cap



1978 F350 booster - (2wd - Cardone 54-73311)
Lots more clearance, and looks better too.



Oh - and just because - here are the defrost vents I tore out of the old dash pad and had painted. A couple stainless screws and they'll look great.

[67nukeford]

That is such an awesome blue, Tyler!

[sargentrs]

It's uncanny how you always do what I need to and post the pics and information I need, about 6 months before I'm there. Great work and thanks for the tips!