Steve Abbott
SILVER Star
I'm starting to get very close to paint on my '65 FJ40 project and I want to weld up the old booster holes and get the new ones drilled out before the tub goes to paint. I'm trying to figure out potential clearance issues for a power brake upgrade. Normally it would be easy to measure everything, but my truck is in pieces so it is very difficult to figure out clearances. On top of that, my truck is a bit of a frankenstein: '65 tub and frame, '78 2F engine/drivetrain, long runner intake, Sniper FI (which I haven't purchased yet). The previous owner has already cut the reinforcing rib on the firewall for a jack-legged GM power brake system that was used with a SBC conversion that I have since done away with. In short, I'm looking for a booster/master cylinder setup that is compact in total length and booster diameter since I have no way to measure final clearances at this point. I have read TONS of threads on power brake upgrades and carb, clutch master cylinder & rib clearance seem to be the big factors, in addition to actuator rod issues. This thread about doing a booster upgrade is pretty close to my setup. The only question I would have is how much bigger is the Sniper footprint vs. a carb? In the previously mentioned thread, @wngrog used a CityRacer @Racer65 booster and an ADVICS master cylinder which looked fairly compact. I checked the CityRacer site but it is currently down so I can't get any info on the size of the booster right now. The other option I'm looking at is a mini-truck booster from early 90's. The mini-truck booster appears small in diameter and sits tight to the firewall. I'm not sure what my options are for a short mc that fits that booster. Any input regarding a compact booster/mc combo would be greatly appreciated!
Steve
Steve