Hydro boost set-up needed

Jobey said:

how much ya want for it?

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Jeez... I don't know. This is the hard part

Lemme think about it...

Jegs $430


Amazon, $479

What's your timeframe?

I'm out of town until Wednesday and the earliest I could ship is Thursday. Is that a dealbreaker? If so then price isn't a factor.

Jeg's price includes shipping, so that sets the bar on price (unless you've found one for less).

1998_K1500_Sub said:

What's your timeframe?

I'm out of town until Wednesday and the earliest I could ship is Thursday. Is that a dealbreaker? If so then price isn't a factor.

Jeg's price includes shipping, so that sets the bar on price (unless you've found one for less).

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I’m gonna look around the local junkyards. Initially that the reason I decided to do the swap. I can get the parts for around the same price as a vacuum booster new. Which is about 130

Jobey said:

I’m gonna look around the local junkyards. Initially that the reason I decided to do the swap. I can get the parts for around the same price as a vacuum booster new. Which is about 130

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I just gotta find em.

Jobey said:

I just gotta find em.

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Honestly, that might be your better option from a cost perspective.

RockAuto lists that part as being applicable to many years' vehicles (list attached). I would think the yards would be able to pick one for you if they don't already have one on the shelf.

You'll likely want the PS pump housing too, since it has the additional fluid return fitting that's needed for HB setups. If you have the EVO steering option then you might have additional considerations.

Also, AFAIK HB setups used a long, narrow oil cooler mounted in front of the radiator on the driver's side. I'm not certain how necessary it is but it's a factor you might want to investigate.

you'll need a brake pedal from a HB donor truck as the distance from the pivot to the push rod is different between vacuum and HB models. It's a direct swap otherwise. I actually have a spare HB pedal but am keeping it in the event I ever build another GMT400. I have a '94 K1500 and did the HB conversion a few years ago. It is worth the time to do this IMO. The engine I have in the truck will get it moving in a hurry and I wanted the ability to quickly reign it in as well and never liked the vacuum based brakes.

I actually bought a wrecked K3500 just for the pedal and HB components. I used the components as cores and bought new parts (PS pump, and HB) and new lines. It's not a difficult swap but do your research. If I remember right I downsized my MC to a 2500 but the PS pump was from a 3500. I'd have to look at my notes. I am NOT running a PS fluid cooler and have not had any problems whatsoever. I did put an inline filter in however. I sold the wrecked truck to somebody that wanted the engine and transmission for what I paid for the thing so I was only out the time and effort to get it and offload it once I had my parts. Somewhat easier than working in a junkyard but certainly doable from a yard too. You won't find the pedal sold as an aftermarket part but you can occasionally find them on ebay if you're patient. I've seen where guys will modify a brake pedal to convert it from vacuum actuator to HB. I wasn't comfortable with that route from a safety standpoint but it's an option.

I converted my van nearly 10 years ago. I added a large Derale cooler where the factory van cooler mounts recently when the 383 went in. The power steering fluid was getting way too hot after adding hydroboost. The p/s supply hose was actually melting the convulted looming on the wiring going to my trailer brakes. I used the 1-ton master and SRW 1-ton front calipers.



Pedal difference, HB on left.


New Derale cooler, had to drill 2 holes in the core support brace to mount it.

L31MaxExpress said:

The power steering fluid was getting way too hot after adding hydroboost. The p/s supply hose was actually melting the convulted looming on the wiring going to my trailer brakes.

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Thanks for following up with this tidbit.

I wondered just how "critical" the PS oil cooler was to the HB setup. AFAIK there's not much talk on GMT400 about adding the cooler when doing retrofit HB. My take: If it's there from the factory, it's there for a reason, so the best route to success is to replicate the complete design.

1998_K1500_Sub said:

Thanks for following up with this tidbit.

I wondered just how "critical" the PS oil cooler was to the HB setup. AFAIK there's not much talk on GMT400 about adding the cooler when doing retrofit HB. My take: If it's there from the factory, it's there for a reason, so the best route to success is to replicate the complete design.

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Ehh, I had a factory cooler on vacuum brakes on another truck. Having a cooler is better regardless.

I converted my truck a couple of years ago. Day/night difference (better). Check out my build thread in my sig for write up + pics. I also added a cooler because of the above reasons.