Power brakes, 67 CJ5

I have a 67 CJ5 with a 225, T-14,T18.

My wife has taken a liking to driving it, and demands that the brakes be improved. I believe it has 10" drums right now. I don't have a problem locking up the tires, but she isn't strong enough to push the brakes very hard.

I have looked at power brake options, and there don't seem to be any bolt in kits, or conversions. Most of what I hear is "buy an old master cylinder from the junkyard and build some brackets".

I'm a machinist, so I could build something that works, but are there any easier methods? It looks like I would have to rip out the heater box and move it if I wanted to install a swinging pedal type of setup. Any thoughts on relocating the heater?

Am I just stuck with what I have?

Thanks a bunch.

 

It's pretty much like you're thinking.

Rob brakes off of some donor:
http://www.boyink.com/splaat/ssdutch-comments/brakes-power-11/
http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33035

Then put in an aftermarket heater:
http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21075
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2D991101&N=700+%2D128255+115&autoview=sku

...or Chevy Astro Van heater:
http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showpost.php?p=42559&postcount=9

...and while you're at it, might want to address the 10" drums:
http://www.earlycj5.com/tech/brakes/

...and if you make it that far, might as well do the knuckle stud conversion, too:
http://www.earlycj5.com/tech/steering/knuckleStud/index.php

 

Another possibility is a remote power booster
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb...~S2490G94CU24635119906a~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000042b

I found a couple different brands when I did a Google search for "remote power brake booster." Apparently this is a common component for hot rods.

There are also electric power brake boosters, and hydroboost systems, which may be small enough to fit under the floor and use the stock pedals
http://www.abspowerbrake.com/powerboosters.html

 

Thanks for the links guys, I really appreciate it. I figured I'd have to relocate things...

If I stick with drums, either 10 or 11 inches, I assume I need a booster off an all-drum donor, so the system doesn't have check valves like discs?

The heater isn't a big deal at the moment, its 100 outside

 

I'm pretty seriously considering the new MC option. The remote boosters look like the cleanest solution, but they are spendy ($600-900). If I was spending that kind of money I'd be buying better brakes.

Thanks for all the ideas. I'll have to tear into it this weekend and see what I can do.

 

don't forget Herm's stuff. He has a dual resevior master cylinder conversion, giving you two circuits instead of one.

Take a look, it's an option I'm thinkin' of using.

http://www.hermtheoverdriveguy.com/id2.htm