Can I just add a booster to my '73' CJ5 for power brakes

I was wondering if I can just find a part number for a booster to convert my stock brake set up to power brakes. I am restoring a 1973 CJ5 and I have basically redone the brake system with a new MC, new wheel cylinders, new pads and all the other associated parts. I contacted a company ( I forgot the name) that has a bolt in replacement including the MC for over 400.00. I was hoping I could find a source for a power booster that could just bolt in with my new master cylinder. I know this might not be realistic, but it never hurts to throw the question out there.
This is a great forum, thanks for all your help. Gary.

 

Check with your local wrecking yard, they should be able to help on which booster to use.

 

we had to take the booster back off of my 5 when i went to disk on the front it was so touchy that u couldn't drive it if u just laid ur foot on the pedal it would throw u though the windshield just a though

 

Listen to Tumbleweed. He is wise beyond his years.

All the guys around here raved about using the booster from a 95 cherokee with the stock CJ MC, so I bought one, mounted it, it fit perfectly, but I never once got it working. Why? 8 mm 1.5 thread studs.

I needed to get 2 8mm 1.5 thread nuts to connect the MC to the booster. I went to every hardware store, auto store, and local dealership in my area. Even the nuts I bought from a dealership for a 95 cherokee didn't fit.

I figured that the parts store I bought the booster from made a mistake. My fault for going to AutoZone, right? Besides, I had 35 inch tires on this Jeep, I should go to the biggest booster I could get!

I bought a Booster/MC combo from an E350 at NAPA with the idea that I would drill a few holes for mounting and I'd end up with power brakes.

I had to have spacers made to step the booster out to the proper distance and then had a plate machined to reinforce the firewall.

I had to remove the pedal rod, have it cut, and then re-welded to the proper angle for use with my stock brake pedal.

I had to make a couple of 8 inch brake lines with odd sized fittings to adapt the existing lines to the MC.

Now I have a perfectly working brake system that stops 35 inch Boggers on a dime. In fact, they are too strong. If I hit the brakes too hard, I'm worried that I'll skid and roll.

All told, I spent about 600 bucks in parts, machine shop work, and materials. Add into that the hours and weekends I spent and the busted knuckles and, suddenly, the Vanco system, which is designed for our vehicles, seems like a bargain.

 

Guys, thanks for all the info. I'll run the jeep for a while with a stock system, and see what I think. Tumbleweed and Mongo, thanks for the posts--- I like to save money like everyone else but I'm not into wasting a dollar trying to save a dime. With my own business and a growing family, time is what I don't have so going with the Vanco system may well be my best choice.

 

Power brakes was an option on a '73 Jeep, as was power steering. Both of my Jeeps ('73 and '75) had the factory power brakes, but it seems (in looking at Jeeps recently) like very few of these Jeeps either were delivered with power brakes, or else they have been replaced with manual brakes. I looked a few places for a replacement booster, but have not been able to find a source - I suspect there is noone making an exact replacement booster now.

There are probably a couple of brackets that go with the booster, but if you can find a '72-75 CJ or '72-73 Commando equipped with power brakes in a wrecking yard, and take the whole setup, it will fit perrrfectly. You may not be able to find a replacement booster, but there are a few companys that will rebuild your booster - they cater to classic car buffs.

Maybe check with J&W in the Sacramento area? Not cheap, but they have a lot of stuff.

 

Thanks for all the info. Now I have a place to start. I was really hoping to avoid a disc brake conversion for now, just because I don't see myself doing anything extreme for a while, just want to use the jeep to get out in the woods, however, the bug is starting to bite! I did some research on past forums this afternoon and I really want to contact Lynn about drilling the brake drums, it sounds like a perfect compromise for what I want for my jeep; power brakes with drilled drums. Tim, thanks for that reference to JW, that name has come up before as a good place for jeep parts. It's only about 2.5 hours from me. Gary

 

I feel your pain. I have the same configuration and problem, 1973 CJ5 with 258. While the condition when I bought it was very good the all around drums left something to desire, even running 30's. I pulled all the drums and had them resurfaced, replaced all the hardware (MC, cylinders, springs...) got new hard lines preformed and while the braking was better, still poor. Then I saw the CJ6 power MC transplant

http://jeepsunlimited.com/mambo2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=42&Itemid=30

I got a 97 YJ power MC and after drilling new hole locations it fit right up, the MC I bought on ebay had the adjustable rod so calibration was no problem. You have to grind off the end of the rod shape next to the connecting hole to fit the pedal pin, no problem. I could however not get the brake light switch to work after the upgrade and had to get an after market switch, but I think the design of the old switch was poor anyway. To the point, the brakes are very strong and I plan to next do the drum hole drilling to improve the wet braking. Good luck.

NHD