Posted by Woody on November 09, 1997 at 22:47:46:
In Reply to: Air brake conversion posted by Charlie Baker on October 20, 1997 at 19:59:56:
Hi Charlie---I go through this urge every once in a while and then remember when we tried it on an M37. Never again! It was nothing but TROUBLE! About 20 years ago, a buddy found all the needed (surplus) parts at ACME Truck Parts in Stockton, Calif. and conned me into helping. Mechanically, it worked once he learned not to flat-spot the tires. The problems started when his insurance company found out, followed by the Dept. of Motor Vehicles. Then, he, an avid deer hunter, discovered that every time he set the parking brake, it scared every deer out of the county! Surprisingly, all the parts they sold him fit like they'd been made for his rig, backing plates, S-cams, and all---we added spring brake pots on the rear. Even so, he finally converted back to hydrovac boosted hydraulic. He moved out of state and I've lost contact with him.
Point: The ONLY advantage to air brakes are for sanitary hook-up to trailers. Frankly, unless you're into air-brake trailers, I'd forget it. If you're looking for more brake power try a hydro-vac or as a last ditch thing, go down one bore size at the master cylinder. Woody