Maybe I'm nuts...............

FROM STOCK TO WILD, BRAKE ISSUES AND UPGRADES GO HERE.
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1Gary
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Maybe I'm nuts...............

Post by 1Gary »

We have talked about almost everything you have think of in brakes.Except for...........a conversion to Air Brakes!!!!.

What do you guys know about them and what you you think??.

Sure seems like plenty of room passenger side bottom for a air tank.........
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY

LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Maybe I'm nuts...............

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Yes, you are nuts! Working on your van yet? Or are you still just reading the internet for ideas? :poke:
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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tbhager94
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Re: Maybe I'm nuts...............

Post by tbhager94 »

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Yes, you are nuts! Working on your van yet? Or are you still just reading the internet for ideas? :poke:
haha we need a like button from facebook
2000 chev blazer 4x4
If its got tits or wheels, its gonna give you problems!
im sure we all know the #1 junk yard rule if it fits in your pocket its free.
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1Gary
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: Maybe I'm nuts...............

Post by 1Gary »

LiftedAWDAstro wrote:Yes, you are nuts! Working on your van yet? Or are you still just reading the internet for ideas? :poke:
Well Deano ya just gotta read my latest posts........ #-o
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY

Kidhauler
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Re: Maybe I'm nuts...............

Post by Kidhauler »

Yup your nuts. There would be no benifit to putting air brakes on. There are alot of moving parts and they don't have the feel and response time of hydrolic brakes.

We love ya thou I mean who else would think of things like this. :poke:
1999 Safari Touring edition.
trailer tow pack with a 3:73 posi
Bucket bench seats, Rear heat, Rear Airconditioning.
teal green
300 000 kms
AirRide air bags in the rear to fix soft stock suspension.
Onboard aircompressor to make it all work nice.
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1Gary
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: Maybe I'm nuts...............

Post by 1Gary »

Kidhauler wrote:Yup your nuts. There would be no benifit to putting air brakes on. There are alot of moving parts and they don't have the feel and response time of hydrolic brakes.

We love ya thou I mean who else would think of things like this. :poke:
I would have thought they where a upgrade.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY
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mdmead
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Re: Maybe I'm nuts...............

Post by mdmead »

I'm not expert on air brakes, but I don't see what could possibly be gained. The problem with Astro/Safari brakes is in capacity... meaning size. Adding air to the equation wouldn't improve that.

But there is always the 'cool factor', and air brakes would add that!
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!


No new projects until the current ones are done!

Kidhauler
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Re: Maybe I'm nuts...............

Post by Kidhauler »

Air brakes are more powerful but that is due to the size of the parts. Also you are limited to how many times you can brake by how much air you have in the tank. When the air pressure drops the spring brakes come on and you don't move. Plus air brakes need to be adjusted daily and greased regularly which most people don't do.

I drive class 1 and work on the trucks all the time. It would sound cool pulling the spring brakes on and the big puff of air when you pull up to park but the rest of it would be a pain in the butt.

Now putting it on a airbag suspension system so it hisses and sets down when you park that would be cool and probably easier.
1999 Safari Touring edition.
trailer tow pack with a 3:73 posi
Bucket bench seats, Rear heat, Rear Airconditioning.
teal green
300 000 kms
AirRide air bags in the rear to fix soft stock suspension.
Onboard aircompressor to make it all work nice.
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1Gary
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 2743
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:18 am

Re: Maybe I'm nuts...............

Post by 1Gary »

Really wasn't thinking about a cool factor at all.It is that larger truck's and bus's have them,so there must be something to it.The larger parts does make sense.I am working near the vacuum brake booster on the 89 Ole Yellar rust repair and the thought occurred to me what kind of upgrade I might be able to do.I never liked the hydro boost on the 94 LT.Seemed like the brakes on the 85 where better.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......


Rochester,NY

astrozam
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Re: Maybe I'm nuts...............

Post by astrozam »

Should have stayed with the "cool factor" Gary... :D
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doyoulikeithere
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Re: Maybe I'm nuts...............

Post by doyoulikeithere »

Yup, Gary. You are officially Nuts ! LOL
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

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Re: Maybe I'm nuts...............

Post by markinnh »

yeah coo coo
always tinkering with stuff
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