I've begun researching the process of converting my green patrol to use a dual reservoir MC on the brakes -
There is one VERY major primary benefit of doing this - the factory Patrol MC is a single pressure source, single reservoir system, so any loss of hydraulic brake pressure will impact all 4 corners of the vehicle- this is obviously potentially very dangerous.
I have reduced my candidates for this conversion down to 2 master cylinders with 1 inch bores--- I'm sure there are many others out there that could also work, but these two seem like fairly simple DIY-style swaps. Below I will list some of the pros/cons I see with each option.
The first one is the Wilwood MC that we discussed in this thread started by River Patrol:
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2595
I found this Wilwood unit for $117 shipped from the following source:
http://raceconsultingagency.com/i-17948 ... oCp5bw_wcB
Pros:
1) Fairly simple swap - remove the stock MC, enlarge a couple holes, and bolt this baby on, and then add one new length of brake line.
2) Styling- Looks similar to the design of the original MC, with just a second reservoir sitting on top.
Cons:
1) Only 2 outlets - so there is no provision for the brake light switch- a tee will have to be installed in one of the outlets to drive the pressure switch for the brakes.
2) plastic reservoirs are not nearly as robust as a solid cast housing with a steel cap
The 2nd MC I am considering is the early Corvette style dual reservoir, which I found on Ebay for the smokin price of only 55 bucks:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tuff-Stuff-2020 ... 95&vxp=mtr
Pros:
1) Cheep - less than half the cost of the Wilwood unit
2) Solid, cast iron reservoir housing - drop it on your foot, and a broken toe is almost guaranteed.
3) The rebuild kit for this MC is pretty much 100% compatible with the rebuild kit for the stock Patrol MC, so rebuilding this one in the future would be very familiar to DIY Patrollers.
4) it has 4 outlets, all threaded with the same 3/8 inch, 24 thread fitting as the stock patrol brake line, and the brake pressure switch (you would have to plug the 4th outlet).
Cons:
1) Styling- It's an American car part, that looks like an American car part, so the other Datsun fans at the Saturday evening meet are going to see it and instantly form a negative opinion of your brake system decisions
2) the mounting bolts are oriented horizontally, and there is not much room for it to be oriented on the firewall - more serious modification will be necessary to make this one fit the firewall, as opposed to simply hogging out the existing mounting holes an extra 1/8 inch, to fit the Wilwood unit.
So that's where I'm at - I haven't decided which one I'm going to order... I am leaning toward the Wilwood piece, simply because I know it will fit the firewall.
thoughts? opinions? Are there any other inexpensive dual reservoir MC's out there I should also be considering...?