Ah I just missed this!! I replaced the stock vacuum booster since I needed the truck as it's my only vehicle. How tough is swapping to hydroboost over replacing the vacuum booster, and what sort of benefits does it give?
The swap isn’t too bad. I was fortunate to find a 2500 suburban with a 350 in the junkyard. I took the booster, master cylinder, power steering pump, hoses, cooler, and the factory vacuum cap that plugs the hole in the intake where the vacuum booster line goes. I think I also grabbed the brake pedal.
There’s a thread somewhere that details the swap. I had the 2500 power steering pump rebuilt and painted, and I bought a new power steering cooler since they were so cheap at the time. ABS and variable steering still work.
Benefit is the huge improvement in braking. Before the pedal would always sink to the floor, it never wanted to stop. Stopping was only a suggestion instead of a command with the old vacuum brakes. I worked on the vacuum brakes for years with no good results.
I also grabbed the calipers off the 2500. It was half a days worth of work installing it all. But again, one of the best upgrades I’ve done to it. Firm brake pedal, and the stopping power is a night and day difference.
Oddly enough some people do not like the springy feel of the hydroboost pedal but I do. I grew up driving diesels with hydroboost so I prefer it.
I would say the worst part is getting underneath the dash tackling the booster bolts and also that hell-fired brake pedal clip that holds the brake switch on.