When the truck is cold, and i just get in, the brake pedal is VERY VERY firm, almost like I don't have power brakes. After a few minutes. It softens up and i get better brake pressure....any ideas?

 

Depending on the temperature, it could be the power steering fluid taking a bit to warm up. Are your PS and Brake fluid levels at the proper amount?

 

Sounds like you may be leaking vacuum slowly after shut down. Does your truck have hydroboost or the regular vaccum assisted master cylinder booster?

Kurt

 

how would I know the difference. the brakes are strange. They are hard simetimes pulse, sometimes vibrate....lol but they are ery very hard

 

Ok new issue with brakes....when i turn the wheel 1-1.5 turns and hold it and pump the brakes I feel it cranking the wheel. Does the power steering and brake fluid have any thing to do with each other. Also on occasion when i hit the brakes its like only my front passenger side is working and truck goes hard right. It does seem like I have a leaky Power steering pump if that makes any difference.

 

On a '97 the power steering and brake boost are both powered by the power steering pump.
Check that the PS fluid is topped up and clean.
I highly recommend using Lubegard power steering additive available at most autoparts stores.

 

well since they both run off The PS pump, and it looks like my PS pump is leaking and in pretty bad shape, that would probably explain my brake issues. Is that an easy repair? or worth brining in. I have a cummins shop not to far from me, though not sure what they would charge. If it was a simple swap I would tackle it myself...any opinions?

 

These guys sell rebuilt vacuum pumps and repair kits, would be surprised if they don't do PS pumps also or could at least point you in the right direction http://www.fixinrams.com/

 

Id take a guess that some moisture in the lines may be involved. Have you tried flushing the system and replacing any lines that are corroded?
That fixed my problems with strange brake behavior after sitting overnight.