Hey all, On a mission to get my ebrakes figured out. Im hoping to use my stock underdash pull handle. It was originally used for the trans tail band brake. I now have an auto trans and modern rear end. Will this handle work to pull rear drum ebrakes or will it not have enough leverage advantage? Trying to figure this out. Thanx
IIRC, that Dodge park brake handle has quite a bit of travel, so if you had to you could make up a lever arrangement under the truck to multiply your pulling force.
Yes it sure does have a lot of travel. Ive got a strong arm and might break the darn thing with no lever assistance.
I mounted a 56 Dodge pickup body on a HQ Holden utility chassis a few years back (Aussie GM) I did exactly what you are talking about, using the pull handle, thru a Holden lever system, worked great.. I think mid 50's Chevs have the same sort of idea.. Here's a couple of pics I got off the net, they will give you an idea what I'm talking about..
Realize that you are supposed to set the brakes with the brake pedal before pulling the handle. With the proper cables your mechanism should be fine. I know they are referred to as "emergency brakes", but they really are a "parking brake".
Similar to a brake pedal, ratio can be adjusted by moving pivot points in the fulcrum. You'll easily get the required travel to work.
If I remember correctly the Ford Maverick had a pull parking brake I. Would think you could steal the lever assembly from one.
Yes this setup would work well. Just couldn't wrap my Melon around it last night...lol Yes I agree, I am hoping this to be an Emergency Backup, because Im still single Master Cylinder...yah I know. Been this way for 66 years on this truck. Yes I agree. Have not seen a whole lotta Mavericks and Comets in these parts fur years.
Are you sure that your pull handle is original for that truck? Anyways, that type of handle should work with the parking brakes on a more modern rear end, you just need the equalizer linkage and cables as mentioned by others.
My son added an emergency brake to my old LSR/drag racer 40 Chevrolet with a 57 Pontiac rear that no e brake parts in it. The spreader bar, spring, and back shoe arm came from my 56 Ford car. Both rear brakes were 11” Bendix, car brands made no difference. The floor mounted handle was from Lokar and the cables with the bolt in brackets with the cables from the Control Cables Co in Sante Fe Springs I think. It was a lot easier than we thought..
Yes on Bendix type components and yah its not Quantum physics either. Just some work to get it all working..
Okay some progress, Designed a lever/draw bar assembly. Its attached to ebrake handle cable. The main cables off rear ebrakes will attach to the lever bar. I hope it works, if not will redesign/tweak it.
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