okay guys i gots another question, lately ive been fumbling around with my e-brake, the cables im buying snap after a few uses or they fall aprt right out of the box and im a lil tired of wasteing gas to go and get it returned, that and im going to be doin a 1 ton axle setup and figued a hydro e-brake would be more versitile and less of a head ache to install when that happens. i was thinking of using a hydraulic e-brake, where could i get one meant for my tuck?

 

You think you have headaches now.

Buy better cables.

 

My first ten years driving, the master cylinder was single, not double as today's. When getting ready to apply the brakes you never knew when the pedal would go to the floor and not even slow down. I definitely would not trust that system for emergency brake.

 

The whole POINT of having an emergency brake is to employ a completely MECHANICAL secondary braking system! I most cases, a vehicle without such a braking system will not pass a safety inspection. Maybe you don't have to where you are. But relying on hydraulics for BOTH systems is a scary proposition especially when you consider the fact that an emergency brake system holds the system in tension (under pressure) for sustained periods of time. The reason hydraulic systems aren't typically employed this way is because it puts undue stress on seals and fittings which could let the system fail prematurely or at the very least when you aren't standing there to catch the failure.

If you are breaking brake cables, there is something wrong with the system beyond just the cables. There are a ton of other parts that could be causing your issues. Do the cables break in the same location each time? If so, then check the system in that area. It could be rubbing on anything from frame rails to axle housings. Improper adjustment of the equalizer will actually cause an over-tension condition that I've seen pull the swaged ends off of an e-brake cable before. DO NOT cut corners when stopping your truck is on the line.

 

^^^This

If you want a very solid e brake and don't like the stock set up look into a pinion brake.

 

Check out the line lock system on this link, These were used on some older trucks


Lever Lock - Mico® Brake Locks | AW Direct

 

I wouldn't wanna rely on that little switch.

As mentioned, there are alot of parts that have to be in good shape for teh E brake to function properly. Its much easier/safer to fix it right then cobble something together.

If you want to be different then look into the driveshaft parking brake that was on some of the early F-Super duties (pre-1998)