89 Ranger 2.9 4WD Manual .... Emergency brake works fine, but takes Hercules to pull release handle. Tried to remove emergency brake pedal assembly and got two of three bolts out, but nut on backside of third bolt is spinning. Will removing fender get me access to backside of that bolt???

 

Have you tried dousing the mechanism with PB blaster, WD-40 or acetone/ATF mix?

Sometimes, pushing a bit on the pedal while releasing will take the tension (that keeps the emergency brake 'ON') off the mechanism so you can pull the release. If you stomp on the pedal very hard, the release will be under a lot of tension from the brakes trying to get loose. If you 'help' the mechanism to get the load off of it, by pushing on the pedal, the mechanism should release easier. Just don't go another notch tighter.
I think the captured nut you speak of is accessible from outside. You should be able to remove the bolt at the lowest end of the fender, and flex the sheet metal out to see the nut. If you can, I'd put a vice-grip on, reaching behind the lower fender, and let it swing into something that will keep it from rotating. I don't think the fender has to come off all the way. Getting behind the headlights is kinda messy. Changing a headlight is not the easiest, at least on an 85.
tom

 

thanks for info
Ended up removing fender, which exposed 2 of 3 nuts, actually, for the middle one I had to cut a hole in the outside double wall of pillar to get access to the spinning nut. dremel tool with cutoff disc did the trick. I tack welded a square nut back in place....don't know if the weld is good, but don't care. I will never be taking it off! Just started medicare a couple months ago and am not the contortionist I was some years ago.
After all said & none, not really any user serviceable parts to the assembly. I dribbled some oil on moving parts. The pawl and notches looked ok. Dribbled some cycle cable lube down the e.brake cable. Mechanism seems to work a bit better, maybe my imagination. You're right, a little pressure on the pedal improves the ease of release.
Headlight trim assy on the 89 is a pain, both to remove and reinstall.

 

If the cables are adjusted too tight, releasing the parking brake can be a PITA