1950 F-3 w/Sterling rear end

Recently installed the Sterling rear in my F-3. One problem, rear parking brake cables. Original cables seem to be the proper length, but not able to secure them to the backing plate with the original bracket.

How have others overcome this? I don't have the cables from the donor as they were torched. Would a cable from the donor be adaptable to the original equipment parking brake mechanism? Don't want to resort to a driveshaft parking brake.

 

I can't help you, but I am glad you asked. I installed an Explorer 8.8 rear with disk brakes and need to know what cable to get to make mine work with the stock emergency brake handle. Maybe somebody can help both of us.

 

I had Control Cables build a set for my 8.8 rear and ford brake handle.
you tell them the ends and the lengths
here is their worksheet

Sam

 

sorry, I don't know what the connection looks like for this.

Sam

 

Thanks for the link. I'm thinking about using cables to work our lift bed.

 

I will probably be facing a similar task when I upgrade the rear end in my '49 F-4 as plans are to eliminate the driveshaft brake.
I saw a '55 F-350 with a cable brake set up The builder retained the original parking brake handle, mounted it on or near the C6 transmission with heavy duty brackets that he fabricated. It looked good and the owner said it worked well.
Unfortunately, I did not have a camera to get pictures but I do believe I can design and build something workable.

 

One my F250 I built a bracket to mount the original park brake handle in the original position on the stock cover over the transmission (460/C6). I changed the original rear end to a '71 dana 60 with 3.73 gears.
I purchased new cables for the rear end and ran them to a common connection and from there to the original brake handle. I don't have pictures and the truck is torn apart right now for R&R, but I might be able to do some pics this weekend. The truck is my avatar. I worked quite well for a number of years until I tore the truck apart for a redo last year.

 

Lokar has an ebrake cable assembly that comes with everything you would need to hook up to the stock handle if you have the front cable section. The rear cables are extra long and need to be trimmed for a f1 but will fit the bigger trucks.

 

I think a few have misunderstood. This is a 1950 F-3. It does not have a driveshaft parking brake or a handle on the floor, It is equipped with an under dash handle and was originally equipped with parking brakes on the rear wheels. All I have to do is get the rear cables fastened in the backing plates somehow if I use the original cables.

 

Do you have the original F3 brake backing plates still? If you do, it seems to me you could reproduce or graft in the brake cable section from the F3 backing plates into the Sterling backing plates so the cables could attach in the original manner. If everything fits as it needs to and all you need is a mounting for the cable retainer, it shouldn't be too difficult to create one. Unless there's more to this than I realize.

 

Sam, thanks for this info!

 

Think I have a solution. The rear cables for the donor truck measure 54 7/8 inches. Originals are 45 inches. If I install cables for the donor and run them to an equalizer I may be able to use the existing front cable. If not I may install a front cable for an F-1 which should be about 10 inches shorter.
Will keep the world informed.