When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The PO of my '66 F100 said they changed out the rear axle for a wider '79 9-inch. In the process they removed all the E-Brake cables which is a pain and dangerous with manual transmission.
I ordered the front cable since that should be for a '66, but the ball on the end of the cable wouldn't drop into the receiver on the hand lever. So, I actually have no ideas what cables I need. Can anyone help me with this so I don't have to try a bunch of random cables from 66 to 79?
There is a small spring loaded pawl lever on the hand pull actuator for the parking brake. It has to be manually flipped up while pushing the handle forward to allow the front cable end ball to be removed or installed into the actuator. Someone posted a nice tutorial on this site, but I could not find it. Perhaps some one with sharper search skills can dig it up.
I replaced my E-brake cables last year. The original end that goes into the hand brake lever is round. The replacement end is olive shaped. I had to file it from an olive shape to a round shape until it fit. If you have a grinder, that might make it easier. I don't know if that is what you are running into.
That's it, the end on the cable was the wrong shape. So I could grind that down.
But the two rear cables, should I use some for a '66 or '79? The coupler between the single cable and the dual cables is just a stamped steel lever under the bed. Maybe there are other parts missing?
My axle was moved to make a short bed, and I needed to change the cables. If you get into a spot that stock cables don't work for the current set-up, I just got great service and a new set of custom lengths from this vendor: https://www.madisonpowersystems.com/...g-brake-cables
Using their pdfs and some help on the phone, I specified the end fittings, cable length, end ferrules, jacket length, length of spring inside the drum, etc.
You are missing several parts that connect the single front cable to the two rear cables. They also allow you to adjust the tension. I use to have a 1977 F250 and those parts are different from the 1966. I suspect that the 1966 rear cables will connect the same to your rear brake shoes, so I would get the rear brake cables for the 1966. Someone can chime in and let me know if I am wrong. You might be able to find them at LMC. Although they annoy me with all of the shipping charges they have.
Here is a link that discusses the same thing with a diagram showing what parts you are missing.
Very helpful, thank you everyone. Yes, I'm missing the cables, equalizer, adjusting rod, spring, clips.
I don't see any of that stuff at LMC. Mac's & Dennis Carpenter have some of the stuff. I guess I can just use Bronco parts, but I have a long bed so I'll need longer rear cables...