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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Now emergency brake problem

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Old May 8, 2007 | 10:34 PM
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Now emergency brake problem

Ok maybe some of you know what he's talking about. I have a 56 with a Nasscar truck suspension and drums in the back. 9" Currie rearend. The mechanic helping with the project says for the emergency brake (has to something special because of change in suspension) he needs 1 cable 22 to 23" from the backing plate. he already has one that is that size. Not sure exactly what he is talking about but I hope one of you understands him. Any idea where I can get what he wants? I showed him the one you can cut to length but says thats not for drums in the rear just disk and won't work. Getting closer. Just have to learn how to put pictures on the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forum.
 
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Old May 8, 2007 | 10:44 PM
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I don't quite get why you need special cables. They don't care what type of suspension it is. The only reason you would need different cables would be if the truck was raised and they don't reach any more.

Which brand of cables did you show him? I know Lokar makes cut to fit cables that work with drums. Rear calipers with built in park function aren't too common. The only difference between those cables is they have a smaller spring.
 
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Old May 9, 2007 | 08:06 AM
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I too can't see why a stock type center pull bridle cable won't work. The only time you would use the emergency brake would be when the truck is standing still so suspension type doesn't matter.
 
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Old May 9, 2007 | 10:30 PM
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Looked at it again tonight. See if I can explain it if I understand what he is saying. The arms on the suspension are from Chevy Nasscar setup. The rear end is not original but is a Ford 9". It came with two brake cables on it that are different lengths. The little brackets on these Nasscar arms had to be moved back a few inches because these cables weren't long enough to reach the brackets. What we are trying to do is have a cable come down from the cab to the center and pull on both cables. For some reason he seems to be against the Lokar cut to length type. Getting pretty confusing. He would like to have cables the same length.

He's being a little stubborn I think. Just an old hot rod mechanic kind of stuck in his ways. So what I was looking for is a company that makes them to custome lengths.
 
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Old May 9, 2007 | 11:24 PM
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My Ford 9" has a bridle or U shaped single cable attached to the brakes at each end with a sliding U shaped metal bracket in the middle. A single cable from the lever in the cab comes back and attaches to the center of that metal bracket with a threaded rod that can be adjusted for tension on the cable. It is done that way so that when the cable is tightened both brakes get even pressure resulting in a straight stop. Separate cables would need to be carefully adjusted regularly to pull evenly, never seen that type arrangement.
 
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Old May 10, 2007 | 08:09 AM
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My 9" differential has a cable set up just as AX described, Mine came out of a 1960 F-100. Maybe you should go to the local wrecking yard and poke around until you find theh cables that will work for you

Bobby
 
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Old May 10, 2007 | 08:44 AM
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Explorer rears have 2 different length cables on the back half because the cable from the front runs down the driver side, not the middle. Check one of those out. I think Lokar makes a set.
 
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Old May 10, 2007 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by 1Digger
I think Lokar makes a set.
That's what I'm using. You can cut their universal cables to length. I'm also running a narrowed 9" rear with drums, like you are. I'm also using their floor mount handle, too. Lokar lists all of their cables on their website.
 
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Old May 12, 2007 | 07:58 PM
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Putting a car together is a good way to learn how the things work, at least for me. I can see what AX is saying and I'll point it out to him. Found a place that can make thme and when I see them Monday I'll talk to them about it.
 
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Old May 12, 2007 | 08:31 PM
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Another E-Brake question

Pardon me for jumping on this thread, but I also have a emergency brake question. The PO, when he removed the original trans mount and installed one for the C4, he left the bracket for the emergency brake(the one that I guess was probably bolted onto the original transmission mount) just hanging in the air. All my cables are still intact all the way from the hand brake in the cab to the rear brakes. Is there anything magic about where I fasten that bracket? I was thinking about just drilling a coupla holes in the frame and reattaching it so my emergency brakes would work.
 
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Old May 13, 2007 | 06:08 AM
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Jim,

That's exactly what I did on my 48 F-3. I attached the formerly transmission mounted bracket to the boxing plate on passenger side frame rail and used unequal length emergency brake cables. It works fine.
 
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Old May 13, 2007 | 09:14 AM
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Thanks Vern, I figured such, but just wanted to hear from someone else who'd done it.
 
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Old May 13, 2007 | 10:39 AM
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There's always the hydraulic micro brake system that locks the brakes with a switch. You can do just two or all four. If the switch is hidden like under the seat it makes a good anti theft devise as well.
 
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Old May 13, 2007 | 11:24 AM
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What is a micro brake system? You think anybody may show it on the internet?

Sounds like I may want to take a look at it.
 
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Old May 13, 2007 | 12:23 PM
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E-bay has had them. I used to get them from Napa. I don't see why one still can't. It's a simple system that when ya apply the brakes and flip the switch it locks up whatever brakes ya have it installed on. Push the pedal again and flip the switch back to release.
 
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