Hello all, new to the forum and the 73-78 Ford truck world as well.

I just picked up a 1978 Ford F250 Crew Cab 4x4 pickup
351m, np435, np205, mostly stock and in pretty good shape except the random rust. Disc - double piston up front, drum in the rear.

Just picked up the truck last week and starting to pick my way through the truck so I can get it inspected.

The problem:

Brakes where soft and not engaging till the hit the floor and then they would lock up. Read up on the possible problems and found the rear drums to be out of adjustment. Adjusted the rear drums and now the brakes work much better.

Now on to the parking brake
Looked under the truck and found someone had bought newer cables fairly recently and installed the front main cable through the wrong hole in the frame. Removed and re-installed in the correct hole. Applied the parking brake and it went all the way down and did not hold the truck. Released the brake and the pedal popped back but slack remained in the cable inside the cab. Climbed underneath and pulled on the cables to remove the slack in the forward cable. Adjusted the equalizer nut to remove the slack (stock return spring is intact). Did this a few times to remove any slack. Truck still moves freely when rolling backwards but driving forward felt like parking brake was working great. Now while stepping on the parking brake pedal it was almost impossible to push in any amount, but the rear brakes don't appear to be dragging with the pedal fully released. Everything appears to be hooked up correctly and when I had the drums off the cables where attached correctly to the actuator arm.
It's been awhile since I've worked on drums but maybe I'm missing something simple in my adjustment procedures? Any help would be great, Thanks in advance.

 

Wow, no one has any help?

 

Someone will be along and be able to answer your question intelligently.
I also have a 78 F250 CC. I need the 2 rear parking brake cables but I have not found anyone with them. Is there a chance the "newer" cables you have are incorrect and have to much or too little travel to full lock up your parking brakes ?

 

They rear's appear correct and they fit in the stock holes under the truck. But they're either to tight when I take the slack out or has to much slack and the pedal goes to the floor. Either way no braking action rolling backwards. Maybe I should look at a hydraulic brake line lock instead, maybe alot less headaches

 

The hydraulic line lock will not pass inspection, at least not here in Texas. I have also heard mixed reviews on those when being used for parking brakes. Possibly improper installation, but who knows ?