question on e brake on cj and scramblers

myscrambler1 · #1 07-28-2008, 08:18 PM

after body lift and other changes went to hook up e brake and finding the length is too short to hook up in the correct way. i did get it hooked up by welding a short bolt extension on the end of the cable that goes to the equalizer but thinking about trying to do a center ebrake like on mustangs has anybody tried a center ebrake and what kind of problems did you have with it. may help me make up my mine if i want to try to do it or not. what i need is to find a longer ebrake cable that is the same working kind like on the scrambler does anyone know if the cj cable is like a gm or ford for the foot pedal type e brake thanks

RickCJ7 · #2 07-30-2008, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myscrambler1

thinking about trying to do a center ebrake like on mustangs has anybody tried a center ebrake and what kind of problems did you have with it.

I'm not certain what you mean by "center ebrake". Is that having the handle between the seats? Or do you mean putting the brake onto the driveshaft?

myscrambler1 · #3 07-30-2008, 06:54 AM

the handle between the seats

LEVE · #4 07-30-2008, 08:38 AM

How fancy do you want to get? There's lots of Jeepers out there that are installing central (between the seats) brake levers... some activate brakes on both wheels; some install two levers that can "cut" brakes so either are controllable for the trail.

RRich · #5 07-30-2008, 09:28 AM

Rather than searching all over and trying to adapt something that will "do", why not do it right?

Phone book "industrial cables" - there are lots of small businesses that custom make all kinds of cables. Take yours in with the correct ends on it and the dimensions you need. They can can make you a custom cable exactly like you need for very cheap.

I had a clutch cable made up recently - OEM and Aftermarket wanted about $200 for it. They charged me about $40 and it was much better quality - stronger, smoother etc. - than OEM. And - they did it while I waited!

While I was there I saw some accelerator cables with the square ends sitting in a box for $5.00 each. He said they made them for someone that never came back to pick them up. I bought them all - and have since used most of them.

bandhmo2 · #6 07-30-2008, 05:19 PM

Not to be "that guy", but you may want to think twice about moving the parking brake lever. My understanding is that in moving the lever, from its original type and location you are no longer meet DOT requirements. I am not saying not to do it, lord knows most of my jeep is not DOT approved, just saying to keep it in mind.

myscrambler1 · #7 07-30-2008, 05:44 PM

thanks i am not sure if i am going to move it, i am just looking at all options. the main problem is that i did a body lift of about 3in and along with the modifications i did to the frame rail and floor panels now the length of the oem ebrake cable is not long enough . their are things i can do to off set the short cable just all the work to do to make it work in the stock position or try the center location. just wanted a little feedback if somebody has changed a cj and what problems they ran into doing it thanks

Jim_Lou · #8 07-30-2008, 06:18 PM

A. I much prefer a center-handle brake for handbrake turns. And I much prefer a brake than can be applied and released in increments.

B. I left the boot brake and all-or-nothing release because I don't plan to do handbrake turns in the Jeep, and I like the space between the seats for a nice, dry, roomy console.

RRich · #9 07-30-2008, 06:30 PM

Even with the pedal type or a central "T" hand brake, a lever brake, even two of them, can be added with a little creativity.

Two levers, one for each wheel, are a poor man's locker. In some situations it's even better than a locker. The levers can be mounted low and flat enough to be out of the way.

Notice some pro crawlers even have steering brakes on the front too. They can lock any wheel any time.

myscrambler1 · #10 07-30-2008, 06:44 PM

sounds like you guys have done it and it works but i just want to be able to hold the cj on a hill due to it being a 4 speed trans so and i guess i should include that not too far down the road when i finish with the full floater rear end and the disk brake system on the back the e brake is going to be changed and right now looks like i will be using the early 1978 to 1985 cad rear brake calipers with the ebrake . they will have a seperate cable from each side so thinking ahead that may be the way to go and route each side up the frame rail and then to the middle to a center arm ebrake. thanks