Parking brake question
 

Is it possible to switch from a foot operated parking brake setup on the far left side of the cab, to one of the lever operated ones in the center of the dash?

For reference purposes I have a 1953 1/2 ton five window.

The purpose of my question is that I acquired a set of kick panels from Rod Door that are pretty spiffy, but given the pod for a right and left speaker, the left side does not fit because it interferes with the foot operated mechanism.

Thanks in advance.

Bob

Re: Parking brake question
 

I didn't think the pre 1960 came with a foot operated. in base model truck.

You should just have to put the stock 49-53 parking brake handle rod and lever on frame that is probably still in place. hook up the cables the center pull and you should be good to go. I'll bet a few folks may even have one around and I am sure some guys on stovebolt will have something.

Re: Parking brake question
 

Attachment 2362074

Re: Parking brake question
 

I'd like to understand the intersection between where the foot operated pedal connects to the under cab linkage versus the dash operated version. How and where does the cab mounted handle mount?

Re: Parking brake question
 

First forgive me lost my mind on parking brake and years.

Had my other hat on. Of course it had a foot pedal

Look at how the 1955.2 to 59 is setup. That may work for what you ar looking for.

Re: Parking brake question
 

The handle is just under dash it has a straight rod thru firewall down to frame rail to a pivot mounted on frame. The pivot is connected via cable to center of underbelly of truck to center pull for both left and right rear cables.

The handle is a pull so it pulls the pivot to pull the cable toward front and engage.

Re: Parking brake question
 

Then it seems that in addition to the dash mounted handle, I'd need the rod through the firewall, the frame connector (where does it attach relative to the stock steering box) and the cable that would run back to my existing frame mounted pivot to the cables that run to the each side rear brake.

Re: Parking brake question
 

here you go

Re: Parking brake question
 

this is the 55.2 - 59 version. in picture in previous post

Re: Parking brake question
 

or you could go like the 60s cars had the ratchet style.

just some cabling to work on and setup.

Re: Parking brake question
 

Hmmmmm those are a lot of parts to acquire. I see several of them on Chev's of the 40's but that bill is going to add up.......I need to do more research. Thank you for the picture that helps a lot.

Re: Parking brake question
 

'47, maybe '48 and all years of AD cab 1 Ton or larger had a center mount parking brake lever that mounted to the side of the trans. from there a rod ran back to pull on the parking brake cross-bar

people have adapted this same lever to various modern transmissions

it is 'farm implement' in style though

Re: Parking brake question
 

Thats an interesting alternative that might be able to work with my existing setup.

Re: Parking brake question
 

Given that I have a 59' 261 engine and and floor mounted T&F shifter mounted to a four-speed GM Saginaw, that hook up might get tricky

Re: Parking brake question
 

Where did you find this ratchet style? Was it from a specific make and model?

Re: Parking brake question
 

or
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ado-42563907
and some 1/4' round stock to make a link back to the factory cross bar

Re: Parking brake question
 

you can find the pull style ratcheting ones in toyota pickups 70s-90s

Re: Parking brake question
 

the ratchet style was a 63 mustang but there are other version by all kinds of manufacturers

Re: Parking brake question
 

Found the same one you posted on Summit for a Mustang. I think that might be able to be adapted easy enough. I'll investigate further

Re: Parking brake question
 

the depth of that rod may be different on different version and manufactures.
GM had them in the 150 and other period correct cars as well if you more into keeping in line. But Toyota as well like previously posted may have the right length you need. cable on .

Re: Parking brake question
 

This is a bit more expensive but I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with an electric hydraulic parking brake. This is effectively what is in three of the cars in our family......park the car, press the button to engage the parking brake.

Attachment 2362079

Re: Parking brake question
 

If that is inline with normal brake lines. Good for parking lousy for emergency
You loose a line and fluid it does nothing. There is a reason the parking emergency brake is cable activate

Re: Parking brake question
 

Good point, but then its the same as the three other newer cars in the family. The truck already has been fitted with four rotors and calipers, as well as an electric hydraulic power brake booster.

Re: Parking brake question
 

There is a steel rod that runs from the park brake pedal assembly to the cross shaft (that big bar that the park brake cables fasten to.

That bar runs at a bit of an angle across a pad on the frame rail to a clevis.

Re: Parking brake question
 

A few GM cars in the early 50's had a pull handle to put the park brake on that went under the dash, usually on the left side of the steering wheel. A lot of Ford cars and trucks that handle and cable that could be worked to work the park brake.

One shot with my doodle on it shows what's left of a park brake rod someone lifted the cab off the chassis of the truck and cut the rod The other one shows the cross shaft with part of a bent up rod and you can see the clevis.

Some of the GM ones are far too complicated to swap, OK in their original home but too much work. The TF truck handle has rods and levers going every which way rather than a cable.

The simplest would be a floor mounted lever like a ton of cars have either using the cable that was used with the handle or modifying that steel rod to work with the handle. The rub with that is that you have the park brake handle down on the floor board.