Parking Brake Cable - Advice Needed
 

Good morning everyone and Happy New Year!

I am in the middle of installing a 4" lift on my '67 K20. The rear axle is an Eaton HO52 but I am using 11" drum brakes off of a later model 14 bolt rear end. Since the 11" drums are a bit smaller than the original 12" drums that were on the Eaton the rearmost parking brake cables that run from the backing to the plate are too short. It is now even worse (super tight) after installing the lift blocks. I am looking at Inline tube to see if I can get a custom set of cables made up. I am also going to pick up a set of new cables from a 14 bolt to see if they are a bit longer. However, if I do get new cables made up, how much longer do they need to be? I am thinking about 6" or so, but I have no idea how much slack should be in the cable.

Here are a few pictures of what I am dealing with.


Thanks, Clay

Re: Parking Brake Cable - Advice Needed
 

Here are a couple pictures of the cables on my K20. Maybe they will give you an idea how much slack you need?

I wonder if the lift kit people can give you an idea?

Re: Parking Brake Cable - Advice Needed
 

Thanks Jason! This helps a lot! Does your still have the original Eaton drums?



Clay

Re: Parking Brake Cable - Advice Needed
 

Yes, still original drums...

Re: Parking Brake Cable - Advice Needed
 

Maybe no help but I would check with Lokar to see if they can help.

Re: Parking Brake Cable - Advice Needed
 

Jason, could I trouble you for an approximate measurement of the length of your cables? Even with my newer style drums, they still seem way too short. Yours seem to have more than enough slack even if you lifted your truck.


Clay

Re: Parking Brake Cable - Advice Needed
 

I will give them a look see. Thanks!

Clay

Re: Parking Brake Cable - Advice Needed
 

I can measure them, but I’m standing in the airport and won’t be back until Monday so it would be Tuesday when I do it.

Mine are from in line tube.

Re: Parking Brake Cable - Advice Needed
 

No worries at all. I think I am just going to send mine in to inline tube and have them custom make a set.

Have a safe trip man, and Happy New Year!


Clay

Re: Parking Brake Cable - Advice Needed
 

I’m having the same problem with a 6” lift. I haven’t tried it yet but I’m wondering if the frame brackets were removed and install the right bracket to the left side and the left bracket over to the right side. That will give slack to the brake caliper and add length to the forward single cable going to the e-brake pedal. If all that makes sense.

Re: Parking Brake Cable - Advice Needed
 

I ended up contacting Inline Tube to have cables made for it. I am going to just have them add 4" in the middle of the cable to make it work.


Clay

Re: Parking Brake Cable - Advice Needed
 

Just an example but Lokar makes them, I used them on my 49 Chevy pickup over 20 years ago and they still work great.

Re: Parking Brake Cable - Advice Needed
 

One of the amusing things about my 72 build is/was that during my search for the right parking brake parts, I found that the PO just welded a couple cables together to make the length correct.

It actually works fine, but I like your plan better.