47-59 Parking brake question

[TX3100Guy]

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

[Hcb3200]

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.

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by hcb3200

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.

[TX3100Guy]

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?

[Hcb3200]

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.

[Hcb3200]

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.

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by Hcb3200

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.

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.

[leegreen]

'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

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by TX3100Guy

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?

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.

[Hcb3200]

here you go

[Hcb3200]

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

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by Hcb3200

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

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.

[Hcb3200]

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

just some cabling to work on and setup.

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by Hcb3200

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

just some cabling to work on and setup.

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

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by Hcb3200

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

just some cabling to work on and setup.

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

[TX3100Guy]

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.

[Hcb3200]

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

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by Hcb3200

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

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.

[mr48chev]

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.

[nvrdone]

Im working on using a rachet style pull handle from summit. My plan is to mount it on the left side of the floor between the seat and door with a cable going back to the cross bar under the cab. Then the only problem will be the loss of the left side vent.

[TX3100Guy]

If possible, I'd like to see a photo of the mechanism you are going to use. I can't yet wrap my head around how you are going to connect it.

[fauXGT]

If you already have rear discs, then I guess it has park brake capabilities?
I did not have any of the stock park hardware, so I hunted down some parts.
All cable driven. I just built the firewall mount at an angle before final paint to get the cable to hit the eyelet straight. Probably don't have to.

[leegreen]

have you looked at the linear actuator style electric e-brakes?
e-stopp is one. it has been used by a couple people on the site, but I am not aware of any long term driving reviews

if you have a functional ebrake now it could be the simplest way to get rid of the pedal without needing to mess up your interior.

[nvrdone]

tx3100guy. Unfortunatly I dont do pictures. never figured it out.
The handle mounts thru the floor and then a cable will run back to the left end of the cross bar where the cable to the left rear brake mounts.
The only concern is you have to have enough clearance between the seat and the door to reach the handle.
The handle could also be mounted on the floor in front of the seat with the cable routed to the centerr of the cross bar but that may be a little hard to reach.

[TX3100Guy]

Wow, you guys have given me three great options. After doing a bit od searching and watching YouTube videos, I find that I'm hardly the first guy to have this dilemma of wanting to eliminate the e-brake pedal.

I was so confused as to which way to go, a mechanical handle connected via cable to the existing brake mechanism, the Mico electric unit installed in the rear brake fluid line, or the E-Stopp linear actuator. I had an embarrassment of rich choices.

In the end, I eliminated the mechanical handle method as my interior is nearly finished and the thoughts of moving components to get everything to fit and still possibly not fit properly. But I was torn between the other two alternatives, so I purchased both and after examining them, will return one of them. I have high hope for the E-Stopp unit since it uses my existing brake cables. Also I hate working with brake lines. The endless chasing of drips and bleeding is a pain in the a$$.