Parking Brake cable lengths - C20 questions ??

[Green Machine]

After looking for some new rear parking brake cables to replace the old stuck ones on a 71 C20 - I have a few questions. This all relates to a coil spring rear long box (133 wb) setup.

1. It appears if you have a turbo 400 (big block ?) the cables are shorter ?.

2. Turbo 350 etc seems to use longer cables ?.

3. Why are they different lengths and does that mean that the the clips on the trailing arms are in different spots depending on the tranny ?


We are swapping in a Dana 60 from a 72 Suburban with big block th400 with coil rear into a 71 C20 truck with small block to replace the old eaton. I think if I get cables the same length as what is on the "new" rear they will be too short for my trailing arm clips, or not ???

Thanks

[bartstoy]

I might be able to answer your questions if you would clarify, your last paragraph. Is the "new" the donor? I have the th400 on my big block and the parking brake cables were a problem. I had to move clips because had to move the tranny support. Of course mine is a '69 C20 so that might be the difference.

[Green Machine]

Yes the "new" rear is the donor dana 60 from a 72 big block suburban. I have the rear here and the cables from it but the truck is in storage until it warms up enough to work on it. Cables on the old rear end are stuck too.

[bartstoy]

Ok, on mine the brake cable is a 2 part assembly, with connectors just forward of the rear wheels. After the connectors comes the brackets, on mine they were welded to the frame. I was able to reuse from this point back. So my cable replacement was from the equalizers, the "y" point at the front of the truck. I was able to adjust at both of the connectors. While doing it I thought that if the cables were longer the job would have been easier. If you can "unstuck" the cables on the old you might be able to get some measurements. The rear parking cable is considered a part of the axle assembly.

[ChevLoRay]

www.inlinetube.com has brake cables, and they're specific to wheelbase, engine and transmission, coils/leaf springs, etc. You can get them in stainless or not. Catalogs are free.