What is it!?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jakeslim · 10-16-2004, 11:42 PM

Ok, in my 69 k5, there is something with a knob/lever below the steering column. Today as I started and backed it up on its own power for the first time since buying it, I noticed the knob moving when I pushed the brakes. What is it. It looks like its from the 60's or 70's .

thanks,
jakeslim

sdkid · 10-16-2004, 11:44 PM

Is it a separate box under the dash? Could be a trailer brake control unit.

72 CustomCamper · 10-16-2004, 11:45 PM

Sounds like it's a trailer brake controler. It's used when you have a traier with electric brakes on it...

Chuck

jakeslim · 10-16-2004, 11:51 PM

Its a separate box, abot 4" wide and 1" high with a lever. The lever will not budge at all, but it did move when I pushed my brakes. What would that have to do with a trailer and how would it help electric trailer brakes. I thought it might be some sort of brake assist or something, but then again, have no clue

sdkid · 10-16-2004, 11:55 PM

Probly has a line going to the master cyl. Has maybe 2 wires going into it. Push on the brakes and the fluid pressure causes a switch in the control unit to close. Sends power to the trailer wiring plug.

jakeslim · 10-17-2004, 12:09 AM

thanks! I'll probably remove since I'm not pulling a trailer.

Brainchild · 10-17-2004, 01:29 AM

Yeah I think that's almost a option when you buy any old truck here in MO.I have a pile of those things I've taken off.

*Drop Top 71* · 10-17-2004, 05:02 AM

They're so you can match the pull of the brakes on the trailer and tow vehichle so when you step on the brake they're both (vehichle and trailer) even and slow down at the same rate! You dont want your truck/trailer braking one more so then the other.

Example: While working we had to pull X tons of grapes on a utility trailer. We unloaded the fruit and forgot to set the grab of the brakes back DOWN after the fruit was off. Imagine what happend as soon as we lightly tapped the brakes on the way back, and the trailer brakes were still set for multiple tons...instead of non(no load)! Major tire smokage! The truck(F350) barely slowwed, while all four trailer tires locked up. Oooops

Anyways i got one stuck on my blazer too and highly doubt i'm ever going to pull anything so big it'll have trailer brakes. So what's the cleanest way to take one out and deal with the wires etc??

Woody1 · 10-17-2004, 10:14 PM

I don't know the cleanest way to remove one but I was thinking about one the other day. I had borrowed the neighbor's trailer and pulled my JD 650 tractor with a box blade about 100 miles (interstate driving). Also had my Yamaha Big Bear 400 in the back of the truck and a bunch of other heavy stuff in the truck and trailer and got to thinking it, "It would be nice to be able to hook up the trailer brakes on this thing sence I'm still running Drum Breaks".

I would like to have a set up if one of you would like to part with one. Please let me know....

Thanks,
Woody1 aka Woody

silvertonguedevil · 10-17-2004, 10:26 PM

DON'T TOUCH IT!!!! It's the ejector seat lever!

10-16-2004, 11:42 PM	#1
jakeslim Premium Level Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 829	What is it!?? Ok, in my 69 k5, there is something with a knob/lever below the steering column. Today as I started and backed it up on its own power for the first time since buying it, I noticed the knob moving when I pushed the brakes. What is it. It looks like its from the 60's or 70's . thanks, jakeslim

10-16-2004, 11:45 PM	#3
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	Sounds like it's a trailer brake controler. It's used when you have a traier with electric brakes on it... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

10-17-2004, 01:29 AM	#7
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	Yeah I think that's almost a option when you buy any old truck here in MO.I have a pile of those things I've taken off. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

10-17-2004, 05:02 AM	#8
Drop Top 71 I don't get the hint that banned means banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Where the Bomb Dank Grows Posts: 43	They're so you can match the pull of the brakes on the trailer and tow vehichle so when you step on the brake they're both (vehichle and trailer) even and slow down at the same rate! You dont want your truck/trailer braking one more so then the other. Example: While working we had to pull X tons of grapes on a utility trailer. We unloaded the fruit and forgot to set the grab of the brakes back DOWN after the fruit was off. Imagine what happend as soon as we lightly tapped the brakes on the way back, and the trailer brakes were still set for multiple tons...instead of non(no load)! Major tire smokage! The truck(F350) barely slowwed, while all four trailer tires locked up. Oooops Anyways i got one stuck on my blazer too and highly doubt i'm ever going to pull anything so big it'll have trailer brakes. So what's the cleanest way to take one out and deal with the wires etc?? Last edited by Drop Top 71; 10-17-2004 at 05:05 AM.

10-17-2004, 10:26 PM	#10
silvertonguedevil Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Seaside, Oregon Posts: 1,789	DON'T TOUCH IT!!!! It's the ejector seat lever! __________________ -Greg My Chevy trucks, past and present: 1962 C10 SB Fleetside 1964 C10 LB Fleetside BBW 1966 C10 SB Fleetside 1966 C10 SB Fleetside BBW 1968 C10 SB Fleetside 1971 C10 LB Fleetside 1971 C10 SB Fleetside 1972 C10 SB Fleetside Cheyenne 1972 C10 SB Fleetside Cheyenne Super 1972 C10 LB Fleetside Cheyenne Super 1974 C20 Cheyenne 1979 K5 Blazer Cheyenne 1982 K10 SB Fleetside Custom Deluxe 1982 K10 SB Fleetside Scottsdale 1986 C10 SB Fleetside Silverado 2008 Silverado 1500 4x4

10-16-2004, 11:44 PM	#2
sdkid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pierre SD Posts: 1,533	Is it a separate box under the dash? Could be a trailer brake control unit.

10-16-2004, 11:51 PM	#4
jakeslim Premium Level Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 829	Its a separate box, abot 4" wide and 1" high with a lever. The lever will not budge at all, but it did move when I pushed my brakes. What would that have to do with a trailer and how would it help electric trailer brakes. I thought it might be some sort of brake assist or something, but then again, have no clue

10-16-2004, 11:55 PM	#5
sdkid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pierre SD Posts: 1,533	Probly has a line going to the master cyl. Has maybe 2 wires going into it. Push on the brakes and the fluid pressure causes a switch in the control unit to close. Sends power to the trailer wiring plug.

10-17-2004, 12:09 AM	#6
jakeslim Premium Level Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 829	thanks! I'll probably remove since I'm not pulling a trailer.

10-17-2004, 10:14 PM	#9
Woody1 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 3	I don't know the cleanest way to remove one but I was thinking about one the other day. I had borrowed the neighbor's trailer and pulled my JD 650 tractor with a box blade about 100 miles (interstate driving). Also had my Yamaha Big Bear 400 in the back of the truck and a bunch of other heavy stuff in the truck and trailer and got to thinking it, "It would be nice to be able to hook up the trailer brakes on this thing sence I'm still running Drum Breaks". I would like to have a set up if one of you would like to part with one. Please let me know.... Thanks, Woody1 aka Woody

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