Late Model Rear Axle - Parking Brake Differences

[mdsims]

Alright, collective MUD knowledge.

I'm trying to dial in my e-brake setup on a pretty mixed-breed 1971 FJ40 (11/70) running a split case.
Rear axle is from a late model FJ40, semi float w/drums w/integral parking brake
Current hand brake is the 1971 dash-mounted pull handle which, from a healthy dose of nostalgia, I'm pretty attached to.
I also have the handbrake, bucket, cable out of a 1988 FJ62 I parted, will use that as a last resort.

I hear the T handle doesn't have enough leverage/travel, but I plan on spending a weekend making it work. It worked fine on my dads mini trucks, and on my Tacoma, so some research, hacking, and maybe a lever bracket under the tub should solve that issue. That will be for future posts.

The root of my question now comes down to the correct cable assembly for the axle I have. I've see a number or references to two or three different options for the late model cruisers.
1/1979 - 7/1980
8/1980 - 10/1982
10/1982 - 10/1984

Can anyone speak to the differences between these cables, is it something on the axle end, attachment points, or the attachment point further up the cable toward the cab, pivot point?

@orangefj45, do you recall what year rig those Minden, NV axles came from?

 

[orangefj45]

The late e-brake cables won't work. They will not reach the dash and the way the cable attaches to the ebrake handle is very different.

You'll need a custom set of cables.
"California Push-Pull" in Paradise CA can make the cables for you once you figure it all out.

The leverage and travel required are your biggest hinderances. But I think you're on the right track with the mini truck idea. Heck, the cables and handle from a mini might work for you. Worth a shot.

Fwiw, there are no difference in the rear axles other than gearing and drum brake style. It's either the early style with dual wheel cylinders or the later single cylinder units.
On FJ6x cruisers there are 2 different ways the cables are retained to the housing near the third member but the brakes are all identical.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Cruiser Brothers

 

[cult45]

We use a HZJ79 cable down here when doing handbrake rear axle conversions. It is the correct length on an FJ45 from the factory floor-mounted handle to the rear axle and right type of end at the axle. Will probably too long for your 40, but perhaps a FJ/FZJ/PZJ/BJ-70/71/73/74 cable?

Also, on early Holden's, the under-dash pull handle operated a drum brake-intergrated handbrake similar to the 40. Going back a few years, but there was essentially a piece of flat bar, bolted on one to the body and could pivot, then the cable attached at one end and linked to the handle on the dash. Then further along the flat bar [not sure where, perhaps even on the other side of where the cable attaches], there was a small pulley wheel and the cable that went to the rear drums running through it. The pulley was to centre it.

 

[Dynosoar]

I am trying to do the same thing, with the exception that I am using an FJ62 axle. My Hilux utilizes a bell crank (as a torque multiplier?) to address the configuration. I plan on going to the junk yard and getting the same (or similar) parts to adapt to my 40. If someone else has figured this out already please post your solution.

Dyno

 

[Living in the Past]

Need to contact Kevin @Tools R Us he has done this using two cables with a lever in the middle to get the leverage needed for the under the dash handle. Believe it was using a 60 series axle under a 40 series but would still use the same design.

 

[SuperDuperCruizer]

Is the bell crank the only different part for the rear axle parking brake setup of a pickup and Land Cruiser? Do both bell cranks have the same bolt pattern to the backing plates? This could potentially make retrofitting the earlier under the dash handbrake much easier.

I am trying to do the same thing, with the exception that I am using an FJ62 axle. My Hilux utilizes a bell crank (as a torque multiplier?) to address the configuration. I plan on going to the junk yard and getting the same (or similar) parts to adapt to my 40. If someone else has figured this out already please post your solution.

Dyno

 

[Dynosoar]

The bell crank I was referring too is not on the backing plate but centrally located in the system.

 

[cult45]

My Hilux utilizes a bell crank (as a torque multiplier?) to address the configuration.

This is what I was trying to say but you put it in comprehensible English. Looks factory! And for more leverage one could extend the length.

 

[mtquivr]

Could you use a linear actuator? They have various stroke lengths and have force ratings of several hundred pounds. You could put one at the end of the cable and do away with the t-handle/lever.

 

[SuperDuperCruizer]

I have a bit of hesitation using a linear actuator. I had a master cylinder crack while driving which eliminated my ability to brake the truck via brake pedal. I yanked the parking brake, down shifted and stopped within inches of an accident. With the cable setup, I can "feel" if there's any binding or lack off it to alert me to any required maintenance. I'm leaning towards the pickup/hilux setup to retrofit the older style parking brake on a 40-series.

For my 40-series project, I'm trying to move the parking brake from the stock floor location to the position on the dash like the earlier 40's.

I'm hoping to free up the opening in the floor for the cable locking levers from a 60-series to avoid any cutting.

 

[KY Longhunter]

I have an ‘81 FJ40 with e-brake lever on the trans hump and 2 bellcranks on the rear drum backing plates, used to lock the rear brakes.

I now have a ‘79 with e-brake lever on the trans-hump but drums don’t appear to have the bellcranks ???

Did the ‘79 e-brake cable run to a drum brake setup on the driveshaft?

 

[1911]

Did the ‘79 e-brake cable run to a drum brake setup on the driveshaft?

Yes.

 

[SW20]

Yes.

1979 and 1980

 

[KY Longhunter]

Thanks for feedback. I’ve got an ‘86 FJ60 rear axle.

I wonder if I could swap axles then modify the cable setup?