Load sensing brake valve thing? Lift kits?

[amaurer]

What does the load sensing brake valve thing do thats attached to the rear axle on a BJ73?

And should I do anything with it after installing lift springs?

 

[amaurer]

Doh... shoulda searched first.

I'm having a problem with unpredictable brakes - they've never been great on my 73; my 42 with 4 wheel drums can lock up the tires but no way on the 73. Lately the pedal has been behaving strangely - sometimes it feels normal, sometimes it feels like there is extra dead space at the top of the travel. It seems like this occurs every day in the same parts of my commute which makes me think the angle of the road or truck might play a role.

I never adjusted the valve, I'll give it a try, or bypass it.

 

[Ron R]

I guess you've found the necessary info allready, but just to make sure....
If you've lifted the rig you should extend the adjusting piece that connects the arm coming from the LSPV (Load Sensing Proportional Valve) to the axle with the amount the rig has been lifted.
So if the rig has been lifted (measuring from axle to frame rail) 2 inches, the adjuster should be extended by 2 inches. Another method is - but you can do this only for fairly small lifts like 2 inches - is to bend the arm towards the axle.
It makes quite a difference in braking capacity, I can tell you. Don't ask me how I found out.

 

[Eric Winkworth]

It's a double edge sword though on a SWB truck the last thing you want is your rear breaks locking up in a slippery condition when you need to STOP! The truck can rotate so quickly it's scary, and this from a guy that spent his teenage years drifting every corner he took on snowy, icy days in a long box 2wd pickup...

I'm not saying don't adjust it, I would just think if you deal with winters, I would leave it a bit shorter then you think it "needs" to be... You always have the ebrake handle at your side!