Rembrant Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 Curious if any of you have shortened park brake cables before, or modified them or added new end stops, etc? My '52 has a similar park brake setup as the Bullnose, except the front cable runs down the middle of the truck. The bracket where the two rear cables attach is on a crossmember instead of the driver's side frame like a Bullnose, but it is otherwise the same system. I'm running a Ford 8.8 rearend from a 2001 Explorer, and I ordered two left hand park brake cables, but they are too short. I can order two right side cables, but going by the measurements of them they will be way too long, so I want to shorten them. Cutting and shortening the outer tubing/sleeve is not problem and I can re-use the tubing ends, but I need to install new end stops on the cables...and not sure what to use. Anybody have any suggestions or ideas? Experience from past projects? Dorman has the ends...but I'm not sure how well they would work. Anybody use them before? Cable is 1/8" I guess. It measures 0.130" outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 I believe I used something like the first set on my friend's rear disc conversion on his 1995 F350. Let me look at my notes, pictures etc. Here is where I used them, to pull the parking brake lever on the GM calipers. This was done to use the original Ford drum brake cables to operate the parking brake system on the GM rear calipers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 Cory, I wouldn't suggest set screw type cable stops for a parking brake. I've tried those on motorcycle brakes before and if they can't hold up to hand pressure I can't imagine them staying for long on a parking brake where you have extra leverage and leg strength behind it. Would you consider solder on brass fittings? I used to make cables with a solder pot and a Flanders assortment kit. There's a guy on eBay that seems to be selling those parts in small lots. https://www.ebay.com/str/daysextremesports?_trksid=p2047675.m145687.l149086 Maybe something like this (if you drilled it out to 1/8, or 3.3mm). https://www.ebay.com/itm/142891918297?hash=item214505a3d9:g:sp8AAOSwEIFZxS0V What's the dimensions of the barrel end? What's the cable sheath length and free play? 8.8's came under dozens of vehicles from small cars to full sized pickups. It's quite possible that there's a different application that would fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 8.8's came under dozens of vehicles from small cars to full sized pickups. It's quite possible that there's a different application that would fit. Thanks for the suggestions Jim! Great ideas...I'm open to anything. I know the 8.8 was in just about every Ford vehicle made for many years, but this one has disk brakes, so that probably limits my choices as it has a special end on the axle end of the cables. If I knew what other vehicles came with rear disks, maybe I could find a cable that fit. (I may convert the rears to drum at some point, but that's another story. I'm going to try the disks first). I currently have two left cables that are 41.18" long. The right side cables are 77.16" long. A 48-50" cable would be just about right I think. It's a bit hard to tell since I have to route it like an "S" and then measure how much more I need. I'm thinking an extra 6", but 8" would likely be better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 8.8's came under dozens of vehicles from small cars to full sized pickups. It's quite possible that there's a different application that would fit. Thanks for the suggestions Jim! Great ideas...I'm open to anything. I know the 8.8 was in just about every Ford vehicle made for many years, but this one has disk brakes, so that probably limits my choices as it has a special end on the axle end of the cables. If I knew what other vehicles came with rear disks, maybe I could find a cable that fit. (I may convert the rears to drum at some point, but that's another story. I'm going to try the disks first). I currently have two left cables that are 41.18" long. The right side cables are 77.16" long. A 48-50" cable would be just about right I think. It's a bit hard to tell since I have to route it like an "S" and then measure how much more I need. I'm thinking an extra 6", but 8" would likely be better. Oh...by the way, Lokar makes an adjust cable kit to fit the 8.8 rear disks, but it's super spendy and would likely cost me $500, and there's no way I'm doing that lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 Cory, I wouldn't suggest set screw type cable stops for a parking brake. I've tried those on motorcycle brakes before and if they can't hold up to hand pressure I can't imagine them staying for long on a parking brake where you have extra leverage and leg strength behind it. Would you consider solder on brass fittings? I used to make cables with a solder pot and a Flanders assortment kit. There's a guy on eBay that seems to be selling those parts in small lots. https://www.ebay.com/str/daysextremesports?_trksid=p2047675.m145687.l149086 Maybe something like this (if you drilled it out to 1/8, or 3.3mm). https://www.ebay.com/itm/142891918297?hash=item214505a3d9:g:sp8AAOSwEIFZxS0V What's the dimensions of the barrel end? What's the cable sheath length and free play? 8.8's came under dozens of vehicles from small cars to full sized pickups. It's quite possible that there's a different application that would fit. Jim, You prompted me to search around some more, and I found this cable below: https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-23107-c660104.aspx It might be a couple inches longer than what I wanted, but like I said it's hard to measure. I bet this one will work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 Jim, You prompted me to search around some more, and I found this cable below: https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-23107-c660104.aspx It might be a couple inches longer than what I wanted, but like I said it's hard to measure. I bet this one will work. If the ~8 1/2" free length works well for you then I think we have a winner! I have a bunch of box ends floating around my glove box from "improvements" I've made to my truck. While I keep a bunch of records in one of those accordion envelopes, knowing what wiper blade, alternator belt (or brake cable) fits my truck today can be a real help when a problem arises. I hope they work out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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