E-Brake 101

The emergency brake setup took me a while to figure out. This is what I finally came up with. I had a rear axle from a 97’ Jeep Cherokee. I got the left and right e-brake cables but none of the connections to the front. I have my original e-brake handle which previously activated a transmission shaft brake.

I connected the Jeep cables and welded a steel tube under the cross-member for them to run through. I then used some cable clamps and created a loop at the end of each one. They are asymmetric due to the cabling having to run to the passenger side of the transmission where the e-brake handle is set.

I cut a piece of angle iron about 7” wide, drilled a left, right, and forward center hole and rear spring return hole. The Jeep cables were attached as seen in the picture.

The original handle was mounted to the floor of the cab using a bracket made from steel plate. I welded and bolted it to the removable cover over the transmission. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures. I kept the extension rod and used 3/16” cable and cable clamps to create a cable to span the distance from the extension rod to the angle iron cable attachment in the rear. The spring is needed to help return the handle to the normal position. I had to fiddle with the tension but on the street I can lock up the rear wheels. If I ever take it out I would probably add an extension under the e-brake handle to increase the throw of the lever. Currently you have to about bury the handle into the seat for it to activate, but it works and keeps the close to original look of the truck!

He's got a BED!

I have been busting my tail lately to get this project done. I have been having a blast. Jessie continues to be an awesome support. We went to the local Boise Roadster show on our Friday night date and she saw a cool 55 Ford truck she liked and a 66 Fastback Mustang.

I have now mounted the bed. Each of the side had about 20 holes drilled into them that required plug welding each of them. There were areas that had bondo for some unknown reason. I ground it off in some areas to weld and didn't bother to put it back so cosmetically it is a bit ugly but hey, it's my truck, not yours!

A traditional bed is made of the two sides, front cap, tailgate, and multiple solid wood slats separated and bolted together with chrome strips and stainless steel hardware. Although I love woodworking, the cost alone got me thinking about this project. It will never be a perfectly restored truck and for sure will never be a high dollar show truck. I want a daily driver that I don't have to worry much about. So I decided to bolt it together with a piece of plywood. Later I will likely cover the plywood with tongue and groove hardwood flooring and coat it all with epoxy. It will eventually rot but it won't be that hard to replace.

The pictures show how I got it onto the frame. Initially my wife and kids helped me hoist it up so I could mark the main frame support holes that needed drilled. They went to bed, I drilled the holes, then manhandled it up on the frame using my muscle and the engine hoist.