Longer Parking/Emergency Brake Cables?

[Root Moose]

I need to investigate longer parking/emergency brake cables for a Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ).

Any pointers on what to try? I'd like to stick with the style of cable that connects to the ZJ/WJ/KJ style parking brake but will consider the other XJ style cable too.

I need something at least a couple feet longer than OEM ZJ. I settled on ZJ cables while forgetting that the XJ dist block for the e-brake is offset to the driver's side. Got to get across the truck somehow.

TIA

 

[kbrousseau]

Chris...If you can get me some measurements I can look through the cable specs at work and see if I can come up with something for you. I may even have an old catalogue you can take home and look through at your leisure.

Keith
:beer:

 

[Root Moose]

Per usual Keith, you rock!

I tried to find a decent picture in the ZJ FSM but came up empty.

Here's what I have...

Axle end:

Body end:

Cable is about 42" long. I need something much longer if it exists. Like twice as long.

I'd like to stick with the type of end shown above as it works with the Wilwood spot caliper nicely. I think KJs use this style of cable, not sure about WJ/XK/WK. Dodge?

I know guys are using XJ and YJ cables with the other style (drum brake) end but I want to avoid more fangling if I can.

Thanks bud!

 

[kbrousseau]

In the pics there is very little cable sticking out of the conduit. Does your new cable have to have this setup or can there be a short conduit with lots of bare cable. Am I making any sense?

Keith

 

[kbrousseau]

I think I found one that will work for you. It fits left rear on a 2000 Chev Silverado 4wd ext cab 4 door. Part # 95491. It is 82 11/16" long overall with a conduit length of 72 7/16". I have one here in stock and looking at it, it looks alot like the ones in your pic. They have one in the Almonte Napa store if you want to stop by on your way home and have a look. Or I could have them ship it to CP store if that works better for you.

Keith
:beer:

 

[Root Moose]

Thanks!

I'll swing by the Almonte store on the way home.

 

[Mini-T]

One other option would be to go to Inline Tube or Classic Tube. They will make custom e-brake cables to order in steel or SS.

 

[Root Moose]

I picked up the cable on Friday AM and it has worked out very well. You know how particular I am and I'm very happy.

I cut five or six turns off the spring to get the tension right and that was all that was needed. The spring itself is heavier and of a thicker wire diameter than the ZJ cable but I think I prefer it. It is not inclined to bend versus straight compressing. I also like how it meets my welded on holding bracket as opposed to the ZJ's spring riding inside the clip end thingy (<-- technical term).

The rest of the cable's ciritcal measurements were identical to the ZJ cable it replaced.

Thanks again!

 

[kbrousseau]

Glad to hear it worked out so well.

 

[Root Moose]

Keith, can you get the specs for the opposite side cable? I have the cables run into the ebrake housing and the amount of "stick out" doesn't match the ZJ cable. There is no way to set the tension on the ebrake as a result.

Can you look at the other side cable from the Chev donor? How long is the cable? I need something between 24-32" I think.

I guess I should have looked closer at the specs with respect to the total length versus conduit length. If you have something that is identical to the Chev cable (I really like the spring on it) that is ~30" long with a total length to conduit length difference of 10-4/16" that would be perfect.

We are getting fiddly now. If you'd prefer and can come in and surf the book for the details.

I suppose worst case I can get an identical long cable and coil it up under the body.

TIA

 

[kbrousseau]

I will check it out tomorrow when I get to work. Not real busy these days so stuff like this gives me something to do. You know what they say about idle hands and all!
:beer:

Keith

 

[kbrousseau]

The opposite cable to the one you already have is a whopping 100"+ long. The closest one I have come up with is 28 9/16" long overall with a conduit length of 20 11/16". It has similar ends as the one you have but has a lighter spring unfortunately. The Napa part # is 95335 and it is from a 98-03 Chevy Venture.