Converting Foot parking brake to Hand parking brake?

[joecrosby]

Hey everyone, this is the first time I've posted on TRS so I apologize if this isn't the in the correct location or if this question has already been answered.

I am wondering if anyone has removed their floor or foot parking brake (whatever it's called) and installed a hand parking brake, like in a car. I have a 1996 Ranger STX, 4x4, manual. What would this sort of job need to be completed? I wouldn't imagine it would be all too difficult.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Downey]

my question for you is why?

what are you trying to accomplish?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I can think of one reason off the top of my head.....rallying.

 

[Die.Fledermaus]

I personally hate the floor push e-brake on a manual trans vehicle I off road often.
What I find happens is on trickery terrain the hood release gets deployed causing further obstruction of forward view.

A proper hand actuated/released cable e-brake is on my wish list also

 

[simpler=better]

Find one in a junkyard on a car, and cut it out. Jeeps have them too.

Cut a hole in the floor, and mount it-look out for the transmission/driveshaft rubbing.

Then just get a custom cable made up for it, or make one yourself. Shouldn't be terribly hard

 

[Die.Fledermaus]

I've only seen two retail that sound like usable project donors, the Lokar street rod ilk and and what I assume is a knock off of a 550 assembly

http://store.vintagespeed.com.tw/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=39&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=80

I'm bucket seat and while not in a hurry to remove the center console am on the look out for a proper adaptable handle.

 

[martin]

Hydraulic aftermarket handbrakes are also available. they're very effective but not cheap. One or two of the guys on here used the handbrake from an aerostar, but that was a few years ago.

 

[Rangurr]

If you're wanting to keep it cheap, you'd probably be best off playing with a handbrake assy out of a donor Cherocar - they should be fairly similar in terms of the cable length so you may be able to find a way to make it work. Personally, I don't think you need it unless you plan on, as stated above, rallying the thing; but hey, to each his own. Post pics if you decide to play around with and try to make it work

 

[Downey]

also winstar min vans have them too they would have a boot and everything.

 

[simpler=better]

If you want a center console WJ grand cherokees (99-04, "rounder" bodies than the old bricks) have what you're looking for