Newbie here - Not a truck but needing Explorer Parking Brake Help

[BDeTienne]

Hello All! First off let me say I hope you don't mind me bringing this here. While I do not have a Ranger this website was very helpful in helping me find the correct 8.8 rear for my application.

I own a 1967 Cougar with a fresh 347 and TKX 5 speed. Installed an Explorer 8.8 a few years ago when the original 8" broke. While the rear install went off pretty much without a hitch, the parking brake system was never installed. Finally decided it was time to get the parking brake functional when the car rolled over the "stop" i had behind the wheel and down my driveway last week. Damn near killed myself trying to get back into it and stop it before it hit the neighbors truck. Hoping that the crew of informed users here can point me in the right direction to get this thing working properly. I have nothing. No cables, etc. so I am going to need everything. Pic below is before/after I installed the CalTracs and the Calvert split mono-leaf rear springs on the 8.8.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Brian

 

[Ranger850]

That car is beautiful.
Is auto-phelia a thing? Because I might have it.
Good luck, I hope you get your answers you're looking for.
There is a green Cougar like this running around Tallahassee, but not nearly as mint as yours.

 

[DILLARD000]

Don't think anyone will mind your questions on such a beauty.
Yep, best get ParkingBrake in order before you wreck that sweat ride.

 

[Uncle Gump]

So I moved this to the brake forum to put it in the right area.

Maybe start with what type brakes you have... disc or drum?

Also... do you have the driver operated controls in place?

If it's a drum brake system... maybe consider a disc brake conversion. Even one that uses Eldorado calipers. Someone just posted a link to one kit that came with cables.

 

[don4331]

I suppose it's best not to assume he has Explorer discs as there was one year that the Explorer did come with drum (which might look more authentic on Cougar)

Either way, OP will want to start with the Explorer parking brake cables for the year of axle installed. Then we will want OP to pull the drums/rotors to see what is under the covers (picture worth 1k words).

 

[BDeTienne]

Thanks for all the compliments. It is a nice driver but far from perfect. That's kind of the attraction. Don't go into panic mode whenever anyone gets near it.
Anyway...
Rear is in fact a disc brake rear and I put everything new when I put it together. Even new backing plates because the originals were damaged at the salvage. As I said in my original post I have none of the e brake components.

 

[dvdswan]

LOVE THOSE COUGARS!!!!!

 

[Uncle Gump]

So... the rotor hat is also the brake drum. How much of the hardware inside the hat did you keep?

You mind find this article helpful...

Explorer 8.8 Rear Disc Brake Conversion - The Ranger Station

Before You Begin: The disc brake conversion described in the article below was performed on a stock 1994 Ford Explorer Sport. Therefore, this article does not take into consideration any modifications or different model years. The most difficult part … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[BDeTienne]

Thanks for the link. It's been several years but if my memory isn't failing me I replaced everything inside the rotor hat.

 

[sgtsandman]

It sounds like you just need the cables then. I would try to match up the cables from an Explorer with a wheel base close to what your car has. It might take some fabrication to get it all to work together since the rear end isn’t stock.