what does this thing do?

[Tourettes]

This is in my 84 Gwag.It is under the dash, next to the 4x4 vac switch. My 83 doesnt have one.
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jaffinator/vwp?.dir=/84gwag&.src=ph&.dnm=whatswitch.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/jaffinator/lst%3f%26.dir=/84gwag%26.src=ph%26.view=t

I really havent messed with this switch much at all.
Therer are a few aluminum(?) tubes running into thew back of it. The lever moves to the right, but does not stay there. I am afraid to actuate the switch untill i know what it does, for fear of screwing something up!! :confused:

Any insight would be very helpful!!

[RustyJeep]

That there is your trailer brake box. That lever when moved to sideways will lock up your trailer's brakes and unlock them. I think that's how it works, anyways.

[Marc_01]

That there is your flux compasitor, turn your radio to what year you want to go back or forward to and when that swich is flicked at 85mph, you will go back to the future! lol :D

[Stuka]

Ya thats for trailor brakes. It makes it so you can turn themm on without using the trucks brakes. Our ford has one, very handle when on steep grades so you cann switch between truck brakes and trailor brakes.

[Tourettes]

oh umm and what do the aluminum tubes in it do?
i like mikes thought about it better!

[tomd]

i got one sorta like that on my wag and it has a tube going to the master cylinder

[Stuka]

yes one will goo too the master, when you apply the brakes it movves the switch, or you can move the switch on your own.

[Pete1111]

I have one that looks exactly like that and was considering asking some day what it was for! Is it an original Jeep part of aftermarket??

[mechanic58]

Well, looks like an automatic jacker offer thing-a-ma-bob or maybe it's just a neomaxizumed tampon remover. I'm stumped.

[ClarkGriswald]

Those have been around forever, if my memory serves me on those you can turn the knob and adjust where the trailer brakes come on in proportion to your normal vehicle brakes. You can move the lever by hand and actuate them (fun sometimes to scare people) and get a feel for how they feel when they activate, then turn that knob while using your normal brakes until you get a good mix.
Had one just like that in a pickup we used to tow horse trailors with.

[River Beast]

Hydraulic Brake Controller.. old style... I have one as well... as you apply the brakes, pressure is sent via the 'tubes' into the box and then sends the eletrical signal to the trailer... the knob is turned to increase or decrease sensativity of the trailer brakes..

It uses 121 gigawatts!!! :D

[badaboom]

Definitely for trailer brakes.
I have the exact same brake box.
It was in the J10 Truck when I purchased it back around 1987.