J-20 E-brakes

[Rivendel]

The PO of my J truck hung an e-brake cable on a stump and ripped the cables out. He just removed everything and never bothered to replace it. All I've got is the pedal, cable from pedal to crossmember and about 3 feet to the middle section of cable. everything from there back to the drums has been removed, everything inside the drums also.
What kind of pain is it going to be to get things back in order?

[Ed Jack]

I can't remember if you'll have to drop the gas tank to get the cable in on a J-truck. I don't believe you do. (someone can correct me if I'm wrong) Beyond having to drop the tank, if necessary, it's not much more trouble than a brake shoe replacement.

The hard part may actually be getting the right cables.

I'd say go for it, it should be less than a half day job.

[dnixon]

Okay I have a wag and I just put in J10 cables from a pickup in a junkyyard... putting them in I believe is easier then taking them out.. the only problem with removing them is that on the inside of the drum backing plate where the hardline cable enters the drum there is a little locking mechanisim that won't allow you to pull it out.. what I and others have found to pinch together this lcoking mech. is a hose clamp.. you slide this over and tighten it down then tap out cable. It takes alittle practice but you'll understand what I am saying once you see it.. other then that you will just have to take apart the brakes.

OH YEAH a big one here.. since you said there is nothing left, there are these little keepers that hold the hardline (the one that you will be removing from another vehicle) attached to your frame. Your frame should have a bracket of some sort with a hole in it, these keepers will hold you hardline in that hole on the frame.. directly after that hole your hardling will connect to the U shaped line. which then connects to your pedal thorugh another line. well take these keepers too is what I am trying to say you'll need them... good luck and if I wasn't clear you can email me at dnixon@dekonia.com

[Rivendel]

Thanks. I've been working on my son's 75 for the last week or so and I'm going to get back on this project. Too many projects not enough time!!

[Doug B.]

I have noticed on some of the earlier Gladiators that the e-brake is hooked up to the tranny.....did they hook up to both the rear drums and the transmission? Anyways, check out this website for some of the e-brake parts you might need. You just have to decipher what is what since it contains all of the AMC/Kaiser makes and models with vague discriptions.
AMC Jeep Parts (http://www.amcjeepparts.com/index.htm)
Good luck....

[74j20]

I have a '74 J20 and the cable has two short, covered pieces that attacht to the rear wheels..these pieces are each about two feet long and attach to a welded bracket on the frame..the unshielded cable end attaches to an open cable assembly that is like a "Y" ...goes from the end of the shielded cable that attached to the e Brake handle or mechanism with an end that has a bolt that is the adjustment..if you like I can take some digital pictures and send them to you...it is kind of hard to describe...let me know

Charley

[dnixon]

The covered lines were what i was saying was a Hardline cable...

[2j20's]

j10 and j20 is different the 20 has 2 screws that holes a plate for the cable.74 is also different from my 76 on the 20s cable mounts in two different place's at the front.