The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts parking brakes --foot or hand operated

this may be a old question, but i did not find it in search mode. what determined which kind of e-brake these truck had?? i am talking about the ad,s 47-55
my 1950 6400 has the foot and my 1956 bus has the trans-brake.

midnight auto parts,

I always figured it was the size, or series of the truck. The 1 1/2 ton and up usually had the parking brake on the rear of the transmission...my 4400 is this way.

I'm very surprised that your 6400 has a foot operated parking brake...maybe there is a different recipe for what gets which kind of brake.

Stuart

The one on the tranny holds about 30 times better, that I know.

Some of the 1 tons had the tranny brake. My 1958 does. It's a slightly different brake setup than the larger trucks had on the back of their SM420, but similar in concept.

I thought everything larger than the 1 tons had the tranny brake, so I'm as supprised as you.

I see no reason one couldn't make a cable bracket and operate the transmission brake with a foot peddle if one wished. All three of my trucks have hand operated brakes at the back of the transmission.

My two 48 1 1/2 tons have the trans mounted handle but has a cable that runs to the rear brakes. My 54 1 1/2 and 2 tons have the driveshaft brake. For parking, the driveshaft brake works good, but in an emergency, I can see the rear brake style being better. Changing a rear tire for instance....
Scott

My 1954 1 Ton Stake came from the factory with the foot e-brake as I believe they all did. I plan on changing it to the propeller shaft brake with the leftover parts from my 1954 2 Ton "Big Blue". I too agree the propeller shaft brake holds much better. My only concern is I'll have to modify the drive shaft (will be done by a professional), not a big deal for the extra holding power and simple mechanism. Has anybody else made this change?

How about making that lever work both brakes?

Probably wouldn't be that tough to fabricate but I really think the propeller shaft brake holds better.

Could you guys post a photo of the trans brake. My trucks is long gone - I have no emergency brake, trying to come up with one. My guess is it went where my Brownie was, but theres no sign of it anymore, thanks.

Hotshoe36,
Worse case scenario.... lost brakes, broken u-joint, coming down Pikes Peak. That would be a scarry thought.

not that great of pics, but this is what it looks like on my 56 4400... http://community.webshots.com/album/561217133LBgwym?vhost=community

glamis4x4 thanks much for the photo's, there isnt nothing left of that brake on my truck - but now I know what it looks like, thanks again.

my pleasure!