87MJTIM Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 I am sure this has been covered previously, but I could not find it. First, my parking brake pedal is finally giving out. When I push down, the pedal lifts up a few teeth. Once it popped up completely when I closed the door. I DO NOT trust it to hold the truck. I ALWAYS leave it in gear when I get out. Has anyone made the conversion to the hand brake in the console? Besides the handle, is there any other parts to get from a donor? How is it fastened to the trans tunnel? Are the holes/bolts prefab in already? What cable length is needed? The long bed and short bed are too long. The XJ cable may be too short. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 They made Mjs with hand brakes in them . My 86 had it before I converted to a foot brake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 12, 2014 Author Share Posted January 12, 2014 I did not know that. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 I forget how it was mounted but you just need comanche rear cables and the only problem will be locating the front cable I might be able to get you a number but do some double checking to make sure it's right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 I think it's 52000865 mopar depending on bed length Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 When I took out the interior to check floor boards, clean carpet and tear into my dash to replace the evaporator and heater core, I put in a xj e-brake lever in my '88. I just located it on the tunnel relative my center console and drilled some holes thru the tunnel, fastening it down with cap screws and nylock nuts. I measured the length of cable I would need and found the one I needed at local parts store. Don't recall where I got it but it doesn't have to be exact length. Had it been useable, I could have used the existing foot pedal cable, it was long enough to snake back to the tunnel area to mate with the e-brake lever I was using. You do need to watch for extreme lever positions, meaning the e-brake pulled up all the way and the manual shifter in reverse. Mine touch in those positions, so I have some tweaking to do to fix that because it irks me every time I pull up on the e-brake and my shifter is in reverse. Just take your time and think it through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 I replaced the foot pedal on mine with one from my parts pile that matched close. It either came from a '77 AMX or Grand Wagoneer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 if you can't find an XJ donor easily about any will do. Just find a stand-alone handbrake with a mini console or boot so that the mechanism doesn't show & grab the cable from the handbrake. Measure and get cables that will run from your brakes to the front cable. Last one I put into a CJ was from a Rabbit IIRC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbyrambler Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 All you need is the lever mechanism - Been covered here on CC a few - http://comancheclub.com/topic/32740-alexias-1987-to-1997-comanche/ comes to mind - also on NAXJA & Pirate - Anyway I used Alexias build IIRC - Is simple - Don't need new cable - existing cable just makes a big loop under seat & done - Worst part for me was removing foot assembly - After that just a matter of cutting the cable anchor/attachment thingy offa the FB bracket - attach to lever - grind/cut btm of L assembly flat- ck position/alignment of lever & console & bolt/fasten everything - I used a 97+ console & lever - took approx 2 hr - I'ma no so fast or care to be anymore :wrench: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Do you have the 97+ dash with the console? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 12, 2014 Author Share Posted January 12, 2014 Do you have the 97+ dash with the console? Nope, all stock '87. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 All you need is the lever mechanism - Been covered here on CC a few - http://comancheclub.com/topic/32740-alexias-1987-to-1997-comanche/ comes to mind - also on NAXJA & Pirate - Anyway I used Alexias build IIRC - Is simple - Don't need new cable - existing cable just makes a big loop under seat & done - Worst part for me was removing foot assembly - After that just a matter of cutting the cable anchor/attachment thingy offa the FB bracket - attach to lever - grind/cut btm of L assembly flat- ck position/alignment of lever & console & bolt/fasten everything - I used a 97+ console & lever - took approx 2 hr - I'ma no so fast or care to be anymore :wrench: Do you remember where it was? I can't find it. :hmm: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexia Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 All you need is the lever mechanism - Been covered here on CC a few - http://comancheclub.com/topic/32740-alexias-1987-to-1997-comanche/ comes to mind - also on NAXJA & Pirate - Anyway I used Alexias build IIRC - Is simple - Don't need new cable - existing cable just makes a big loop under seat & done - Worst part for me was removing foot assembly - After that just a matter of cutting the cable anchor/attachment thingy offa the FB bracket - attach to lever - grind/cut btm of L assembly flat- ck position/alignment of lever & console & bolt/fasten everything - I used a 97+ console & lever - took approx 2 hr - I'ma no so fast or care to be anymore :wrench: Do you remember where it was? I can't find it. :hmm: http://comancheclub.com/topic/32740-alexias-1987-to-1997-comanche/page-4?do=findComment&comment=352849 I got the idea from someone else on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Thanks. I understand the cabling, no problem there, but the floor mounting of the hand brake lever assembly is what I have questions over. I have a full length console so I'll need the older 96 and below hand brake @$$'y. I also have two plates on the floor, pic below looking up. There are not pre-drilled holes for the hand brake, so what do I do? I can cut in some nutserts for the hand brake studs, but what about the floor plate(s)? I'm 2WD; no t-case. Will they help or just get in the way. Wish I still had one of my old XJs here so I wouldn't need to ask these dumb questions........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 There are some pretty decent pics and details in my Project Onyx build thread about installing a hand brake in a MJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Thanks Bo, but I want to mount the hand lever assembly as it's done in the XJ: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 OP Tim, sorry for stealing your thread, but figured it would help both of us. Found this writeup - it will answer your questions. It did for me. http://comancheclub.com/topic/38053-early-xj-hand-brake-in-mj/ Thanks for posting that Ed. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted January 12, 2014 Author Share Posted January 12, 2014 OP Tim, sorry for stealing your thread, but figured it would help both of us. Found this writeup - it will answer your questions. It did for me. http://comancheclub.com/topic/38053-early-xj-hand-brake-in-mj/ Thanks for posting that Ed. :cheers: No problem. After the long thread re: 86 park brake recall, I started experiencing the issues. I figured I wasn't the first. I was curious if someone had made the switch to a hand brake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Sadly, I too think I'm going to take this route. The dealerships likely have no parts and to be honest, I've got some other crap going on in my personal life that I just don't have time to bicker back and forth with Chrysler, and their stealerships to make them do right by the safety recall that is still in affect on my '86. And I was really looking forward to making that section of my center console into cup holders... :fs1: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpace6a Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Sadly, I too think I'm going to take this route. The dealerships likely have no parts and to be honest, I've got some other crap going on in my personal life that I just don't have time to bicker back and forth with Chrysler and their stealerships to make them do right by the safety recall that is still in affect on my '86. And I was really look forward to making that section of my center console into cup holders... :fs1: 97+ console upgrade :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 I thought about that and may end up doing that. It's just that I have two pretty pristine pre-97 consoles already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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