New location for parking brake lever

[thescifiguy]

I want to change my GT's parking brake lever location, ideally, to an under the dash style location or elsewhere. That would allow a much more useful center console arrangement to be installed(cupholders, armrest, storage, etc.).

Has anyone done this? Suggestions?

[jerseydave]

Chock Blocks!!!!!!!!

[thescifiguy]

Yuk! Yuk!

Maybe I could toss an anchor out the window?

[LASERMAN]

Interesting idea.

You could always make it a "remote control" function.

You could make a matching "mirror image" of the headlight handle, and mount it on the other side.

You should be able to advance it a little from it's stock location.

Just throwing ideas out there

[opelnut10]

Sometime ago I seen an ad for a electric brake lock that was activated by a solenoid base on the same principal as a line lock. It was activated by a push-pull switch and was wired in to work with the ignition switch off (had it's own circuit) I have never seen one in action but it looked like a good answer to the problem of relocating the E-Brake by engaging the brake electrically instead on mechanically.

[anastosmotors]

check this out: MICO, Inc. : Available Products
Pete

[thescifiguy]

Originally Posted by LASERMAN You could make a matching "mirror image" of the headlight handle, and mount it on the other side.

Hey that might be the simplest/best solution. My project car has had the headlights removed and covered over and small halogen ones molded in. The handle is now useless. The interior is currently stripped to metal so now's a great time to shift it forward. I could just shift the whole brake mechanism forward. I use an automatic so there's no risk of bumping into it from shifting all the time. I could mount it on either side depending on which side has more space or a better alignment with the yolk. I might even be able to simply lengthen the adjusting bolt, maybe with a bend in it somewhere to dodge stuff, all the way back to it's original location. Since it's an auto, it'll probably never get used, except to pass New Jersey inspection. I think this'll be the cheapest, simplest, least intrusive, best way to go.

Great! Now with the whole tray area free of anything, plus the minimal movement of the auto lever, I can create a radical center console area. I'll have room for cup holders, loose change, electric window switches, GPS screen, cell phone holder, 8-track storage, beer cooler, fax machine........

[heimue]

Originally Posted by anastosmotors check this out: MICO, Inc. : Available Products Pete

from 1,500 - 2,000 $ ... these guys are crazy

I like the idea with the headlight handle!

Dieter

[Redskinsjbs]

When it comes to what can also be know as the emergency brake, I'd prefer to stay within the lines of KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid!!!). That being said, all of this solenoid mumbo jumbo is just more to break, so I would think that leaving it all manual would be best.

I like the idea of moving the lever to the headlamp location if you are no longer going to have the rotating lights. Just be sure to do at least a bit of math before you set off. The original handle coupled with the mechanism it is attatched to provides quite a bit of leverage for the pulling of the cable. It is also in a position where one would really be able to 'yank' on it in an emergency. I would try some tests and see how much force you can generate on the headlamp handle, and if that is enough to satisfy the safety factor.

Remember, longer lever = more torque and X can be traded for T (Gearing to amplify torque)

[SpringGT]

Originally Posted by thescifiguy I want to change my GT's parking brake lever location, ideally, to an under the dash style location or elsewhere. That would allow a much more useful center console arrangement to be installed(cupholders, armrest, storage, etc.). Has anyone done this? Suggestions?

Get one from an old Porsche 944 or 924S. They mount to the left of the drivers seat.

[thescifiguy]

I agree that the leverage and strength aspect must be maintained. I like the idea of moving the entire stock parking lever assembly forward to the former headlight handle area. Since it's much longer than the headlight lever, it's pivot point will have to be much farther back. I'm away from home for a month, so I can't go in the garage to do measurements, but I figure that the pivot point will end up almost exactly next to the tranny selector lever. My desire is to totally redesign both front and rear center console areas, as well as, the instrument panel, so that's okay. The original auto selector lever cover will disappear making more room for the brake lever. There's a rotating electrical switch on the left side of the lever that I routinely modify by disconnecting the starter lockout wires leaving only the reverse light wires connected. This switch is potentially in the way and is very flimsy so I may replace it with a micro switch or a metal sensing proximity switch. I have access to a number of different kinds of these at my job, it's just a matter of placement. Not having to conform to any of the original console pieces gives me lots of options.
I'd like to relocate the radio lower, angled up, and closer to me, roughly where the ashtray and flasher/brake test/fog light switch is. There's a lot of wasted space there. Here's some picks of someone's dash that they redid in wood:
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1257683307

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1257683307

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1257683307

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1257683307

Once you go with wood, the possibilities are endless.

[opelspyder]

I would be more concerned with leverage, and distance of the pull. I don't think you are going to be able to pull enough ebrake with this method. Seemed like we relocated a Lokar small ebrake lever in front of a bench seat on a Chevy truck, and even right in front of you, one just could not get enough leverage to pull the brake enough. Corvettes had that Ebrake on the left side of the driver, and I never cared for it their either-you always hit the thing getting in and out. I just think as small as the handle is, you better have some pull to you. Wait-now that I think about it, you will have to use some other type of handle anyways, how would you lock it in and release it with the headlight handle? (added later) Sorry I see you want to just move the whole assembly, not actually use the headlight handle, just be cramped a little)
Keith

[baz]

find a jag xjs , the e-brake handle is always down , it locks on and then drops down below seat level , to release you lift up and push button in as normal and it mounts on rocker
or go with a foot op one , you have to remember its your last chance system if the fluid system go's out to lunch

[opelspyder]

I do not think you are gaining anything by putting the ebrake up forward on the console. You originally posted that you wanted to make use of all the console, I see that being a great place for a cupholder or radio controls vise versa. If you are looking to have full use of console, relocate e brake off the console entirely, maybe in front of the seat, where you just have to reach between the legs to engage it.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by opelnut10 Sometime ago I saw an ad for an electric brake lock <snipped> looked like a good answer to the problem of relocating the E-Brake by engaging the brake electrically instead on mechanically.

And you're going to rely on something electrical to keep your car from rolling when you're not there? How much current does it draw while the switch is off?

Harold

[thescifiguy]

Don't forget, it's an auto, so I'll just about never use the brake handle except to pass inspection once every two years. In 25 years of driving GT's with auto tranny's I've never used it.

I totally agree with everyone's safety and strength considerations, though.

To me the perfect solution would be to ditch the big Frankenstein lever and move the e-brake function out of the center console area entirely. A foot pedal where the washer fluid bulb (used) to be or a T-handle under-dash type. Having a T-handle where the hood latch t-handle is would be an option.

Do most foot and T-handle e-brakes use a cable of some sort? Is it a straight pull on the yoke or is a lever added somewhere to increase leverage?

[opelnut10]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr And you're going to rely on something electrical to keep your car from rolling when you're not there? How much current does it draw while the switch is off? Harold

The electric part just engages a selinoid

[opelnut10]

The electrical part just holds fluid pressure on whatever brake system you have it installed on. To make it work you have to mash the brake pedal and engage the electrical switch, which is going to hold the car when engaged. As far as I know your car will not roll with the engine turned off and the transmission in first or reverse, if you are still insecure about it cut the wheel into the curb going down hill and away from the curb going up hill. The only purpose I have ever had for an e-brake was to show that it worked with the engine running so my car would pass inspection.

[opelgtboy70]

Parking brake...who needs a parking brake????

[opelspyder]

Parking brake...who needs a parking brake????

My 1970 GTO could have used one, when I watched it roll down a hill and hit an Oak tree. Only had the car a week, fortunately insured, but could have used it then
Keith