Parking Brake Cable Upgrade

Does anyone know if a cable upgrade kit exists for parking/e-brakes, that eliminates the old eyelet system and just has cables that run directly from the parking brake pedal bracket to the rear brake assembly? Or can I just order cables made to length from somewhere?

I've got an 83 K1500 long bed that still has rear drums.

If you eliminate the eyelet system how you plan on hooking up two brake assemblies to one brake pedal and routing it around the driveshaft and aXLe?

SquareRoot said:

If you eliminate the eyelet system how you plan on hooking up two brake assemblies to one brake pedal and routing it around the driveshaft and aXLe?

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Same way you'd run anything else like wiring or brake lines. Follow the frame rail back, then drop down at center axle and go out. Or just do like any late model truck does. As far as the pedal goes, just need a 2-to-1 bracket.

carterjdrake said:

Same way you'd run anything else like wiring or brake lines. Follow the frame rail back, then drop down at center axle and go out. Or just do like any late model truck does. As far as the pedal goes, just need a 2-to-1 bracket.

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Well, the passenger side will be about 6 foot longer than the driver side in that case. When you make the 90 degree bend at the "center axle" you gonna use a pulley or what? Steel cable don't like being bent at sharp angles. Plus, the cable enters the backing plate at a slight forward angle, you can't come in from the side. I guess I'm wondering why you're making it difficult. The OEM system is about as simple and reliable as it gets.

I would like to remove the eyelet system aswell cause I always get ice and mud built up on the cable. I have moved my wiring harnesses to the inside of the frame rail but now need to figure out a system aswell to run the e brake cable on the inside aswell. And my exhaust pipe is running right where the two meet and not hooked up right now.

I agree with Squareroot on this as the factory 80 up system works well but you can get cables/ brackets from Lokar, custom cables and several others. Maybe an e-stopp would help in this situation.

Only thing I know of besides factory replacement stuff (that works great btw, I personally wouldn't change it if you're still running factory drums) is the aftermarket electric parking brake conversion kits. They're typically meant to be used with rear discs though

You can have custom made cables, I used this company, they were easy to work with and prices were reasonable.

SquareRoot said:

Well, the passenger side will be about 6 foot longer than the driver side in that case. When you make the 90 degree bend at the "center axle" you gonna use a pulley or what? Steel cable don't like being bent at sharp angles. Plus, the cable enters the backing plate at a slight forward angle, you can't come in from the side. I guess I'm wondering why you're making it difficult. The OEM system is about as simple and reliable as it gets.

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Couple follow up questions/ comments. You guys that are pro- factory setup may deal with the same conditions I do. I'm in Iowa, so I contend with road salt in the winter, which obviously contributes to increased underbody rust, especially on the exposed factory cables/ brackets/ eyelets.

I don't exclusively offroad with my rig but I do indulge from time to time. Similar to Originalthor, I also get mud and ice caked on everything. Some would say, well if you wash the underbody every time you take it out it wouldn't be a problem. Frankly, 1) I'm not going to do that, and 2) With coated cables I wouldn't have to worry about the corrosion, build-up, or snagging it on things on the trail... nearly as much.

My current system is rusted and broken. Was just looking for a better alternative if there is one.

Just wanted to see if you pro-oem guys deal with these same issues.