How to . . . Body Shop Tips & Photo Gallery
Provided by Jeff Lilly Restorations.
| This article will show you how to relocate the emergency foot brake from the kick panel to in front of the driver´s seat. We chose a floor mounted E-brake unit from Lokar Manufacturing for this project. |
 |
1. There was no room in the center console or under the dash so we decided to put it in front of the driver´s seat. In addition, we will lower it into the floor for more clearance and better access in an emergency situation. |
 |
2. First we taped the handle to keep from scratching the chrome and then we cut off a small tab from the rear of the bracket to provide enough clearance for the bezel retainer bracket we will be making.
|
 |
3. Next we built a tray to let us drop the unit into the floor and clear the seat track. As with any fabrication, we laid out a pattern and in this case cut out the two pieces we needed from 20 gauge stainless steel for the sides.
|
 |
4. Then we cut out the bottom and welded the pieces together.
|
 |
5. These braces will be used to attach the emergency brake unit to the bottom of the tray. |
 |
6. Starting with another pattern, we made a bezel to fit over the brake handle and provide room for the dyna mat sound deadener and carpet.
|
 |
7. We tack welded some 10-24 nuts to the back side of the bezel.
|
 |
8. Here is a view of the other side.
|
 |
9. As you see here, the brackets allow the unit to sit in the tray level to the floor, with plenty of room for a hand.
|
 |
10. This view shows the bezel retainer bracket in place and the cable attachment block. Now you can see that we snipped the end off of the factory bracket in step #2 to clear the bezel when in the upright position.
|
 |
11. This angle shows the bezel from the side.
|
 |
12. Here we cut off the seat track bracket and then cut a hole in the floor the size of the tray. |
 |
13. Here we removed the seat to assure that the track would clear the brake handle. The bracket at the top is for the center console.
|
 |
14. We had to move the factory seat track bracket slightly to clear the tray, so we simply added some metal to the top and sides to gain the necessary clearance.
|
 |
15. This view shows the clearance.
|
 |
16. From under the car you can see the tray installed and the cable retainers sticking out the back.
|
 |
17. We also built a cover for the bottom of the tray to keep the mechanism clean and allow access for adjustments.
|
 |
18. We also made some simple channels to hold the cable in place up against the floor.
|
 |
19. This view shows the brake handle lined up directly under the seat track.
|
 |
20. Here are the cables installed between the handle and rear calipers.
|
 |
21. And here are the channel retainers tacked in place.
|
 |
22. Notice how the cables are guided over the rear suspension.
|
 |
23. And here is the connection to the calipers.
|
 |
24. With the bucket seat in the forward "show" position you can barely see the end of the brake handle.
|
 |
25. But in the driving position it$acute;s easy to access.
|
 |
26. This view shows you the finger clearance in the down position, and plenty of room to pull it up.
|
 |
27. The handle assembly will have a black chrome finish when completed to blend it into the black carpet.
|
Jeff Lilly Restorations
11125 F.M.1560 N
San Antonio, Texas
210-695-5151 - www.jefflilly.com
|
