ebrake mod critique

[JJK]

I am planning on relocating the ebrake to the trans tunnel top so I can access while strapped in. I moved the FFR mounting brackets to the other side of the ebrake and switched them around so the bolt goes through the longer end instead of the short end. I added a few washers to space the brackets away from the handle. Other than needing longer 5/16 bolts, what may be wrong with this setup? I plan on drilling large holes in the top of the 1x1 right side trans tunnel top, with a 5/16 hole on the bottom of the tube to put a bolt through to mount to the ebrake brackets. This just seemed too simple to me, what am I missing?180181180182180183180184

[Rdone585]

I'll let others comment on the legitimacy of these topics, but a couple of things come to mind. Does relocating the e-brake lever to this location make it harder to get the transmission in and out? I would wait until the seat position is settled to make sure that when you are strapped in, the forward/rear location of the e-brake can be fully accessed by your arm in the full (usable) travel of the lever.

[edwardb]

I think that's a legitimate location. But could interfere with the transmission as the previously poster noted. FWIW, the Coupe uses the standard e-brake assembly (same as yours) in that location but doesn't use the L brackets per the picture from my build below. Just bolts in place through the main assembly piece. There are tabs welded into the Coupe chassis. But you could just as easily use through-bolts into the 3/4" frame. Ends up being much higher and should be out of the way of the transmission. Although I don't know if the transmission tunnels are exactly the same. The mechanism will stand higher but covers fine with the boot assembly.

Two other comments. I never have, but some use a Lokar e-brake handle when relocating to the tunnel top. Don't know if that's because they don't like the FFR designed assembly or just didn't try to use it. I've used it on several builds and I don't have any complaints. Also, truly FWIW, the "I can't reach the e-brake in the stock location when strapped in" gets a lot of forum play, but personally I haven't found that to be the case. I'm very average build and can reach it. Have you actually tried yours? Plus, to be honest, don't use it all that often. Your experience may vary, but just throwing that out there.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/ab234/edwardb123/IMG_0649_cropped.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/ab234/edwardb123/IMG_0649_cropped.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

[JJK]

Also, truly FWIW, the "I can't reach the e-brake in the stock location when strapped in" gets a lot of forum play, but personally I haven't found that to be the case. I'm very average build and can reach it. Have you actually tried yours? Plus, to be honest, don't use it all that often. Your experience may vary, but just throwing that out there.



You were correct, I can reach the handle just fine in the stock location with the seat all the way back and my back planted to the seat. I do not consider myself to have freakishly long arms, I am 5'11" (used to be 6', odd how i am shrinking now). Lesson learned for future considerations as this mod has been averted.

[CDXXVII]

You were correct, I can reach the handle just fine in the stock location with the seat all the way back and my back planted to the seat. I do not consider myself to have freakishly long arms, I am 5'11" (used to be 6', odd how i am shrinking now). Lesson learned for future considerations as this mod has been averted.

Yeah, I can relate to the used to be 6' and now 5'-11". Reaching the park brake in the stock location is a non issue for me.

I did not care for the Factory Five handle so I replaced it with a stock mustang handle. Performs a heck of a lot better and with the carpet it just blends in.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=180363&d=1585344425

[dbo_texas]

Your post was still useful for me! I have a T56 so I have to relocate the e-brake handle due to interference w/ the trans. This looks like a simple way to mount the stock handle....I've seen a lot of ways to do this, and some require cutting the frame or welding. I'm trying to keep it simple.

[CABulldog]

I am doing the same thing, moving mine up top, I am also moving the shifter forward as well. For me there are 2 reasons I am doing this, first I prefer the look, a local guy has his on top and I like it better. Second when I drove someone elses mk2 I could not reach the hand brake and he had to release it for me. That was just validation of what I had already decided. I have been cutting and welding on my frame and I have a little more to do.

[Jim S]

Great ideas guys. I was also looking for a way to make use of the FFR supplied e-brake parts but I needed to relocate it because of interference with a 4R70W tranny.

Thanks for the ideas.

[Blitzboy54]

. Also, truly FWIW, the "I can't reach the e-brake in the stock location when strapped in" gets a lot of forum play, but personally I haven't found that to be the case. I'm very average build and can reach it. Have you actually tried yours? Plus, to be honest, don't use it all that often. Your experience may vary, but just throwing that out there.


I am in that camp. I absolutely cannot reach it. Maybe I'm strapped in to tight but I feel like if I was in an accident I don't want a lot of slack. I wish I had moved mine.

[CABulldog]

I am in that camp. I absolutely cannot reach it. Maybe I'm strapped in to tight but I feel like if I was in an accident I don't want a lot of slack. I wish I had moved mine.

Yeah I was strapped in tight but on top of that being British I was taught to use my handbrake (e brake) a lot, like every time the car stops at a red light etc, manual trans don't have a park feature that I am aware of, so either you have to leave it in gear or use the handbrake. On my british test many moons ago, I would get a mark every time I stopped at a red light and did not follow the exact sequence correctly, which was to stop with feet on the clutch and brake, engage the handbrake without clicking it (so depress the button) then put the car into neutral, when the light went green had to put the clutch in, engage 1st, then release the hand brake while using the clutch biting point to hold/move the car. Fail to do that 3 times and you fail. Now not saying anyone with a license does it like that, but it does make using the handbrake a very regular event as it is drilled into you. The modern tests have gotten harder so I doubt it has been removed.

[Nigel Allen]

Yeah I was strapped in tight but on top of that being British I was taught to use my handbrake (e brake) a lot, like every time the car stops at a red light etc, manual trans don't have a park feature that I am aware of, so either you have to leave it in gear or use the handbrake. On my british test many moons ago, I would get a mark every time I stopped at a red light and did not follow the exact sequence correctly, which was to stop with feet on the clutch and brake, engage the handbrake without clicking it (so depress the button) then put the car into neutral, when the light went green had to put the clutch in, engage 1st, then release the hand brake while using the clutch biting point to hold/move the car. Fail to do that 3 times and you fail. Now not saying anyone with a license does it like that, but it does make using the handbrake a very regular event as it is drilled into you. The modern tests have gotten harder so I doubt it has been removed.

Same here in Australia. I lived in a town that was completely flat I never saw the point of it.