Manual Brake System for my MkIV

[SCFFR]

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas

My MkIV basic kit was delivered last week and already knee deep in parts!

Have decided on a manual brake system. Since I’m an “easy” driver, don’t need it to “stop on a dime”, maybe just a few nickles.

Anyway, looking for a tried-and-tested system. From the forum searches I’ve done, it boils down to the Wildwood pedal system or the stock pedal box and a 1984 Jeep master cylinder.

Would like to use the stock cable clutch system but not sure if that is available with the Wildwood box. On some application, I see the quadrant on the left side of the clutch pedal but on pics of some stock pedal boxes, the quadrant is on the right side of the brake pedal. I assume if you use the Wildwood setup with clutch cable you have to drill another hole in the footbox.

Will be using SN95 spindles that came with a good pair of OEM single piston calipers. Deciding on using them or upgrading to the PBR twin piston units. Is there a “best” year for the PBR calipers? I understand that only a small bit of grinding is required to get them to fit on the 1995 spindles. Is that correct?

Will the Jeep master cylinder work with either the early Fox pedal box or the later SN95 box? There’s a Mustang only salvage yard nearby so I would have easy access to either pedal box.

As always, thanks for your feedback and input.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Because of it's simplicity and ease of moving/relocating the pedals (not to mention reports of broken Wilwood pedals) I'm a fan of the donor box and have used the Fox version on two builds. I don't think there is a big difference between the Fox and SN95 assemblies. The Jeep MC is 15/16" bore. Another option with the same bore diameter is the master from a '94/'95 Mustang Cobra. If you decide to use a Mustang box don't forget to do the pedal mod to change the pivot point.

Good luck,
Jeff

[michael everson]

Jeff is right on with all his comments. I will just add that the SN 95 pedal box is a bit nicer than the older ones. I would stick with the stock Mustang pedal box over the Wilwood for your application. I dont think there is any modifications to the spindles to use the newer 2 piston calipers. My 92 Donor came with them from the factory. Its a Cobra version.
Mike

[3kcarbon]

I used a 99 pedal box with the pedal mod. You can buy new bushings for just a few bucks and the pedal box is as good as new. I used a 94 Cobra M/C I got from FFR when they were on sale. You may want to get the adjustable pushrod that several vendors sell.

[AC Bill]

You may want to get the adjustable pushrod that several vendors sell.

I'll second that! It's really worthwhile investment. Easy to set the brake light switch up too.
I have the Jeep M/C, fox pedal box, modified brake pedal, and pedal pivot relocation, as per the manual. Works fine with my 4 disc brakes set up.

Don't let some of the guys with power brakes scare you out of manual brakes. Done correctly and with the right pads, they work fine.

[SCFFR]

Many thanks for the info.

I like to keep it simple, so will go with SN95 pedal box, Jeep m/c, adjustable pushrod. Sounds like the way to go. Definitely have no interest in power brakes. With a car this light, really not necessary.