Early (1963 -1970) FSJ Questions Answered

[Joodan24]

Hi all. Over the past few years of researching and restoring specifically early model FSJs, I have acumulated parts sources, knowledge and general ability to work with these rare and never original machines. I am no expert mechanic but I like to think Ive amasse a lot of the answers to the questions asked online.

So ask away early model FSJ guys (and gals). I'll try my best to answer any and all questions!

Quick edit: I ask a lot of questions myself as I am not a mechanic by trade (anymore) so you may find on this forum, lots of dumb questions I have asked. That being said, any answers I provide are simply the trials and errors of a software engineer that loves working on mechanical systems.

[jhartings]

The previous owner of my 69 Wagoneer removed the park brake cables. I have found the front cable but cannot find the rear cables or connecting hardware. There are plenty of 70’s Wagoneer cables online but I doubt they are interchangeable. Different rear axles. Any ideas?

[Joodan24]

Parking brakes come in a few forms on these vehicles. First, there are two styles of brakes, clamshell and star. The clamshell brakes, in my experience, are the only ones with the option to have a parking brake that acts directly upon the rear drums and I have never seen a Pre 71 wagoneer with the star adjusting brakes. So, in summary, it's possible your parking brake is acting directly on your rear clamshell drums.

The other type of parking brake is a driveline drum. This is a small brake drum that is between your transfer case rear output and the yolk on your rear drive shaft.

Maybe I gave too much info just to ask . . . What style parking brake do you have?

[tgreese]

The previous owner of my 69 Wagoneer removed the park brake cables. I have found the front cable but cannot find the rear cables or connecting hardware. There are plenty of 70’s Wagoneer cables online but I doubt they are interchangeable. Different rear axles. Any ideas?

There is a Jeep Factory Parts Manual for '61-73 J-series vehicles here - http://oljeep.com/edge_parts_man.html

This book may give you the information you are looking for. I would expect a 1969 Wagoneer to have 11"x2" Bendix brakes, which use a foot-pedal-operated parking brake activated by a cable. I'm at work so I can't look closely at the parts manual, but the type of brakes present should be apparent from the listings in the parts manual.

If you cannot source the cables you need, there are companies that make custom length cables for applications like this where there is no longer any off-the-shelf aftermarket source. Check online, or perhaps in Hemming's Motor News.

[jhartings]

Joodan
I am 95% sure they are clamshell.

Tim
Thank you... I will look it over.

[tgreese]

Glad I could help. I would also mention that the bits that connect the cables ("connecting hardware?") are generic, in my experience. Parts I used on my '82 J20 for the equalizer and to connect the cables are nominally for a '70s Camaro, but they worked perfectly.

[tgreese]

You want more help with this? Looking at the parts book, the Wagoneer has a single cable between both rear wheels, PN 938147. The only application that is different is the early 230 cid OHC six Wagons, with a parking brake mounted on the transfer case. All the rest will be 11"x2" Bendix brakes. This cable is the same, 1965 to 1972. You will need an equalizer, which is the part the cable between the rear wheels goes through. It has a hole that accepts the threaded end of the cable to the pedal. This is a Jeep 641273, but I think you will need to use a GM work-alike like the one I used from a Camaro. Here is an example: https://www.amazon.com/1960-1981-Emerge ... +equalizer

You could also possibly use the parts from '73, which has the same kind of brakes but use different cables with a separate cable for each rear wheel and an additional cable across the middle between the two rear wheel cables. I don't know if your pedal cable will be the right length for these, but you could substitute the pedal cable for a '73, and that would probably be correct. The wheel cables (2 ea) are Jeep 5351672 and the center cable is a 5351673. You will need connectors between the cables like this https://www.speedwaymotors.com/OER-5374 ... fdce90987d This has a Jeep PN 5351659 but the GM part works fine.

All this is shown in the parts book; group 8. NB the pictures are a seprate section from the listings, so you'll have to page back and forth to compare the drawings to the listings.

'74 and newer is Delco brakes and not compatible.

hth!

[jhartings]

Thanks guys... I will order some parts and let you know how it turns out.

[jhartings]

So I have the cables but when I opened the drums up the park brake lever and equalizer are gone...

Anyone know how I can find any? Any other vehicles I can swap with? Would a CJ work?

[Jetscuh]

Nice of you to offer any knowledge and experience on these older FSJ's!

I have a '68 Wagoneer...errr what resembles a Wagoneer. I'm completely taking it a apart for a frame-off and I'm sure I'll have many questions when and if it gets put back together.

I need a lot of little things here and there (reverse light lense, gas pedal, seat belts, etc.) so the scavenging takes up a fair bit of time.

[tgreese]

So I have the cables but when I opened the drums up the park brake lever and equalizer are gone...

Anyone know how I can find any? Any other vehicles I can swap with? Would a CJ work?

Junkyard item, no current aftermarket source.

These are Bendix 11"x2" drum brakes, a commodity part sourced from an external supplier Bendix Corp. They were used on a lot of different cars in the day, including Jeeps and many Fords, such as the F-100 pickup an early Bronco. I would expect the lever and equalizer from these other vehicles would fit.

You asked specifically about the CJ - these parts from CJs 1972-1978 are the same. Prior to 1972 the CJ used Wagner (?) 10"x2" drums which are different, as are the '78-on 10"x1.75" brakes used with nearly all front disk brake CJs.

[mrniell]

I have a complete rear axle from a 1965 Wagoneer that I will be selling soon if you cant find any parts. located in Colorado.

[67GMC]

I don't know if this helps but on my '67 GMC, it had 11"X2" drum brakes. They were Bendix as well. LMC truck sells them and has a nice picture.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=134

The cables are on page 140 and it shows the equalizer part.

Might not work for you but I remember having a hard time getting the brakes for my '67 back in the day.

[jhartings]

Follow up for my 69 Wagoneer Park Brake rebuild

So I bought the brake lever, equalizer and Wilwood park brake cable kit off Tom’s Bronco Parts

https://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/product ... bronco-new
https://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/product ... bronco-new
https://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/product ... bronco-new

I got the springs and cable kit from Quadratrac
https://www.quadratec.com/p/crown-autom ... j-and-sj-j
https://www.quadratec.com/products/12710_0903.htm

Put it all together and working like a champ!