Running Dana 18 without E-brake?

I know this should be in the Flatfender forum, but this section gets more views obviously.

Is it possible to run the Dana 18 without the E-Brake drum installed?

The context for my question is that I am currently swapping a NP435 behind my L134 and I want to be able to tuck the transfer case and transmission as high up as possible. I also have 11" rear drum brakes with E-brake capability.

Is it just a matter of removing the E-brake drum and reinstalling the rear yoke or does the E-brake drum take up space to make the yoke "work" properly?

-Thanks-

 

take the drum and backing plate off
reinstall the yoke and nut
reconnect driveshaft using bolts/nuts instead of the studs
it's that easy
how mine has been for years

oh, and remove the lever and the stud the lever rides on.

 

The Willys trucks that use the Dana 18, don't have the e-brake either.

 

Do it just how Jpflat2a said. I am running my Jeep the same way. The e-brake was non-functional on mine, and hung down really far, so I got rid of the rock anchor.

 

x2 :iagree:

 

What do you guys that remove it chose for a parking brake? Mine doesn't function and I only have 10" brakes.

 

I expect they all use the Bendix 11" rear brakes, which include a lever for a parking brake cable. The cable can be pulled by a hand lever like a VW, a foot pedal like the intermediates, or maybe even the original umbrella handle if you're strong enough.

 

what Tim says
...but I've never gotten around to doing that
I have the one peice cable to the rear wheels....
just have never found a good palce for the lever
so Sammy, for me, it's a big rock or low gear low range if on a hill (or both)

 

That's what I've been doing lately. But the park break would be nice to have when running the PTO winch and such. Line lock? Maybe.

 

Do you need the handle mechanism out of a mail jeep?

 

I don't have a parking brake. Been this way for years.

 

or an M38A1 ????
the cb radio is mounted between the seats so room is tight.
so my 11" brake backing plates can take the cable, which I have.
I'll have to look into levers and handle lengths.
an XJ Cherokee was too long, the only one I've physically checked.

a firewall mount/under dash would be better I suppose; is that what the mail vehicles use ?
I haven't looked at them....

a line lock would probably be a better option.

 

The mail jeeps I've seen have the lever between the seats, so it might interfere with your cb radio.

 

Thanks for all your replies... and so quickly!

 

I've got the 10" brakes and I use a line lock.

The line lock is ~ok if you just need to get out for a sec, like to check the mail or fasten a hood latch.

 

are you saying the line lock doesn't hold very long or doesn't hold very good, or both? I would think the line lock would be the way to go as long as you don't plan on leaving it on for very long periods(overnight) but if it would work for say 5 minutes or so that would be good enough for me. I am planning on leaving my stock parking brake off as I am in the middle of rebuilding my tcase and it has never worked, it is missing a lot of parts for it and the handle is completeley seized and useless. Also its gonna be great to have the extra ground clearance!