Brake Cable Issue

[82oldskid]

Hey guys.  Got a goofy problem with my 86 K20.  I just rebuilt the rear brakes, and put new brake cables on in the process...  Now, when I go to hook them all up together, the rear cables wont reach forward enough to connect onto the front cable, no matter how much slack i put into the adjuster.  I dont understand what could possibley be wrong here.  My thoughts were maybe because the truck has a 3 inch lift, it might be causing the rear cables to be short, but then again, 3 inches doesnt seem like it would be that much.  Or, it could just be the fact that I got brake cables from Advance, and (being an employee there), have seen many people come back to the store complaining about the cable being either too long or too short...  but I felt that may not be the case, seeing as both rear cables seem to be short.  Regardless, what do yinz think?  Thanks to all in advance.

-Evan
  82Oldskid

[thirsty]

Evan- I recently did mine. Is your 3" lift a body lift or a suspension lift? Either way it should not matter much. On a body lift it would affect the front cable but there should be enough slack to get it hooked. If you have a suspension lift then your rear cables would be affected. I have a 4" lift with add-a-leafs and that is roughly 5". The rear cables on mine are about maxed out but I was still able to get it together without lowering my rear bracket. Put the front cable in the cab and hook up the pedal and attach it on the chassis. With the rear cables installed in the brakes leave the adjusting cable out of the equalizer pull real hard to connect the two. Make sure the pedal is fully released too. Then do the same thing to connect the adjusting cable to the equalizer. Maybe taking your drums off will help.

[Blazin]

Is the weight valve adjuster still intact for your rear brakes. The bracket that the rod attaches to is also where the rear cable attaches. I took mine off my 86 k20 when i rebuilt it as that valve was junk, and is only there for dubs that don't know the difference in braking with, and with out a load in the bed. I had to put the bracket back on the rear end housing to mount the cable to the correct location so it would reach.

[beastie_3]

I have a 6" full suspension lift and have no problems with parking brake cables. I think I had to route the rear cables under the leaf so they didnt bind, but other than that, I have no problems. Perhaps there is a wrong cable.