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Alternative handbrake lever position?
Mave - 16/4/09 at 07:52 PM

I'm considering moving the handbrake lever in my car more to the front, and at an angle, so the handle itself is right next to the gearstick. Just like in the TVR below.
My main goal is to have it easier to operate (without knocking my passengers' teeth out), give some elbowroom for cruizinnn (however, I hardly use that place as such), and make lockable compartment in its current location.

Any pro's and con's I haven't thought of?!?!



mr_pr - 16/4/09 at 08:00 PM

The boys at Mac#1 drop it into the tunnel so when off it is out of the way... like this...


adam1985 - 16/4/09 at 08:14 PM

^^^
seen this before didnt know its normal on mac1s nice little touch i think


Guinness - 16/4/09 at 08:31 PM

Nice idea.

Just make sure you can operate it when you are seat belted in.

My mate has a Caterham with a handbrake under the dash on the passenger side. It was fine when he had inertia reel seat belts, but became a problem when he upgraded to 4 point harnesses!

Mike


SWW84 - 16/4/09 at 10:14 PM

How about under the dash on the drivers side like the early Dax Rush?


omega0684 - 16/4/09 at 11:31 PM

^^^^^^ mine is like this , its crap for doing hand brake turns though


Mave - 17/4/09 at 05:56 AM

I really like the Mac#1 solution, but it won't solve the "elbow in passengers' face" issue I'm experiencing with my current set-up. (at 6ft5 I the associated really long arms )

I have also considered putting it under the steeringwheel, but as you say; I won't be able to reach it with my 4 point harness on.


JAG - 17/4/09 at 07:05 AM

How about this, ignore the cat

Cat in Q91XAB
Cat in Q91XAB


I also have a small cubby hole in the top of the tunnel which is very useful.


jabbahutt - 17/4/09 at 07:30 AM

BBWales has a cracking solution. He's fitted a small T handle in the dash that locks when twisted through a quarter turn. So he pulls it to engage and twists to keep it engaged. To disengage he simplys untwists it and off he goes.

Cracking idea and saveas loads of space in the tunnel area.


sickbag - 17/4/09 at 09:51 AM

Pretty much the same as the series1 & 2 XJ6s if I remember correctly. Might even be able to find one in the breakers.


quadra - 18/4/09 at 03:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mave
I really like the Mac#1 solution, but it won't solve the "elbow in passengers' face" issue I'm experiencing with my current set-up. (at 6ft5 I the associated really long arms )

I have also considered putting it under the steeringwheel, but as you say; I won't be able to reach it with my 4 point harness on.


Mave

How about cutting your arm off at the elbow and welding your hand back on, no more elbows in face.

Seriously though, don't go for the under the steering column like the Dax, its a pain and difficult to use and easy to leave on without noticing.


Mark Allanson - 18/4/09 at 08:39 PM

quote:
Originally posted by JAG
How about this, ignore the cat

Cat in Q91XAB
Cat in Q91XAB


I also have a small cubby hole in the top of the tunnel which is very useful.


That isn't a cat, its a standard silencer


dogwood - 19/4/09 at 07:10 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Allanson

That isn't a cat, its a standard silencer



Ninehigh - 21/4/09 at 06:06 PM

Don't know how legal/possible/easy to use it'll be, but how about on the dashboard, somewhere behind the steering wheel-ish? There wouldn't be anything sticking out to be impaled on unless you're driving with the handbrake on


Mave - 21/4/09 at 06:34 PM

>How about cutting your arm off at the elbow and welding your hand back on, no more elbows in face.

Mike, I can't reach the steering wheel if I do that. Oh, and you're to blame for my rebuild and holey quest for more power....

I also like the vertical solution, but how do you connect the cable? Or what lever are you using?

[Edited on 21/4/09 by Mave]


Ninehigh - 21/4/09 at 06:37 PM

I guess you could use the same lever, and extend the cable by a few foot to reach that extra distance


Marcus - 21/4/09 at 08:52 PM

If you can find an MR2 handbrake lever, they mount to the side of the tunnel, as does MG Midget. I went for Toyota and used the Toyota first cable to pull a balance bar and a cable (Allegro) to each back wheel.


rb968 - 24/4/09 at 01:25 PM

Or like a Citroen GS which was a handle you pulled straight out of the dash. Just sat in a recess. My Gran had one. Not sure you'll find one in a scrappy though!
Rich