Thread: Electric park brake conversion for defender

Have solved the annoying problem of handbrake lever against left leg in Defender by moving it exactly 5 inches to the left - about as far as it is possible to go. Probably the easier part making bits to support lever, etc and no problem with linkage as standard one is just a cable. More fiddly with the bits you have to cut out of the transmission tunnel and then make up new bits to cover the hole while clearing both the lever and gearbox.


For a start to make the job less difficult, the first thing to do which is a good idea to help with access problems is to cut the transmission tunnel in half lengthways. ie Short sections in front of and behind what is covered by rubber "boot" surrounding gear levers. When transmission tunnel floor mat piece is in place, cannot see the cuts anyway. If you ever want to remove the transmission tunnel to readily access anything underneath, it easily comes off in two halves. Or much of the time, eg with this handbrake moving project, only one side - the right half need come off. Note I recently had left side off mine. Reason- could easily get reversing light switch out of left side of gearbox. Mate needed to borrow one that worked in a hurry to get roadworthy on a Discovery 1

WHy not just move it up next to teh cubby box using a RR or Disco lever? Easier, less cutting, uses same cable....

Easier to move the handbrake lever at an angle to give more leg clearance.

LRA sell what they call a 'kicker' for a simple bolt on solution, or I modified the bracket to do the same on mine.

The Defender park brake is way more efficient than the disc ones, unless it gets full of mud or oil....
Disco park brake lever fitted next to the seat is way more ergonomic.

defender handbrake relocation Pic at post # 10

DO NOT fit an EPB!!!!!

JC

For those who have a cubby box, it is obviously much easier to move the handbrake lever into it than moving it 5 inches to the left, as I have which involves fiddly modification of the transmission tunnel However, I have a 130 with the 8 inch extended truck cab. Want to continue with the option of carrying a passenger in the middle seat, which is more usable than in a standard single or twin cabcab . Have moved it back 8 inches so backrest is same distance from rear of cab as in standard one. Seat base in front of middle seat good for low profile junk temporary depository but certainly do not want handbrake sticking up there when have occasional use of middle seat for passenger.

Originally Posted by justinc

The Defender park brake is way more efficient than the disc ones, unless it gets full of mud or oil....
...................

JC

Never tried it before today, but the stock LT 95 drum handbrake (it's in perfect nick) is very capable of locking the wheels on my pos (RRC) on gravel when used to stop on its own.

Defender drums are bigger dia I believe.

DL