Are Dash mounted hydraulic brake locks a good idea?

I am building a CJ5 with PTO winch. I have a NOS brake lock, mechanical lever type, that I am contiplating using. Are they a good idea? Or more work then their worth? Do you just run the MC lines through this on the way to the proportional valve? Or after the PropV?

 

I didn't have all the parts for my t-case brake so I used the cheapo Jamar hydraulic brake lock. It works pretty good but I don't trust it to the point where I would get out and leave the rig. It holds fine so I can get out and put a 2 x 4 in front of the tire or get out and open the garage door if I want to leave the motor running. Note that the Jamar product is known for failing and when it fails it won't release. When mine wouldn't release I would have to get out and loosen a break line to releave the pressure so I could move. I did a little internet research and it's a common problem.

I think the Mico lock is worth the extra $.

Some guys will just install a quarter turn ball valve and they seem happy with that.

One other thing to think about is location. I ran the brake line up to the lock at the dash to the left of the steering wheel. If I was to do it again I would look at installing in near the floor to the left of the seat so there would be less modification to the brake line routing. I'm assuming I would put it on the rear brakes again.

 

"I don't trust it to the point where I would get out and leave the rig."

x2. If a brake line blows, you've got nothing. This once happened to a fire truck in my department, and it almost crushed the pump operator.

I believe the brake line was exposed to exhaust heat and burst, since the "locked" brake fluid had nowhere to go as it expanded.

 

mine works great!

 

Very interesting. My Jeep came with a line lock I got rid of for doing that very thing. Don’t remember the brand name though.

 

Yeah. Just try google on something like "jamar line lock problem" and you can see that it's a common failure. I took the old one apart and couldn't quite figure out how it works or why it jams in the locked position. I could see where a guy could get mad and push on the brake pedal too hard and cause further problems.

I ended up buying a new one because my brake lines were all made to fit that unit. I got the new on in the mail and then a few days later I got another one! so now I have a spare.

Wish I would have listened to Pewe and got a Mico.

 

Mico locks have been known to leak down as well, Never had one lock on. Had one insurance claim due to a leakdown and one almost traffic ticket, and I no longer trust one for more than a minute.

 

Any hydraulic locking mechanism is meant strictly as a short term, temporary holding device. They are not DOT approved nor are they legal in most states as a park brake mechanism. They can be useful as a short term brake lock for winching or other operations assuming your brake hydraulic system is in good working order. Any hydraulic system will bleed off pressure over time, especially drum brake systems.







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Thanks for the great feedback. I like "AKCJ's" idea about the location. I will check the manuf. of the unit I have.

 

I had one on one of my cj5's and wish I could find another to put on the % i have now.

Does any one know where to get one?

 

Mico-Lock's are still made. Do a Google search. Lots of sites come up.

 

I used the electric line lock from jegs. Hooked the power wire up hot all the time. So no brake lines run into the passenger area. Works good for me. I put one on front and one on the rear and hooked the power wire up to one switch to lock all tires at once. HTH fdpwr2a