Fiddle brakes for the front??

De-Ranged · Post by **De-Ranged** » Sat May 22, 2004 12:54 pm

Gidday all

Got wee query about fiddle brakes in a 4WD, is there any benifit from fiddle brakes on the front ??

I've used plenty of tractors fitted with them but they only work on the back wheels

Just thought I'd ask before I plumb up the rear ones...

Cheers Reece

Rangerat · Post by **Rangerat** » Wed May 26, 2004 10:49 am

Hi Reece

I can't see much use for front fiddle brakes because
1. locking up one rear wheel will cause the front to pivot about that piont (what you want) and
2. Locked up front wheel = no steering (what you don't want)

I'm thinking of fiddle brakes for the back on my rangie (turning circle of a supertanker) and would be interested on how you go about it. A write up perhaps? After all why reinvent the wheel. lol.

Along with the fiddle brakes I was working out how quick (and how many hands) I would need to unlock the rear locker, apply brake, brake off, lock locker, when a mate said "fit a switch to the fiddle brake levers that is wired to the locker switch" so when you pull on the required brake (left or right) the locker is disingaged at the same time, release brake, locker reingages. How easy, yep I brought that man a beer!

Rat

lilpigzuk · Post by **lilpigzuk** » Wed May 26, 2004 11:27 am

Fiddle brakes do work on the front, Ive had a play in a Zuk based trail truck that had all four braked. All depends on when you use them. Obviously with weight transfer, a rear brake set up will worked best up hill and on down hills vica versa.
Front ones do work well, even more so if used with a rear locker, they will pivot around the front wheel braked. I guess if you are using it then the steering should be turned hard the same way then steering shouldnt be an issue?? Can also be used as a poor mans difflock if you dont have one in the front (brake spinning wheel) - which Ive seen used successfully alot.
I would of thought front fiddle brakes would be more useful, especially as most of you run rear lockers??

The switch idea sounds good, would be a hand full as rat said trying to switch that/pull this in the heat of the moment.

cheers
Rex

Rangerat · Post by **Rangerat** » Wed May 26, 2004 3:34 pm

ummmmm, ok, sounds fair.
Good trip home Rex?

Rat

lilpigzuk · Post by **lilpigzuk** » Wed May 26, 2004 4:39 pm

Just my thoughts having seen/used them in action

. All this in a light trial truck, whether the weight of a Rangie would have a different effect.....

Fairly uneventful trip home, too scared to add up the final fuel bill, nice to have the wifes car today (XR6 Turbo

) after spending 6 days straight in the Discovery - 1800ish kms road, 500ish km off road. Its now making up for letting water in during the river crossings by letting it out of the water pump

Annnnnnd the wife wants a 4wd of her own after driving it one of the days, I dont know whether thats a good thing or not ??!! :lol:

Will get the light on the courier tomorrow.....

cheers
Rex

De-Ranged · Post by **De-Ranged** » Wed May 26, 2004 9:28 pm

Thanks for that guys, that tip for the dif switch is something i didn't even think about, cheers rat

I think I'll stick with just the back at the moment, as I'm setting the ole girl up to be operated by just the driver .... 4 brake levers would be a bit much, as it is I'm using a couple of extra handbrake levers mounted between the seats .... maybee in the future :lol:

hmmmm yea... i think I could add a couple more...

And yes I will have some pics and a bit of a how too online soon .... just got to get around to updating the homepage, just sort of depends on how much work I have to do on the new toy

Cheers Reece