Brake (fiddle) systems

[leeogrady]

Hi,

I have a modified FJ40, chev 350 etc. Currently has open diffs and fiddle brakes on the rear. I have found a few occaisions where i really need more directed power on the front end, one wheel spins so the other dont bother i have toyed with a few ideas...
LSD - expensive.
Welded front diff - dont like the sound of that!
Lockers - dont have any on board air etc and expensive.

So... fiddle brakes on the front also is what i am swinging towards, however i often have inexperienced passengers who wouldnt be capable of pulling the right ones at right times (and i like to be in control ) so would need to be able to operate front and rear fiddle brakes as well as steer... Any ideas on how best to do this??? Truck is auto so gears not a problem.

My idea would be 2 pedals along side accelerator, one for each front wheel and the fiddle brakes (handbrake pos'n) for the rears. The two pedals in a pos'n like a tractor where you can push the both together. Would also adjust rears to allow pulling together.
This would mean heavy braking on all four would be a bit of a mission though.

Opinions on this setup, or feedback on someone using a similar setup would be much appreciated!

cheers
Lee

[mudlva]

small electric compressor to a small fire extinguisher bottle with a basic air switch will be heaps to run two lockers

all the guys that i ran with using fiddles dont match those that are running lockers and for and aft even better

a cheaper option would be a locker in the rear and fiddles in the front this way the back is always pushing when required and the fiddles will help in the real grizzly areas

this option will also help when doing the hard sharp 180 corners that seem to appear ocassionally

but as nasty cross axle stuff is way more common then sharp corners lockers are way more beneficial if you do go for two lockers get them wired uo inderpendantly from each other as i have used the front only many a time leaving the rear to just follow

be awere that lockers will sledge you down greasy sidlings faster than say "oh crap wish those werent in"

from experience that is

[leeogrady]

thats some good info mate, thanks for your reply. Looks like i will have to investigate getting some lockers, anyone know of a place to get them for a reasonable price?!

As the rear has the fiddles set up will only go for a front initially (unless there is a good deal for two!)

How easy are they to install in a diff? anyone done any good writeups on fitting one?

Dam, yeah i imagine it would give you a bit of fun on some of the greasy sidling bits!

Cheers

[ONOescudo]

Theirs a dude in our club who runs a modified vehicle and drives solo in club champs etc. Has wheel brakes on all 4 wheels with 2 foot pedals. Left foot pedal operates both left front and left rear wheels. Right foot pedal operates both right wheels. I suppose you aim your foot on both pedals to stop as per normal. He seems to get along all right.

Cheers MIKE.