That was not the correct part, but I think it will work. The cable sleeve length and where it attaches underneath the truck was about 4" longer than the original. But the actual cable was pretty much the same length.

I've got something setting up with JB Weld right now...so I can't test the brake yet. I'm sure it will need some adjustment, but it seems to be working.

I'll know how well tomorrow.

Unfortunately while I was under there, I noticed my oil pump is starting to leak more oil, and I've got a pinion seal leak at the rear differential.

Neither seem to be too bad, but until this point I was losing pretty much no oil. This is the first time I've ever had to add oil between oil changes.

And i don't like the pinion seal leak. All this was so much easier in my 83 when I could just easily crawl under it! I can get under the camper, but it's really, really tight.

Oh well. I'll get around to the pinion leak, and just keep an eye on the oil for now. The oil pump, though...I just replaced it last summer. It was doing fine until this trip. Not sure if I did something wrong or what.

 

mine is 4" over too

 

Well that sucks...

Like I said, from researching it...it appeared the 79 would work for the 78. The part is for the heavy cab and chassis suspension. The part catalog only goes back to 79 for the cab and chassis platform.

Hope it works for you...

 

Yeah but it said right on the site you linked 8/78-whatever date/83. So no biggie.

Either way, especially with Erick's post, I think I'll be fine. I'm sure it'll need a little adjustment, but I think it'll work.

I'm more worried about my oil leaks now...but if they don't get any worse, and just mean I need to check the oil every few thousand miles, I'll get used to them pretty soon. And maybe the next time I get into a town that I'm visiting a friend in and have somewhere to home base for a bit, I'll fix them.

I did the parking brake cable at a highway rest station...

 

Parking brake works better than ever, so the extra length wasn't an issue.

Thanks for the help.