I am in the process of wanting to put cutting brakes onto my rig. Could some one explain to me how they work. Can i have cutting brakes in I have drum brakes? Will a cutting brake work with a Detriot Locker or do i have to have a locker that desingages like an ox or an arb? I mainly just need a description of how to make it all work. Thanks for the help.

For cutting brakes to work you first have to have a twin-stick tcase with front wheel drive only. Doesn't really matter what kind of locker you have, as many people prefer to lock both wheels anyway and with no power, it doesn't lock. You don't need any special brakes, just stock and preferably a rear line lock but that is also not necessarily needed. Since I've still got crappy drums up front on the bronco, I can put it into Front-low and hold the brakes and do a sharp 90 or 180*, but so far I've only done this in snow and slick stuff. It is VERY hard on your truck, esp the front axle.

Yea I have a twin stick transfercase so i beleive i will be able to make it work i didnt know if people were locking up both sides or just one depending on which way you are turning. Thanks for the help. Scott.

Are cutting brakes different in 4X4's?
In my sand rail days cutting brakes just locked one rear wheel to pivot on that one.

Originally posted by deadmeat
Are cutting brakes different in 4X4's?
In my sand rail days cutting brakes just locked one rear wheel to pivot on that one.

Yeah, their 4wd and have lockers. If you search for "cutting brakes" or "front dig" in gen 4x4 there are a few vids of people doing this.

I understand the locker thing.
it just sound like the reply said you lock both rear brakes and try to pivot on that.
Did I just read that wrong?

Originally posted by deadmeat
I understand the locker thing.
it just sound like the reply said you lock both rear brakes and try to pivot on that.
Did I just read that wrong?

Some people do, some don't. Lots of times only one locked tire wont hold enough to be able to pivot so many people lock both rears.

damn I was thinking of doing cutting brakes in my ZJ. So I would need something along the lines of an atlas to make cutting bakes happen? I will be building a 231HD with 4:1 and 2 low but I take it with that case, cutting brakes may not be a good idea?

Cutting brakes can work on anything, just more effective when you can engage the front only or just one tire...sometime two....I use it on mine although I wouldn't install it again as I really don't use it the way its designed....doesn't have to be hard on the front axle, all depends how much go juice you give it...it can make all the difference in the world to miss a cone or two...

Cutting brakes can work on anything, just more effective when you can engage the front only or just one tire...sometime two....I use it on mine although I wouldn't install it again as I really don't use it the way its designed....doesn't have to be hard on the front axle, all depends how much go juice you give it...it can make all the difference in the world to miss a cone or two...

Think again...If you have anything other than an ARB in the rear then its not going to work, it will only make things go :nuke:. And even if you don't give it much gas (and you have to get on it some to be able to drag the rear around) you are still driving with the front only while dragging the rear and all this while the front tires are turned hard left or right...

Think again...If you have anything other than an ARB in the rear then its not going to work, it will only make things go :nuke:. And even if you don't give it much gas (and you have to get on it some to be able to drag the rear around) you are still driving with the front only while dragging the rear and all this while the front tires are turned hard left or right...

Why can't I use a detroit soft locker in the rear, it disengages when there is no power to the axle correct?

So, to use my cutting brakes to turn a tight corner I:

-Shift my transfer case into 2lo Front wheel drive.

-Apply my rear left wheel brake (to make a left turn)

-Get on the gas and turn my steering wheel to the left to bring the nose around.

Walla, cutting brake in action, correct?

So why do you have to have only a selectable locker in the rear?

Why can't I use a detroit soft locker in the rear, it disengages when there is no power to the axle correct?

So, to use my cutting brakes to turn a tight corner I:

-Shift my transfer case into 2lo Front wheel drive.

-Apply my rear left wheel brake (to make a left turn)

-Get on the gas and turn my steering wheel to the left to bring the nose around.

Walla, cutting brake in action, correct?

So why do you have to have only a selectable locker in the rear?

It will only work if you have front wheel drive, and coyote was implying that it would work in 4wd.