Hi guys,

How hard and time consuming of a job is it to replace the rear handbrakes cables?

Specifically if going to an L/W handbrake setup?

And what interior parts would need to come out?

Easy, remove the center console, remove them from the t piece by maneuvering the eyelets outs.

There are two grommets in the chassis that needs to be pushed or pulled out, it's easiest to do it under the car, then the cables just pull out, a couple of clamps attached via a 10mm bolt along the way, then the clamp/bracket on the hub, job done.

Refitting is just reverse or removal.

Does the centre console have to be completely removed or just that pocket to be able to unhook the cables?

Any other interior pieces that need to come out?

never done it, just going to regurgitate from the manual

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/F6rwISf21xMo5vnD3rDvxEyiresW7F0qqVnmaicaI9k=w462-h643-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Qqon4WGIuDlg4eUWiWu8Bs9lcp9yrk1WPXJeagae6o8=w613-h643-no

Does the centre console have to be completely removed or just that pocket to be able to unhook the cables?

Any other interior pieces that need to come out?

Its a little bit harder to remove the cable with the center console in place, but it seriously only takes a minute or two to remove the whole console.

Do the carpet and/or rear seats need to come out?

Rear cushion, yes, the back rest, no.

You don't need to remove the carpet, just work around it.

What is a reasonable amount of time for this to take for a mechanic to do?
As I have been quoted an additional 2 hours labour on top of replacing the rear subframe which sounds a little bit too much?

An hour to replace it.

As you have a J series, you will need a complete L series back end for the car as well

As you have a J series, you will need a complete L series back end for the car as well

or......find a very late build 02 J series that may have the L series handbrake already.

As we found out when investigating handbrake issues with our 12/02 build TJ.

It already had the later version.

As you have a J series, you will need a complete L series back end for the car as well

What do you mean complete back end?
The complete subframe?