'87 bone-stock Samurai.  After I release the parking brake, I hear a loud pop/click from the transmission tunnel when I touch the brake pedal.

It used to be a beach vehicle, so I'm guessing something underneath is coroded and/or frozen, but the e-brake doesn't seem to be sticking, just this pop every time I release it and step on the brake.

Any clues?

Worn out (internally rusted) brake cable.

Try parking it in gear, on a flat spot, then see if brake makes noise without e-brake use...

'87 bone-stock Samurai.  After I release the parking brake, I hear a loud pop/click from the transmission tunnel when I touch the brake pedal.

It used to be a beach vehicle, so I'm guessing something underneath is coroded and/or frozen, but the e-brake doesn't seem to be sticking, just this pop every time I release it and step on the brake.

Any clues?

One of my samurais does the same thing.  Mine sounds like it is back at the wheel.  Probably just the pkg. brake pieces hanging up a little.  The ebrake works fine and doesn't drag once released, so I have not been concerned with finding out why it does it.