on my set up( drum brakes ), the cable is routed thru the diff cage, it naturally rests just above the diff, but i have put some large rubber bungs over the cable where it "might" come into contact with the diff ( don,t think it actually will, but thought it would be "attention to detail for IVA man),
then it naturally flows to the front of the drums, i,ve rivetted some P clips to the diff cage to hold the route of the handbrake cable in place, it runs above the drive shafts but will not come into contact with the driveshafts even at fully compressed suspension travel.
I wanted it thru the diff cage as would like the area above to hopefully become my boot........some day
cheers
andy