I need to replace all brake and fuel lines on my 78 250 4wd. I have thought about buying the ready to go lines from napa and bending them myself which i have done before when replacing one line. But I don't really wanna use that kinda line for the whole truck cause I'll have to use multiple lines threaded together to reach the rear axle. I want to avoid this.
So I thought about getting bulk line and ends, bending and flaring them myself and installing. This sounds like it would create a lot of work and headache, but would definatly would be a clean install once all is said and done.
Lastly, I have seen "prebent" lines in lmc and bronco graveyard mags. This sounds like an amazing breakthough in brake line installation. But how acurate are the bends? Whats the quality of the ends or flares?
So basically, are the prebent lines worth the extra $$$ in the long run? If so, what companies have you ordered from and been satisfied with there product? Thanks.

 

The prebent lines have been around a while, but IMO they just aren't worth it. It's a huge expense, and you can do nearly the same job yourself. Also, they are bent to factory specs, and lines at the factory are installed before things like suspension components, bodywork, drivetrain, and fuel tanks so install at home can be rather difficult unless you are doing a complete disassembly. There isn't really anything wrong with a joint in the middle of a long run, it gives you a place to break the line if there is damage to one of them down the road.

 

Get a flaring tool and a bender, only a few $. It is neither difficult nor time consuming.

 

I'd say go prebent for this reason:

These days, you can have lines that do strange things (like loop in a coil before the ABS) that is needed to improve "timing".

If you see no issues with the prebent ones maneuvering around things during installation, it is simpler and cleaner install.

Check the Ford dealer --- often their parts are not all that overpriced.

 

Save yourself some time and aggravation and bend them yourself. I bought prebent before and ended up spending more time tweaking and rebending than if I'd have done it myself to begin with.

 

For a long piece, pre-bent may actually be a bigger hassle than a straight line. And a '78 not going have ABS, so there should be no loop in a coil either.

 

Thanks, I'll just buy bulk and ends and have at it. I'm thinkin stainless if its not much more.

 

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices You could get something like this kit for ocasional use.