Ok still have not mastered finding existing info for any subject. So here it goes. 94 F250 XLT 4x4. Long bed.
Rear steel brake line is the subject matter at hand.
The line to Left Rear wheel is rusted and pitted. With a crack in the outside of one flare. So I am going to replace it. Line size is 3/16" with 1/4" fittings.
NAPA and O'Rielly's do not have this combo.

What are the draw backs and advantages for changing to the larger 1/4" tubing. (For both wheels.) Besides harder to bend, wrong length, and Larger cooling surface capacity?

Or should I just go to a hydraulic shop to match up what I have?
Advantage Correct length. Ready to put back on.

What have others done?
Thanks

 

Unless you're upgrading the system, I'd just have what's there replicated and replaced.

 

Use 3/16 or 1/4, whichever has the fittings you need. The difference in the line size shouldn't matter in this application.

 

^^^^ And where do you get a 1/4" line with a 3/8-24 nut on one end and 7/16-24 on the other?


​​​​​​​Ford made the fitting bigger on one side just to frustrate us.
​​​​​​​7/16--24 on the drivers side of the block at the end of the brake hose mounted to the axle.

if you don't have a double flaring tool so you can reuse your fat nut on a new 3/16 line there is an adapter fitting available.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/IFM-to...nz6RoC-83w_wcB

 

My first impulse is to take the existing line to a shop and replace the tubing with bends in my fittings. Exact match up and done!

@ ArdwrknTrk. Thanks very good advise and info.
Still any advantages to increasing the steel tubing to a larger size for both sides of the axle? And keeping the same size OD fittings. in order to be a drop in replacement. I just cleaned, painted & replaced everything under the drums on both sides and the flex line between the frame and axle.
IF I am going to upgrade now is the time.

 

Adapter fitting. Most parts stores have a bunch of short line sections with different fittings on each end. My point was that there's not going to be a difference in performance between 3/16 and 1/4 line so just get whatever is easier.

 

I would give serious thought to replacing all of the brake lines. If that one is rusty, the others probably are too. I just did this on my 94, bought the entire set, prebent, for about $300. Gives me peace of mind to know that they're not rusty any more.