Brake Lines
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New User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 23
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From: Winder, GA
Brake Lines
I've got a '66 longbed F-100 and need to install new brake lines. Should I spend the $175 and purchase pre-bent lines or should I purchase the tools and lines to bend myself. The price of the latter is about $60. I will be using manual drum brakes on all four wheels. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 6
From: Connecticut
If you order the pre bent lines, make sure they're stainless ones. They'll outlast the truck. I've used straight tubing and bent them and have had no problems. It's a matter of $$ on what you want to spend....
Barry
Barry
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,836
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From: Elizabethtown, PA
I actually like making my own. It's kind of fun.
If you buy pre-bent, stainless is a good idea. If you're bending them yourself, DON'T go with stainless. They are much harder to bend and you can fracture them much more easily.
If you buy pre-bent, stainless is a good idea. If you're bending them yourself, DON'T go with stainless. They are much harder to bend and you can fracture them much more easily.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
If decide to 'do it yourself' came across article may give some pointers. As noted, requires flaring and bending tool, small tube cutter, few extra fittings, and tubing which comes ridgid or non ridgid. Suggest compare cost of tools, tubing, fittings to cost of kit, plus shipping. I purchased ridgid from local auto parts store. Suggest flare and install fitting when there is a tight bend, may find it difficult installing fitting afterwards.
http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/05...e_line_basics/
dave
http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/05...e_line_basics/
dave
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,351
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From: Escondido, CA
I purchased my own tools and lines. The nice thing about doing your own lines is that you can run them how you want them to look. Not how someone else or the factory decides. Some lines are harder to bend 180 or more but it can be done. I did that with my lines with little to no problems as long as you take your time. If you do decide to run your own lines use a wire coat hanger to figure out what the bends should look like before you start. This will help out in several ways. You'll discover if that ungodly bend is required or if you can bend it a different way to accomplish the same thing. Also how much tubing will be required for it. Most auto parts stores only sell 5 foot sections. There are a few dealers that will sell you a 25 foot coil on ebay for next to nothing when you add up all the unions and nuts you would need to run the same length with 5 foot sections.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 27
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From: kent, ohio
Hey VSF100!
I bought a complete set for my 62 short bed 2wd from In-line tube. They seem to think that f100's only came with one rear end, because mine didn't fit my dana. I ended up making 1/2 of the lines myself. It just takes time, patients & a "few" practice pieces (if you get my drift).
Tim
I bought a complete set for my 62 short bed 2wd from In-line tube. They seem to think that f100's only came with one rear end, because mine didn't fit my dana. I ended up making 1/2 of the lines myself. It just takes time, patients & a "few" practice pieces (if you get my drift).
Tim
