Steel brake lines ? Buy pre-made or build you own ?

[Green Machine]

Should replace some but not all brake lines on my '70, complete kits run 150+ or so without the rubber ones. I can buy lengths at NAPA for a lot less, but has anyone had luck cutting and the doing the double flares ? I have a single flare setup but maybe should buy a whole new kit, IIRC the last time I did double flares the result wasn't so good, I want to be safe, but that seems like a H of a lot of money to get the premade lines, What do you think - Thanks

[68haywagon]

I got the SS setup from inlinetube.com. It was expensive but well made, I would say probably 98% right. I would buy another setup without hesitation if I had another truck. Plus the SS will last alot longer then the original stuff.

Mike

[4tiresngas]

I agree with Mike. I got the SS from inlinetube.com also. They are pretty knowledgeable and can even get you the correct lines for power disc brake conversion setups.

[shifty]

also, when should you upgrade? and is there a better route to use with the new lines? my truck hardly has any rust and the lines look great on the outside - but i know how caustic brake fluid is.

is it worthwhile to run new lines? is there some better path to use other than stock?

[RPOZ11]

inlinetube.com
Thanx for that lead; I needed that info as I am about to that pointe for doing those!
Thanx!!!!!

[Tx Firefighter]

I build my own. Once you know how to double flare, it's a snap.

I can build all new ones for what shipping alone would cost on a prebent sent from a supplier somewhere.

[Guardrail]

IMO it would depend on what style vehicle I was building. If it's a Street Rod type truck (lotsa aftermarket stuff, chrome, polished stuff, etc.), I'll make my own. But I must tell you it takes a bit of experience and trial & error to make them look nice. For any other style build, I think the factory style stuff looks right. I would challenge anyone anyone to make up a set from scratch that will fit as well as the stock stuff (or Inline, Classic Tube, etc.). BTW, it isn't the brake fluid that hurts them, it's the moisture absorbed by the fluid that booger's them up. Nobody ever stays up on flushing the system like we're supposed to. Just my .02 cents.

[Jakes-66-K10]

Oddly enough, I just posted a new set of prebent lines in the parts board. Not sure if that's what you're after.

Personally on my truck the brake lines that are easy to get to (like the rear axle lines) are the ones worth saving some bucks on because I can do that myself even when the truck is fully assembled. However, I just converted from a 1970 non power system to a 1972 power disc setup, and although I could have saved a little money trying to figure out the brake lines, I just went with a kit. Everything was in place, and it just wasn't worth it to me to try and bend all the lines myself, especially with the engine installed. It took only an hour or so to install the entire front end lines, and I didn't have to worry about making dozens of small bends.

But like I say, my axle lines I did myself.

[Joe67]

My plan is to run the ss set from Inlinetube.com as well (they are local for me anyway)
No experience bending here and I don't want this truck to be my first time

[CG]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I build my own. Once you know how to double flare, it's a snap.

I can build all new ones for what shipping alone would cost on a prebent sent from a supplier somewhere.

this seems to come up farely often. and it seems like people are always having trouble. i would love to see a thread that gives a step by step with pictures on how to do a double flare correctly. im all for saving money...tosses ball into txfirefighters court...

[Ed ke6bnl]

Originally Posted by Guardrail

IMO it would depend on what style vehicle I was building. If it's a Street Rod type truck (lotsa aftermarket stuff, chrome, polished stuff, etc.), I'll make my own. But I must tell you it takes a bit of experience and trial & error to make them look nice. For any other style build, I think the factory style stuff looks right. I would challenge anyone anyone to make up a set from scratch that will fit as well as the stock stuff (or Inline, Classic Tube, etc.). BTW, it isn't the brake fluid that hurts them, it's the moisture absorbed by the fluid that booger's them up. Nobody ever stays up on flushing the system like we're supposed to. Just my .02 cents.

I made new ones for my streetrod and they look great I went with double stainless lines through the frame for the rear brakes and got rid of the tubing running accross the axle clean. There is definately a learning curve for the double flare especially if you don't by a 200-300 dollars tool. My trick was to put the flare block in the VICE when it was time to do the double fair there is a lot of pressure needed to get the flare done. They all worked and has fot he past year. Lot of money saved. You could even go with stainless steel and a 37 degree fairs and all AN fitting for the price of prebent I think. Ed ke6bnl good experience and I take price it what I did. I made my own bender and the bend and all look real custom. Ed ke6bnl

[BubbaGreen]

Let me just say this, either way can be frustating.
I kept my original lines and used them as patterns....I knew this ahead of time and removed the originals with care. If you dont have the old ones, for instance, I have added master power brakes to mine and needed to make lines from the *very different* proportioning valve to the frame, I used 3/16 line and bent it up until I was happy..then pretty much used it as a pattern for the 1/4. Bending lines and making them look "factory" is an art, requires patience. IF you go the SST route, the line itself is harder to bend and harder to get "good" ends without the proper tool. Inline tube SST line kits dont include the SST nuts at the end of the tubes (might be an upgrade). I also purchased SST lines from them for a 700R4 and they dont fit well at all (working on modifying the bends at this time) hopefully I can make them work.
If you decide to make 37deg fittings on SST line, buy a "GOOD" tool for this or you will be disappointed. One last comment....put the lines in BEFORE you install the motor/trans inner fenders, etc....working from above is much easier than crawling under your truck 1000Times to fit a tube (dont ask how I know this)

[LUV2XCLR8]

I bought a SS kit for my master cyclinder? from Tim Christian, it may have
come from Inline, who knows, fit was almost perfect, & I was very happy
with the price I got, I'm to darn lazy to try and make them, just my $.02

[bs25j]

what do u guyst think about the stainless steel brake kit in lmc for like 300 dollars.. i was thinkn about goin that direction but im not sure..

[68haywagon]

I don't know about LMC's quality but the inlinetube stuff is under $200, plus i have heard bad things about LMC.

Mike

[72swbcamo]

I had to replace the brake lines on the rear of my tow truck, 1 ton duelly.
I sent the old lines to Classic Tubing and they made up new SS lines. They fit perfect. Cost $45 plus shipping but it was well worth the money. No grief or aggravation. Nice folks to work with also. Take a look at their website: www.classictube.com.

[Jim_PA]

I'm not sure how well this technique works (haven't tried to do it yet), but here's a how-to on double flaring.

http://classicbroncos.com/brake_line_flaring.shtml