Another brake upgrade question.

[ERASER5]

Like Lil' Joe, I have an entire front frame section of a early 80s truck. I am planing the rebuild the arms, new rotor, and the brakes line w/ prop valve. The tie rods will be checked and replace if needed.

My question #1 is will the drag link tappered holes will fit at the idler arm and the pitman arm? Or do I need to use the 80ish pitman arm and redrill the frame for the 80ish idler (I think the mounting hole will be differant) ?

Question #2 is a how to connect the rubber line/ hard line juction. The drum brake has the hard line going under the frame to a tab on the lower A-arm. The 80s frome has the rubber line going through the frame. Should I just drill a hole and make the connection?

Thanks for any help.

[dave2953]

When I did mine I used the idler from the donor vehicle. The original pitman arm should fit the donor truck's draglink. The pitman arms are different on the steering box end, but the same on the draglink end. As for the brake lines, I used the front hard lines from the donor truck and routed them through holes already in my frame. Here is a pic of how I routed them.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

dave2953 - looks good

[dave2953]

Thanks Greasemonkey; I thought about drilling holes until I realized there were already some there I could use.

[ERASER5]

Thanks DAVE2953. That is what I needed to know.

On with the rebuild!