I need to redo the brake hardlines on my axles what brake forming tools do you recommend? I need to do the flares too.
Builds Cruisermatt's FJ62 Build-up
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Highly highly highly recommend the Eastwood flare tool. One of my absolute favorites in my arsenal and makes what was previously an annoying chore into a joy. Perfect flares every time.
You can also get a die to use it to make AN/JIC flares as well.
There’s a few companies that make this and they are all identical, with Eastwood you can usually find a coupon though.
It’s not a cheap one but mine has payed for itself several times over already working on others’ local Cruisers.
Other tools you’ll want are a good mini pipe cutter (you need straight cuts for the flare tool to work right), a decent mini bender, and maybe a straightener if you want it to come out nice. Eastwood sells all these too.
I’d recommend getting a 25ft coil of stainless tube for the lines. It’s worth it.
You can also get a die to use it to make AN/JIC flares as well.
There’s a few companies that make this and they are all identical, with Eastwood you can usually find a coupon though.
It’s not a cheap one but mine has payed for itself several times over already working on others’ local Cruisers.
Other tools you’ll want are a good mini pipe cutter (you need straight cuts for the flare tool to work right), a decent mini bender, and maybe a straightener if you want it to come out nice. Eastwood sells all these too.
I’d recommend getting a 25ft coil of stainless tube for the lines. It’s worth it.
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Sorry Hojack, I never answered this, is it too late or do you still want a measurement?
Hojack
♠️Project Snowball❄️
It’d be nice to have.
I’m just comparing our measurements.
Tnanks
I’m just comparing our measurements.
Tnanks
I've been eyeing this, but was curious about Eastwood's quality. I've seen this tool from other companies that were like double in price. I am definitely going to pick this up then.
@BMValentine
I use the Rigid manual flaring tool I bought used on eBay. Prep is everything. Proper deburing and filing makes flaring copper nickel line a breeze. I have no trouble making good repeatable double flares. That being said, I wouldn't want to do an entire truck with stainless steel using it. That's when I think the higher models come into play.
345 Manual Flare Tools | Wrenches & Tubing Tools | RIDGID Tools
I use the Rigid manual flaring tool I bought used on eBay. Prep is everything. Proper deburing and filing makes flaring copper nickel line a breeze. I have no trouble making good repeatable double flares. That being said, I wouldn't want to do an entire truck with stainless steel using it. That's when I think the higher models come into play.
345 Manual Flare Tools | Wrenches & Tubing Tools | RIDGID Tools
eventually I am going to rerun the entirity of the truck, so I want to set myself up now.
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Yup. On an FJ62 you can really clean up the passenger side frame rail going to a single brake line (LSPV delete) and single fuel line (return-less). I don’t get tired
of this sight, I do which I had done stainless instead of the coated steel for the brake line though. The fuel line is stainless.
I was scrolling through looking for your brake line pictures. this looks good, I will aspire to this when I re-run mine.
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Idaho Savage
GOLD Star
That is a thing of beauty. My LS swap has a not-so-pretty blend of materials that comprise the fuel delivery.
For the uninitiated, how difficult is it to learn the ins and outs of creating brake lines, fuel lines, etc., given the proper tools and materials?
For the uninitiated, how difficult is it to learn the ins and outs of creating brake lines, fuel lines, etc., given the proper tools and materials?
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Nothin' to it!
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Seriously though. Making a functional system is easy. Making it art will take some practice. I don't claim to be a master.
Hojack
♠️Project Snowball❄️
pandasfj
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What kind of fuel line brackets are those ? They look clean.
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Thanks. I made them.
Did you have any issues flaring the stainless pipe?
I've got the same tool and when I tried to flare stainless it seems to take huge amounts of pressure (felt like it was going to break the tool).
Looks good though
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I’m not Randy but I’ve used the Ridged flare tools like he linked a bunch too, no real issues with stainless besides needing to take a bit more care to ream and debur on bigger tube diameters like 3/8” or 1/2”.
No issues on brake line sized tube, but the big flare tool like I have just blows those puny things out of the water. It’s just got more leverage plain and simple.
Matt if you were my neighbor I would bug the s*** out of you every time I saw you go into your garage!
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You'd always be welcome
I'll have some updates about my Cruiser soon. I have been driving it a bunch, it's pretty much been my daily driver since the conversion. Put a few longer day trips on it. How ever there's still lots to do, after this weekend I have a few weeks off and lots of parts piled up to install.
@Feistl
The basic Rigid flaring tool I have is capable of stainless and the OEM steel brake lines. It takes more effort and I am confident it would do an entire truck. As matt has surmised it takes more effort and time.
After using copper nickel line I feel no need to ever touch stainless unless there was a very specific reason. The stainless line is much harder so it may handle gravel impact or dents better?
The basic Rigid flaring tool I have is capable of stainless and the OEM steel brake lines. It takes more effort and I am confident it would do an entire truck. As matt has surmised it takes more effort and time.
After using copper nickel line I feel no need to ever touch stainless unless there was a very specific reason. The stainless line is much harder so it may handle gravel impact or dents better?
