Builds My 45PU has an LV for a friend...

[c2dfj45]

I started off the day robbing my basket case 76 FJ40 of it's 4 way brake union. It won't miss it for the time being. Installed it on the driver's side frame rail.

Rounded up some standard 3/16" fittings for the master cylinder and got to work forming some brake lines. If you have never used nickel copper brake line.....you're missing out. How I missed this stuff for as long as I did is beyond me. It's incredible. Get some and get the tool in my next post. It's life transforming.

Got the lines bent up....really happy with them. Tomorrow I'll get the pump installed and plumb that.

 

[c2dfj45]

This tool from Inline Tube company, Inline Tube, The Professional Restorers #1 Choice in Brake Products, is probably the best tool I have ever bought. Period. Along with the nickel copper brake line, this thing makes brake line fabrication an absolute dream. I look forward every time I get to use this thing. I was showing it to our tool guy today....I love showing it off. It's incredible. Buy one. You'll be in heaven when it comes to brake lines.

 

[SuperDuperCruizer]

I’ve been eyeing Eastwood brand of the same tool....

Professional Brake Tubing Flaring Tool - Eastwood

Same regular price but it’s on sale at the moment

 

[c2dfj45]

Buy it. You'll thank yourself that first time you pull that lever. I joke around with people that I show it to that when one of our buddies who brought his over to show me, it was like the clouds parted and a beam of perfect sunlight illuminated it. Ha. One of the most satisfying tools to use too. Can't say enough good things about it.

 

[JLawson]

That does look like a much nicer tool than my old Sear tube flare! Like the placement of the controls in the ash tray. Will be changing mine over. Where do you get that brake line?

 

[c2dfj45]

Amazon for the line. I buy it without the fittings. Order yourself a bunch of 10mm fittings if you are switching over to the 10mm size. I buy 2 rolls usually for a build, you'll end up redoing a few lines depending on complexity. We make every line out of this stuff...even the hard caliper lines if need be. They have it in larger sizes for fuel lines too. Nice stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/Roll-Copper-...sr=8-3&keywords=nickel+copper+brake+line+3+16

Trust me...that tool makes life a lot easier. It's a big expense for something that you won't use daily but when you do have to use it, it's great. I did one line 6 times today because I was pretty much talentless it seems and that tool was the only thing that made it tolerable. It's incredibly enjoyable to use....maybe because of all the years fighting with the standard tubing flare kits and my hatred of them, old rusty FJ40 brake lines, brake fluid, brake wheel cylinders, leaking masters, leaking everything. Ha. As a true TLC enthusiast, I have had my ass kicked by brakes over the course of 2 and a half decades fighting with them. No more.

 

[c2dfj45]

These were the fuel return and supply llines for my FZJ79 project that we used the nickel copper line on. They were a lifesaver. We stretched this chassis 14" so we needed all new lines. I'm not sure how I would have done it with conventional steel lines. Obviously it could be done but the time it would have taken would have been a lot more.

Used it for the supercharger's vacuum lines too....it polishes up incredibly well if that's your thing. Apparently it was my think on the 79 because the lines were polished under the hood.

The only thing I didn't do on the 79 was use a tubing straightener to get the lines perfectly straight with. They have a few wiggles in them.

I ordered a straightener last night for the longer runs on the 45LV and the other projects in the shop. Can be a pain in the ass to unroll the coil and get the lines straight.

 

[c2dfj45]

Was able to run the pressure line from the brake pump to the master cylinder(last port)......

It's tucked inside the rib and exits out towards the bottom of the pump...then up and over. The 6th try was the charm. Ha.

 

[JLawson]

Nice clean job! I will have to consider the expense.

 

[c2dfj45]

You could probably buy it, use it, sell it for $30 less than you bought it for.

 

[c2dfj45]

Today was a plumbing day....running our heater lines and a couple AC lines. I am trying to keep the amount of lines visible to a minimum...should be pretty clean in this engine compartment....all of this gets covered by the air cleaner assembly.

 

[c2dfj45]

We are using some of the Gates Power Grip hose clamps on the heater lines(mainly on the bulkhead since we have no room for a clamp behind the bulkhead). I have wanted to use these since I first saw them, can't believe it took this long to get around to it.

 

[c2dfj45]

Solid day today. AC hooked up for final., AC/heat bulkhead installed. Top side heater lines hooked up for final. Fan shroud installed...need to figure out something for the top of it...kind of bent and screwy....obviously some kind of repair. I have an idea for it though....it's of low priority though.

Air cleaner in...had to route an AC line around the air cleaner canister....really wanted everything underneath the canister but it just wan't going to happen. I'll have to get over it.

Tomorrow I will finish the front axle's brake lines....we left the calipers off for some reason so we will get the new ones on and hooked up. Running all new rubber hoses from frame to axle and axle to caliper...so making some new mounts for that since I shifted mine from passenger to driver. This kind of stuff is my favorite part...running lines, brackets, mounts.....fun times.

 

[c2dfj45]

Got some eyeballs in too....

 

[c2dfj45]

I found myself overly bothered by the coil location which means it needs to be moved. We made a slick bracket and put it above the AC compressor. Now my world is OK. First world problems for sure.

Completed front axle brake line. Made our air flow meter to throttle body piece too. Going to run the lines that connect to it behind it....so it will look nice and clean up front.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Quality work! Could you post a name or link to the brake line hold down clamps you used? I used a different type on my 55 and liking yours more better.

Thanks,

 

[c2dfj45]

Quality work! Could you post a name or link to the brake line hold down clamps you used? I used a different type on my 55 and liking yours more better.

Thanks,

Those pics of the lines running along the frame aren't of the 45LV....those were just pics of similar line I used for my brakes on the LV. Those clamps are OEM Toyota clamps...the truck we used for that was a 1997 FZJ80. Maybe you can still get them from Toyota. They were big though....fuel lines size.

I was looking at clamps over the weekend and found some neat stuff.

I thought these were cool:Camaro Brake Line Clamp Kit, 1969-1974 33-339498-1 | eBay

And these weren't bad...maybe painted black. They come in 1, 2, 3 and 4 line sizes:Line Clamps 812 3 Hole Alter Ego MC- BEAD BLAST FINISH w 3/16" PILOT HOLE INSERT | eBay

 

[scrapdaddy]

Thanks, I like the second example. I used some plastic clamps that look similar to those.

 

[c2dfj45]

I bought these over the weekend...they're really cool. These will be for my fuel supply and return lines. I also bought some for the rear brake lines...3/16". The lines simply snap into the fitting. Fitting is screwed or bolted thru wherever you are installing them on....cool part is, the screw is covered by the line...so they're pretty clean looking. They didn't have a 5/16" line clamp for some reason so I bought 1/4" and will drill them up a size.

www.notchhead.com

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

I used a stainless line clamp from summit or speedway. Helix Line Clamps