howziit again guys!
buying NAPA steel brake lines(cheap) and a bender really is all you need. not even a double flaring tool is needed, if you plan right.
i just finished bending the lines, for my shortened 9" **** rear end, in my '56 chevy truck. one 30" tubing, 1 20" tubing, and the t-fitting and hose that was under there(who knows WHAT the PO got it from?lol)
i doubt if they have prebent lines for my situation. maybe they can make me custom ones, if i crawled under there, and gave them the specs, including the EXACT location of my FOUR u-bolts, shock locations, length of my rear end and each axle tube, plate to plate,etc.
for the total sum of $5...and change, i had CUSTOM-BENT(by me) steel brake lines. heck, i didn't even have to cut and re-flare!
i'm not knocking prebent SS lines, if that's what you want. i'm just saying that anyone(except my PO), any amateur can get the job done, and be durn proud of his work.
if you feel guilty about the cheap fix, you can always farm out the job. the mechanic will probably factor in about 1-2 hours' labor rate, and charge you retail for the same NAPA lines. after leaving your truck for the better part of the day, he might even relate to you how hard it was, to "custom bend" the lines. that'll make you feel better, for being charged maybe $100 or so, for the rear brake lines alone.
i also upgraded to 3/8" steel NAPA fuel lines, from electric fuel pump to regulator. they were so cheap, i forget the price. since i didn't have a "union fitting" on hand, i used a 2" fuel hose, to connect the long lines.(i left the flare and the nuts on, so i could install the "union", at a later date.)
it took me longer to create this reply, than to install the fuel lines AND the brake lines.
BTW, i'm 56 years old. if the new steel lines wear out before i die, i'm looking forward to bending brake lines again!
it is as simple(and as easy) as i make it sound.
