All new brake lines on my 1995 F150

Since I had my truck towed home after looking at the rusty brake lines, I figure at minimum it needs new front brake lines. My wife could have been hurt bad in an accident if the line didn't give out where it did.

If I were to want to replace all my rusty lines so that I don't have any problems for a very long time, what is my best option? I drive in snow with all the salt on the road and use the truck to tow, so brake problems aren't an option.

Any suggestions on types or brands of lines to use? I can already tell those lines are going to be a PITA to deal with, so I want to do it once, the right way.

The vehicle:
1995
Ford
F150
5.0
4x4
Extended Cab
Cruise Control

I just had a topic on the same issue, only with my Eclipse:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/making-your-own-fuelbrake-lines/57021/page1/

My plan of attack is to get the PolyArmor stuff from PepVanceZone, a Ridgid tubing bender and cutter from Amazon, and see if I can find some brake/fuel lines from a j/y Eclipse. If the j/y lines are in good shape, I will swap those in. If the j/y lines are in bad shape, then I will practice bending using the j/y lines as a template before replacing the lines on the Eclipse. Mine don't need to be replaced yet, but they will need to be replaced soon.

Well do the right thing do every darn line on the thing cause there all the sme age and even if ones been replaced at some point its still old. Do the whole truck. The guys over on fordtrucks.com might know if theres anyone selling pre-bent kit some are availible some not. Not cheap but nice if you don't want to bend'em up yourself.

I just use the polyarmor stuff and whatever flare nuts the parts store sells. I have good luck with the cheap flare kits, though many don't. Any line with more than light surface rust on it is to be considered overdue for replacement.

The other option is to use cunifer line, a lot more expensive, but it will not rust and is easier to work with.

Probably best to do the hoses while you;re at it if they have never been changed.

44Dwarf wrote: Well do the right thing do every darn line on the thing cause there all the sme age and even if ones been replaced at some point its still old. Do the whole truck. The guys over on fordtrucks.com might know if theres anyone selling pre-bent kit some are availible some not. Not cheap but nice if you don't want to bend'em up yourself.

^This. Buddy of mine had a line rot out in his truck. Paid a shop stupid money to bend up and install a new line. A few weeks later he has another leak, different line, asks me to look at it. Every hardline in the truck was corroded and the one that was leaking ran right next to the new one, how the shop let that leave with a clear conscience is beyond me. We bent up replacements for the rest. Not a terribly fun job, but not terrible either.

My best advice is to do them all. Once one goes, they all go in short order. Also check your fuel lines while you're at it...

Well, then they all will be done. In fact this will give me time to do a few things I wanted to do like bodywork as well. I've got my fathers 30 years worth of tools to use, so bending lines won't be a problem. I figure I can coat the lines to keep them from corroding. After a little research, I'll get started and document.

First I need to find a cheap car to replace the Escort....

use Conifer tubing and don't worry about coating them they'll out last the truck. http://store.fedhillusa.com/

In reply to 44Dwarf:

I'll check that out.

(EDIT) I'm liking the prices.

The fedhill line and their flaring tool are the best!

Dunno about you but my time is valuable. Just buy the prevent kit. http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fd/full.aspx?Page=137

Lmc truck to the rescues $200 and stainless steel to boot.

I bought a similar kit from classic tube for a jeep. Saved days of frustration not hours.

In reply to dj06482:

This. I did up all the brake lines earlier this year in my rolling rust pile that was once a 97 f150. Not a terrible job, but once you channel your inner OCD, you'll be fine. For me the worst part was sliding out from and under the truck about 5000 times.

mine was the same as tpwalsh ... 'cept on a slopping gravel driveway/parking area .. I just said bleh and let the garage do it