Extended brake lines question

[ww2steel]

Hello. I bought some Goodridge front brake lines a while ago and they didn't fit. Both my '80 and '82 CJ5s have a hex hole in the tang sticking off the frame (top of the hose). The Goodridge ones have a top fitting like my Chevy truck that is round with one side milled flat. I don't really care how much it costs, I just need it fixed. (Also the Goodridge ones didn't leave enough room on the back side to put the frame clip on.)

Does anyone know of an aftermarket +4" brake hose that actually fits? I see many brands out there but none of the pics are good enough to actually see the fittings.

Also, much less important, can you still get OEM gas gauges? Those Chinese ones look goofy, in my opinion.

Thanks! Mike

 

[Torxhead]

You might be able to find a brake shop that could build a set for you. I have the Goodridge lines on my '86 that fit just fine, they are p/n D-FBL-40, btw. I saw a fellow club member move the hard line below the frame, rather than thru it and was able to use the oem brake lines on a 4" lift. OEM gas gauges were made by Stewart-Warner, and I don't think you can get them anymore, they were Chrysler p/n 4740791, in case you want to try.

 

[PaRenegade]

The round end with a flat is okay as long as it fits inside the hex and the backside holds it against it. I have Russels and they are the same way. And the clip takes a pair of channel locks to put it on, it fits tight. Do you have any pics?

 

[ww2steel]

My original end is in the first post, here's the Goodridge one. (They were in one pic but I had to split and resize to get under the 19.5k of the server.) If you look at both, the little yellow line is shorter on the Goodridge (also being sold as Rugged Ridge). That yellow line is the thickness allowed for the frame tang. The Goodridge is shorter, and doesn't allow the clip to slide in. I know it's a tight fit but if the clip is (estimating) 80 thousands thick, there were only something like 50 thousandths of gap, not even counting the spring shape of the clip.

To update, I just ordered front lines from Morris 4x4- the Crown Performance extended lines. I'll update as to fit. I also inquired into an American company that makes stainless brake lines, and can do custom lines. Since mine has a body lift and CJ7 widetrack axles, the kits offered by everyone else would not work. I had the right, rear axle line literally blow out on me. Thankfully I have a habit of a brake check (from flying) at the start of taxi. I did that brake check just after starting the engine and POP, rear brakes failed. I read that the original ones are mild steel. The one that popped was one I put on maybe 15 years ago.