More brake questions...

[mylittlecj5]

After reading thru this thread on here, I got to tinkering with my brakes again.
Now I find that I may have to modify my brake pedal to use the YJ master cylinder/booster I installed last year, according to this post on JF. It may not be possible to find a YJ pedal around here, so that option is very Limited .
So I am looking into other (cheap) options for power brakes on my CJ.

So now I have a few random questions.
Is the stock CJ booster/bracket really that bad? I can get a complete setup off Ebay for cheap, but I have heard the linkage used on them is not the greatest. It might be the closest to a bolt in I can find, however.

Does anyone know where I can get just the hard lines between the CJ master cylinder and the stock CJ PV? I seem to have misplaced mine. If I can find a set of these, maybe I can use a stock CJ master cylinder and make the YJ booster work. (thanks Derf for the idea...). I don't have the tools to make my own lines...

Anyone have another idea?
I can't afford VANCO, and a hydroboost doesn't seem to work well with 4 drum brakes. I can't afford to convert the front over yet... Being broke sucks...

 

[BusaDave9]

Is the stock CJ booster/bracket really that bad? I can get a complete setup off Ebay for cheap, but I have heard the linkage used on them is not the greatest. It might be the closest to a bolt in I can find, however.

That may be your best bet. I have never had any problems with the linkage.
Manual brake master cylinder is always different than a power brake cylinder (manual has the linkage attached, power has a separate rod). If you stick with CJ brakes it should be a strait forward swap.

Does anyone know where I can get just the hard lines between the CJ master cylinder and the stock CJ PV? I seem to have misplaced mine. If I can find a set of these, maybe I can use a stock CJ master cylinder and make the YJ booster work. (thanks Derf for the idea...). I don't have the tools to make my own lines...

I would go to NAPA. They can sell you hard lines the correct length. You may have to shape them but it's easy if you get a brake tube bender. Here are 3 types. I prefer the middle one. It costs about $10. (pay no attention to the "tube kinker" label) The bottom one costs about $2 but it specializes in one size. It may work fine but I would first compare it to the brake line you are buying.

 

[mylittlecj5]

Thanks Busa! I have the small one on the bottom of your pic, but the problem around here is I can't get the prebuilt hard lines in the size I need for some reason. I have been to every parts house in this little burg, and bought 6 different sizes of premade lines/fittings. None of them will fit both fittings, MC and PV (and the adapters are non-existent here as well). Since I don't have a way to flare my own double flares, I can't just make up my own. I may end up just going to classictube.com for those.
If i were to get the stock style booster, am I going to regret it? I mean will I be wanting to swap it out again in a year or so for better performance with my 35" tires?

 

[73CJ]

Availability should not an issue, Don't be afraid to buy them on the Internet.

Measure the fitting and take your pick -NAPA or equivalent.

They are cheap. So are adapters, but you should not have to use adapters.

 

[mylittlecj5]

UPDATE:
I found an out of town shop to build me a set of lines. The twist is that they are industrial DOT approved flexible lines (3000+ PSI burst). This allowed me to get the right fittings on each end, and not have to deal with bending the lines to the MC and PV valve.
I guess I'm the test rig on these, but thats just because I've never seen them installed in this position before. At the wheels, sure. I have some there also. These are not steel braid coated, tho, so I have to protect them from heat. Thats no problem.

 

[BusaDave9]

Measure the fitting and take your pick -NAPA or equivalent.

Measure carefully. I remember someone else on this site having to make several trips to get the correct fittings.
Also for about $30 you can get a brake line flaring tool.

PBE 9MS AP7826 - double flaring brake line tool kit
Check out this link to make your brake lines.
YouTube - How to Replace Steel Brake Lines : How to Make a Custom Brake Line

 

[73CJ]

Lots of ways to sink a cat.