anyone install an In-line set-up?

[F-100Ranger]

I've been a member for a long time (but the computer quit adding my posts about a year ago) and should know this answer.

I'm ready to buy a stainless set-up from In-Line Tube, but they don't have a standard set-up for those of us converting to the F-150 front disc brakes.

I have a '68 2-wheel LWB with '79 front disc front brakes. I like to use our distribution block, and know I need to add an ajustable proporting valve.

Have any of you bought from In-Line? What did you do to make their stainless lines work? Where did you put the proporting valve and what brand did you use?

I'd like to install it before I deploy May 14th. Please - someone - anyone?

[MadMaxetc]

I would see if they could do a combo kit. 79 front and 68 in the rear. On my old 79 the Distribution box was on top of the stearing gear box. So you might have to do one peice that runs from the rear SS line to the block. Also the lines on th 79 come over the frame to the brackets fro the front hoses, so you might need to install those too.

Just some thoughts. I have never done it.

Let us know what hapens.

[F-100Ranger]

So you're saying '68 set-up to the distribution block. then that's where I lose you. Can you please clarify?

[MadMaxetc]

Yes 68 in the rear. This will do from the rear axle to the back side of the front crossmember. From there you could do one of 2 things...

1) Keep the 68 front tubes and just re-bend them to fit the Disk brake distribution/proportioning valve.

2) Get the front setup from the 79 and add a line to go from the distribution/proportioning valve to the rear line. You will have to do this because the Valve is above the stearing box and the rear line ends down by the crossmember.

Any clearer? I can draw a picture if you want.

[FORDification]

First of all, stainless tubing is extremely hard. You can't easily reflare the lines...something you'd need to do when you add an inline adjustable valve. Depending on where you get the brake lines though, you can have them manufacture it specifically set up and pre-flared for the valve...but it's probably not something the average Joe is going to be able to adequately tackle. On my '67 442, I ordered the stainless lines from Inline Tube, and told them I also wanted to add an inline manual-adjust valve, so they specially manufactured mine to allow for that.

Second, a disc brake setup NEEDS the proportioning valve to function 100% correctly. Yes, you can probably get by with the drum-brake distribution block, but you have to keep in mind that the prop valve does more than just distribute brake fluid....which is all the distribution block does. It also meters the fluid to compensate for the differences in how disc and drum brakes operate. Read the info on the following link...it should help you understand why you really need a prop valve with disc brakes:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/master-brake2.htm

You can still add an adjustable valve to fine-tune things, in addition to the factory prop valve, but the manually-adjustable valve isn't supposed to be a replacement for a prop valve.

[F-100Ranger]

Keith or Madmaxetc.

I spoke with a rep at In-Line. They'll make custom lines, but to know a couple of things. Then I need to send a template line.

They suggest inserting an after market proporting valve somwhere in the 68 rear line behind the distribution block but couldn't recommend exactly where.

Keith, oh great one, just say where it should go. Seriously, we should all have a standard place where we put these so that all otheres doing this can easily follow. And yea, a drawing would be helpful for those of us new to rebuilding a truck from the ground up - my dog's life may depend on this.

[FORDification]

He's correct...it needs to be placed between the prop valve and the rear brakes. The exact placement isn't important, and long as it's out of the way but semi-easy to get to.

If it was me, I'd actually install it inside the cab, right down along the lower door, where the auxiliary fuel tank switch would normally be located. Then you wouldn't have to crawl up under the truck when it was time to adjust it...plus it would be more protected from the elements and would look trick. I'd pick up some regular 3/16" brake line and bend/flare it as needed (both pieces, on each side of the adjuster), and then remove them and ship them off to be duplicated with stainless line.

You can get the lever style:

http://www.magnumforceracing.com/store/ ... rch=&Page=

or the knob style:

http://www.magnumforceracing.com/store/ ... rch=&Page=

I'd recommend the knob style for you.

[MadMaxetc]

I'd pick up some regular 3/16" brake line and bend/flare it as needed (both pieces, on each side of the adjuster), and then remove them and ship them off to be duplicated with stainless line.

This is not as bad as it sounds. The line is cheep. less than a $1 per foot, so you could do your whole truck for under $40 I bet. I would do what Keith said and use the stock proportioning valve from the 79 and then send all the tubs in and get the SS.