Were the 1996 XJs shipped from the factory with Mopar/Chrysler front brake calipers?

 

I'm going to say yes to this one.

Why do you ask?

Keep in mind, the car companies are basically assembly plants. They buy their parts from some company and then assemble the product and sell it to the consumer.

 

True, and the reason I ask is I do recall the driver's side has been replaced at least once, don't remember on passenger side. So, if I am in a junk yard and I see n XJ around my year, I might as well pull the wheels off and see if it has a MOPAR family marking on the calipers to snag and rebuild for mine.

 

By the time you rebuild them yourself, you could have had bought a decent one at NAPA, all ready to go. And what is your time worth?

 

Yes.

The idea here is I could yank authentic MOPAR ones at the junk yard while I am getting other brake stuff and keep what I have in service. Take my time and do a little here and there in spare time. When I am ready to replace the rotors, can put the refreshed calipers on too.

Right now I am sold on having Royal Brass & Hose make the flexible lines with stainless mesh covers, but they want examples to replicate. Going to get those from junk yard (I hope) to bring in so they can match fittings and length etc.

The long hardline is pretty crusty in mine, and the same place will make a new one out of nickle/copper, but I would rather go with stainless. Can snag one out of the junk yard to use as a pattern instead of taking mine apart first, get the 304 tube and have them match the fittings at NAPA and do that one up myself. When I change the flexible lines change that hardline too.

Going to replace the flex lines as soon as I have them and the hardline done I think.

 

If you are going to roll your own hardline, use NiCopp. It's more corrosion resistant than SS, and far easier to work with. Really, the ONLY reason to use SS is for the appearance.

Now, having said that, I have a box here with a complete set of SS lines ready to put into my 96, because it was on sale and I couldn't pass up the deal!

Hey, on those flex lines, I might be able to donate some. What's your time frame?

 

If the flex lines are stock length, any old time. At least a couple of weeks.

Question on the stainless shrouded flex lines, can those be clamped without damage? The PTFE or whatever on the inside seems pretty rigid compared to other hoses.

I got the Inline Tube rear axle stainless and installed a couple of weeks ago. But the only other kit they have is a full kit and I think I only need the long front to rear line, would need to buy a whole vehicle kit for that. Not seeing how NiCu lines are more corrosion resistant than 304 ss. If they are, can make that up myself easier than ss. Just want something under there that I don't have to look at, lol.

 

forget SS, use the NiCu, better in every respect, especially workability...the ends have to be formed properly, or they leak

 

Then I can let Royal Brass & Hose form that up too. Just need to decide how much stainless springamathing to put on it. Factory or full length.

My poor new NAPA tube flare tool is going to feel unwanted.