Thats not bad. They look vary high quality.

 

Yeah, I wanted to do braided lines like that, but I can't afford to get a quality set right now. I've heard bad things about the RC lines failing and if there's one weak point you don't want, it's brake lines. So I just got a set of YJ lines for mine.

 

Yeah I went with BDS because I think they're a better brand than RC.

I am trying to do away with Rough Country. I would like to change my entire setup in coming years.

 

Good to hear!!!

 

Neither BDS nor RC make their own brake lines. They are all made by Crown and exactly the same. Look at the blue sleeve on the middle of the lines...

 

Could be. BDS' Web site says their brake lines have 5 layers of protection. Rough Country only advertises 4 layers, but I'm not sure if they're being modest or if they're of a lower quality. Definitely a lower price.

This is an upgrade I've been meaning to do for a while and will let me start flexing out without the worry of snapping a brake line. I'm going to do that IRO long arm kit some time in the next year or two, and this is a great way to get the Jeep prepared.

 

You had the RC and the bds at the same time. Could you tell the difference in there appearance?

 

I didn't have them at the same time unfortunately – I used the money from the RC ones to help fund the BDS ones.

They are primarily the same in terms of looks. And as Dukie said, they probably are made by the same production line. The only difference I can tell is the BDS comes with a zip tie and had a blue BDS sticker on it instead of a generic gray DOT approved sticker.

But I'm boycotting RC right now due to a customer service issue that I didn't agree with, which is why I switched over to BDS.

 

Doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy about BDS and Crown now. I believe it was Clydesdale (Pabst Boys Roadhouse) who had a RC brake line blow on him. He's not the only one I've heard with this issue.

 

But with every aftermarket part you but on a rig there is a chance it could fail. I have seen stock and high pressure lines on drag cars blow and I'm not talking bout 200$ brake lines. On my uncles ultra 4 we had 2 blow and there suppose to be top of the line. It can happen with any mechanical part on a vehicle. Sorry to take it off topic, just get to me a bit. We tend to forget everything has a chance of breaking or failing. And when something does we always lay the blame on something else other than what really may have happened.. now I have ran rc lines on 2 rigs and one yj. Never ever had any issues and the have seen about everything from rocks, trails, mud, creeks, and even 100 mph down the hwy. With no issues. I don't mean to anger anyone if I do just my .02 on brake lines.

 

I have heard stories of both OEM rubber and aftermarket brake lines popping. In fact, my 15-year old OEM rubber brake lines are probably more likely to pop than a new set of braided stainless steel (Teflon core) brake lines.

It's all in how you use them. And honestly, there's no metric to say one's better than the other. OEM are a proven way to go, and perhaps a set of OEM Dodge Ram lines would be better than these, but overall, every technician and mechanic I've talked to has said that braided stainless steel are the absolute top of the line and even racecar drivers use them.

So it's a tough choice. Keep the conversation going and let's spill some ideas here.

 

my lines are from RC/Crown. No issues thus far except the outer plastic coating cracking a bit near the caliper banjo fitting

 

How long have you been running those?

I looked at the BDS ones and they do not say Crown on them, but I don't doubt that you are correct. One thing I'm proud to see is the "Made in U.S.A." and "DOT" markings.

 

Since May 2012.

The blue sleeve at the middle of the lines has the Crown logo (Big C wearing a crown). Mine had the same thing.

 

Yep, now I see what you're talking about.

The BDS ones may have had to pass more stringent tests than the RC ones and may be made with better quality materials. Hence the price.

Kind of like going to Advance auto parts and ordering a thermostat, you can get the Economy one or the Premium one for more dime, albeit, they're from the same manufacturer.