Braided Flex Hose Options for Rear ZJ Discs

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Apr 17, 2015 | 09:08 PM
  #1  
Hi guys,

Recently had a front caliper seize on my '01 XJ while driving to work. I replaced the caliper under warranty, but still had seizing issues afterwards. I'm leaning towards it being a failing brake hose since the seizing is intermittent, so I ordered new braided flex hoses for the front. But since I've noticed my hardline running from the front to rear along the frame rail is badly rusted I figured I'd replace that as well. And since I've got the same issue many of you have (the Jeep thingy), I figure I should take the opportunity to replace/upgrade a bunch of other stuff too while I've got everything apart. Hence my question...

I did a rear disc conversion a few years ago from a junkyard '96 ZJ, and since I'm replacing the front flex hoses and the rear upper hose with braided stainless I figured I'd do the two rear flex hoses as well...but I can't find them anywhere (Crown, Summit, Quadratec, JEGS, etc.). Does anybody know where to find a set? I know I don't need ZJ specific hoses, nor do they need to be any longer than the stock rubber hoses (@ 6") since they're mounted to the axle tube. So pretty much any short stainless hose with the same ends will do (preferably DOT approved since it's my DD).

Thanks for any help.
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Apr 18, 2015 | 04:06 AM
  #2  
The hoses I uses were 2000 S10.

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Apr 18, 2015 | 06:45 AM
  #3  
Thanks for the response. I see that you used the rubber flex hoses. Did you try to find them in braided stainless?

I want to completely eliminate rubber hoses from the brake system to improve the pedal feel. I don't see the point of running braided stainless in the front while still using expandable rubber in the rear.
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Apr 18, 2015 | 07:30 AM
  #4  
I was just giving you a reference for size.

If you cannot find S10 hoses......go to NAPA and have them made while you wait.

IIRC they will be about $25-30 each.


I ran braided on motorcycles where you will literally feel the difference.....on a truck, not so much and not worth the $120++ all around.
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Apr 18, 2015 | 11:58 AM
  #5  
I used the Crown ones for the front they are Braided Stainless covered with a rubber coating best of both worlds, cost is a bit higher but worth it IMHO.
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Apr 18, 2015 | 12:28 PM
  #6  
Quote: I was just giving you a reference for size.

If you cannot find S10 hoses......go to NAPA and have them made while you wait.

IIRC they will be about $25-30 each.


I ran braided on motorcycles where you will literally feel the difference.....on a truck, not so much and not worth the $120++ all around.
10-4...I've been using the ZJ soft lines since I did the swap. They look about the same size as the ones you show. They're around $20 for a decent set online, but all in OEM rubber.
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Apr 18, 2015 | 12:45 PM
  #7  
Quote: I used the Crown ones for the front they are Braided Stainless covered with a rubber coating best of both worlds, cost is a bit higher but worth it IMHO.
Yep, I ordered the Crown stock height YJ set (2 front and 1 upper rear hose). Crown doesn't make a set for the ZJ lower rears and not sure what would be a good alternative. Did any TJ years have rear discs? What about JKs or other solid axle trucks with rear discs?
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Apr 18, 2015 | 03:37 PM
  #8  
I had a set made local at a hydraulic hose supply place when I swapped in an 8.8 on my last XJ. They were made to my specific length and cost about half of what the ones online do. I think ECGS offers them for the 8.8 disc soft lines. But I'm not positive they are the same size ends. Probably a little googling would answer that question.
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Apr 19, 2015 | 12:22 PM
  #9  
Russ P over at the naxja forums, has his own shop and can make ss lines with whatever fittings/length you want.
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Apr 20, 2015 | 08:39 AM
  #10  
Crown Performance built mine - I just told them exactly how I wanted it to look and what the connections needed to be. After about a 15min conversation - I got these...

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Apr 20, 2015 | 08:37 PM
  #11  
Since Crown is just the next town over, I had them build braided lines to replace the entire hardline on the rear axle from the block out to each ZJ caliper. It came out very nice and has been working fine for years.
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Apr 20, 2015 | 08:51 PM
  #12  
Thanks for the advice guys. I hadn't thought to simply call Crown to see if they'd work something up for me. It would be nice to have a matching set to what I've already ordered from them.
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Apr 20, 2015 | 09:33 PM
  #13  
Quote: Russ P over at the naxja forums, has his own shop and can make ss lines with whatever fittings/length you want.
Do you happen to have his contact info? Not to thread jack but I need some made ASAP. Thanks!
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Apr 21, 2015 | 11:53 AM
  #14  
Quote: Do you happen to have his contact info? Not to thread jack but I need some made ASAP. Thanks!
Yeah Ian...I thought it looked like we're having a similar problem.
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May 19, 2015 | 01:38 PM
  #15  
Just for reference...called Crown and ordered a custom set. Cost me $40 and match my front set.

Thanks for the advice everybody.
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