1994 8.8 caliper soft/hard line bracket fo narrowed differential

[fairlane292]

On my 1994 8.8 which has been narrowed approx 12" I would like to use new OEM calipers and soft/hard lines. The mount area on the axle tube that the small bracket on the soft/hard line attaches to (pic 2) was removed when the diff was narrowed. I'd like to try to use the OEM soft/hard lines and the attachment on them (pic 1). I can fabricate something but I'd really like to hear what folks out here have done when narrowing the SN diff and want to continue using the stock caliper and stock soft/hard line. I've attached a couple pictures but I'm pretty sure you all know exactly what I'm looking at. Thanks, Jim

 

[fairlane292]

I can always do something like this and forget the OEM line.

 

[duh09]

If the bracket attachement points on the axle have been removed, they’ll have to be added back to use the OE style soft lines and their attachments.

The hard lines won’t be able to be reused as they’re going to be too long now that the rearend is narrowed.

If it was my project, I’d probably just step away entirely from the OE style lines- there’s no real reason to use them if you’re basically starting from scratch. You can pick up tabs to weld to the axle for a couple bucks or one of the clamp style mounts like you posted. Stainless or rubber lines would be relatively easy to have made to your specs or finding a usable aftermarket line wouldn’t be hard either- just need to know the banjo fitting size and the thread of the hard lines.

 

[95opal]

When I did mine I reused the stock bracket and fabbed new stainless hard lines to new braided soft line. It will work either way with the stock or the aftermarket bracket you posted . I'm narrowed 6 1/2" overall. 12" is insane. What's your plan for wheels and lower control arms?

 

[ttocs]

making your own hard lines is not that hard or expensive. You can borrow/rent the bender/flare tool from vatozone, although if the flare tool has not been used correctly it might not get the ends perfectly. I found one at a local store that no matter what could not do a proper double flare perfectly enough to seal so I had to go back and get another. But a couple of youtube vids and practice once or twice and you can make what you need with out too much trouble.

 

[fairlane292]

Thanks everyone for your input. I’m doing a 302 T5 8.8 sleeper swap in a 1969 Datsun roadster. (thus the 12” narrowing). I’m trying to OE Ford parts where practical but yes I not be using the OE brackets after further thought and reading your comments. I will be using 94-98 rotors (in Datsun 4x4.5), calipers and likely all three e-brake cables with custom tunnel bracket and roadster e-brake handle.
i started with the rims 15x7 +30 and 225/45/15 tires for calculations and have already test fitted the narrowed 8.8 in the car. Have just started to plan out the brake lines and that’s where my question came from.

 

[95opal]

Thanks everyone for your input. I’m doing a 302 T5 8.8 sleeper swap in a 1969 Datsun roadster. (thus the 12” narrowing). I’m trying to OE Ford parts where practical but yes I not be using the OE brackets after further thought and reading your comments. I will be using 94-98 rotors (in Datsun 4x4.5), calipers and likely all three e-brake cables with custom tunnel bracket and roadster e-brake handle.
i started with the rims 15x7 +30 and 225/45/15 tires for calculations and have already test fitted the narrowed 8.8 in the car. Have just started to plan out the brake lines and that’s where my question came from.

Cool project that cleared up my questions thanks.

 

[fairlane292]

Cool project that cleared up my questions thanks.

Thanks so much. The custom fab work is one aspect of the build, the second is a full rotisserie restoration. I’ll be at this for a while.

 

[lwarrior1016]

Thanks so much. The custom fab work is one aspect of the build, the second is a full rotisserie restoration. I’ll be at this for a while.

Oh man, that is so cool! You should make a build thread and keep us updated with lots of pictures.

 

[fairlane292]

Oh man, that is so cool! You should make a build thread and keep us updated with lots of pictures.

I do plan to do a first round of that once I have the chassis and completed driveline all mocked up(before paint).

 

[duh09]

I was hoping for a Fairlane with a name like that but the Datsun is wicked!

 

[fairlane292]

I was hoping for a Fairlane with a name like that but the Datsun is wicked!

Well I do have a 100% rust free 1961 Fairlane 2 door (old lady bare bones with 292) that I put a 4 speed, Hurst, Auburn Posi, Crown Vic style dual exhaust) in, but then started with some subtle but cool metal fab however house building and family activities forced me to halt progress on it. It's been sitting for several years but I'm determined to get back to it. I've wanted to do a SBF in a Datsun Roadster for decades now and the right roadster roller and a complete donor car fell my way. The Fairlane will be easier in that there is no rust repair and very little chassis work and modest mechanics to be done. I would likely be using a 351W stroker crate engine and maybe move to a T5 (though the T10, Hurst shift combo shifts so nice; has a 9" 3.50 diff)
'61 Fairlane is fullsize like the Galaxie, Starliner and Sunliner (conv). They are quite few and far between in the 2 door. Thunderbolt lightweight teardrop hoods are available for the '61. Not sure I'll go that route but I prob would. Mine has original rubber mat (no carpet) floor with only one option (the 292). The old lady drove it 75k just in the summers when she visited here; the rest of the time it was kept and maintained in the Ford dealership that her family owned. Dog dish hubcaps, 3 on the tree, radio delete. LOL. Likely to be 3-4 years before I get back to it.

 

[duh09]

Well I do have a 100% rust free 1961 Fairlane 2 door (old lady bare bones with 292) that I put a 4 speed, Hurst, Auburn Posi, Crown Vic style dual exhaust) in, but then started with some subtle but cool metal fab however house building and family activities forced me to halt progress on it. It's been sitting for several years but I'm determined to get back to it. I've wanted to do a SBF in a Datsun Roadster for decades now and the right roadster roller and a complete donor car fell my way. The Fairlane will be easier in that there is no rust repair and very little chassis work and modest mechanics to be done. I would likely be using a 351W stroker crate engine and maybe move to a T5 (though the T10, Hurst shift combo shifts so nice; has a 9" 3.50 diff)
'61 Fairlane is fullsize like the Galaxie, Starliner and Sunliner (conv). They are quite few and far between in the 2 door. Thunderbolt lightweight teardrop hoods are available for the '61. Not sure I'll go that route but I prob would. Mine has original rubber mat (no carpet) floor with only one option (the 292). The old lady drove it 75k just in the summers when she visited here; the rest of the time it was kept and maintained in the Ford dealership that her family owned. Dog dish hubcaps, 3 on the tree, radio delete. LOL. Likely to be 3-4 years before I get back to it.

A fella I worked with had a very similar car, 61 292 2 door car, but it was rough. But that ole Y block ran like a sewing machine. I wish I had bought it from him for a sweet little cruiser but the interior needed a lot to be comfortable.

Ive got a 67 Fairlane I need to get back on once I get done with the Cobra and a couple smaller projects. It’s a 390/4speed now, originally an automatic that my dad had painted before he passed and never finished getting it back together. I’m going to rewire it and build a EFI system for it and have a little restomod hot rod.

 

[fairlane292]

A fella I worked with had a very similar car, 61 292 2 door car, but it was rough. But that ole Y block ran like a sewing machine. I wish I had bought it from him for a sweet little cruiser but the interior needed a lot to be comfortable.

Ive got a 67 Fairlane I need to get back on once I get done with the Cobra and a couple smaller projects. It’s a 390/4speed now, originally an automatic that my dad had painted before he passed and never finished getting it back together. I’m going to rewire it and build a EFI system for it and have a little restomod hot rod.

Probably telling you something you already know, that the '61 fullsize Ford had four different roof, rear window designs. The Galaxie and Fairlane were basically identical except the Galaxie had a flat rear window and the Fairlane has a cool wraparound rear window.
The '67 is a great timeless design and perfect size car. I'm sure it would mean a lot to you to get that one back on the road.