Ford 8.8 goodness started!

[swan song]

Nah, the cheap way is to buy a roll of line, the flaring tool, and the fittings. Granted, it's a bit more expensive the first time, but you'll have the tools for the next time. Also, if you have problems with rusting brake lines (calcium chloride on the roads), buy the Nickel-Copper lines, they're easier to bend and extremely resistant to corrosion.

For making the lines, whenever possible I prefer to drop the old brake line, bend the new one to match, and then install it. I did that once on a Taurus, the inspection mechanic asked if I'd bought the pre-bent lines

Fixed it to say "cheap AND simple" but one thing to not is that you cannot use the old brake lines as a template, the tubes have changed in length, different brackets are everywhere. It simply won't work. Buy 'em straight, use the coat hangers. Mock up and copy.

[swan song]

Finally got everything buttoned up, and drove the first time in awhile! It feels good, did a nice two wheel peel. No rear sway bar feels strange though. Gotta get that fixed. Em nice thing is I took my driveshaft in to be completely re done. They quoted 325$, when I picked it up they told me it would be 153$! So that was rad. Total cost on this project was about 300$, that includes the new shaft, the miscellaneous conversion parts, and the brakes redone. So far, so good. 

[AkiRA65]

Nice!! Hopefully getting a sway bar on there again will help make it feel better. I'm currently running without one as well, because mine broke the studs that attach to the body mount.

[swan song]

so to sum up the total this project cost me:
used ford explorer axle= 50$
Another short side axle=10$
rear half of the driveshaft from an 8.8 equipped vehicle out of the junkyard (note, there are TWO types of pinion flanges, one small than the other!)=1-$
5x4.5 lug rims=50$
new spicer u joints=23$ (one for the ford side of the new driveshaft, and one for the toyota side)
custom driveshaft= for me 153$, could be upto 325$ for you.
 ford friction modifier=10$
gear oil=10$
exploder e brake cables=40$ (my axle didnt come with them)
weatherhead 1443 metric male to standard brake line female (with correct flaring) 2.00$x2=4 bucks!
two 30" unbent 3/16" brake lines=6.00x2=12$ (ask for a ford exploder brake line at the parts store, so the tool behind the counter doesnt get confused)

Brake rebuild:
shoes=25
drums turned=21
hard ware kit= 12$
grand total=420.00.
but two wheeled hoonery is priceless...    

[corax]

Excellent!
Six states did the same thing with me - quoted on the high side and then surprised me with a better price when I showed up.  Did you use the one in Portland?  Good people to deal with there

[swan song]

Newhouse Mfg. They do mostly farm stuff but also truck repair.

[a2ndopinion]

So when are you going to drive it to Pdx? How's the 1UZ coming along?

[swan song]

So when are you going to drive it to Pdx? How's the 1UZ coming along?

And the LEGENDARY A2O is back! I'll drive her to PDX as soon as I "make sure she's safe" then I'll begin the v8 madness.

[firstgenrex]

Holy Shit, A2O!! Was just talking about you with Todd at engnbldr about you, true story.

Swan, Ah, Pictures Man! I would also like to see that car if/when you make your way up the city.

[swan song]

Holy Shit, A2O!! Was just talking about you with Todd at engnbldr about you, true story.

Swan, Ah, Pictures Man! I would also like to see that car if/when you make your way up the city.

I have pics. I'll put them up soon. Might do a burnout vid too.

[a2ndopinion]

swan song, 85GTS and a2ndopinion.
I also saw Kyler (85CelicaGT) yesterday. WTF? Why is the pic upside down?
Ian came by with the old diff out of his Celica, so I made Wes come out for a photo op.
I'll be the axle under my trailer (with an F'n sideways pic), so it'll have finally use Toyota wheels. I have a friend (KFD on classic-celica.com) who wants the 3.42 gears, so I'll throw in a blown, empty center section out of Ryan's (skudman) '76 just to hold the axles.

Matt - firstgenrex - funny you should mention Tod at engnbldr, as I was in there like three weeks ago.

[AkiRA65]

Really wish I lived in the PNW. Still will move there eventually.

[ozzie]

At times I wish I was up there too.

[swan song]

Little update: I kept wondering about the brake pedal having so much play in it before the pedal engaged the brakes. It turns out the rear shoes needed adjusted, then needed adjusted even MORE! Now this thing stops on a dime. For reference, the way I did it was taking off the wheel and the drum, unscrewing the shoe adjusters to be slightly tight with drag on the drum. Had to take it apart a few times and get it right and even. But now it really stops fast. Unreal.

[swan song]

Also, if anyone cares, we could sticky this. That is, if anyone finds it worthy of such an honor.