Newbie Ford Ranger owner here, Few questions

[Jrdart512]

Just picked up a 2000 Ford Ranger XLT,3.0 4x4 with 30k original miles.
Obviously the truck has sat for a long periods of time inbetween uses. From sitting moisture as taken its toll on atleast 1 brake line and the vacuum line that goes to the hubs
My first question is brake lines, is there a company out there that make replacement lines OR should I just make up my own. I'm talking about the steel line that screws into the rubber line for caliper

Second question is on the Hubs.
I noticed that there are two lines that seem to come from OR go to the hub, One is a vacuum line and the other electrical. I think its safe to assume that the truck has ABS and the vacumm actuated hubs from what I gathered on the site so far. Where the vacuum line attaches to the nipple it is VERY rusty and has blown up the vacuum line and i think IF I touch it or with use it will just break apart as it looks VERY VERY brittle
Where is a good place (quality and cost) to get replacements? Would like to stay with the automatic hubs.

Just found these two problem areas while I was under it today. I sanded down the suspension parts and the frame, I primed everything and painted it all up to prevent any other rusting, It was mainly just surface rust which I was very pleased to find.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

i think that if u do the hub mod on the vacuum hubs u wont be needingh the vacuum lines. but im not sure. maybe someone who knows will chime in.

 

[Hopman]

The good news about Rangers is that any decent parts store should have pre-bent lines for it.

Seeing as you live in the rust belt, upgrade to stainless.

 

[Jrdart512]

Hmm I will have to check into the pre-bent lines but have my doubts about them having it around here.

 

[Hopman]

The good news is that Rangers are common enough that any good parts store will have 99.9% of the parts you need.

At the very least, it'll be only about 1-2 business days to get those lines.

 

[Jrdart512]

Been searching online and all I'm coming up with are replacement lines for the rubber brake hose, Checked Napa,pep boys, autozone, No pre bent steel or stainless lines??

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

I doubt you will find pre bent ones, invest is a good steel line cutter, flaring tool, and bender, not cheap ones and make your own, or take it to a shop and they can do it.

 

[Jrdart512]

Figured I would possibly have to make up my own, time to break out the tools, been about 15 years since I made my last set on My 69 Dart and there still holding strong. Anyone know what size the line is?

 

[crusin93]

Yeah, haul out the old tools and get busy. A shop will charge you too much to fab up brake lines. The size is 3/16 and at Advance, they have 20 foot rolls for about 20$. I suggest you purchase 2 rolls and do the whole truck. You will have about a half roll left over for another project. I just did it on my 98' took the better part of the afternoon.

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

Yeah, haul out the old tools and get busy. A shop will charge you too much to fab up brake lines. The size is 3/16 and at Advance, they have 20 foot rolls for about 20$. I suggest you purchase 2 rolls and do the whole truck. You will have about a half roll left over for another project. I just did it on my 98' took the better part of the afternoon.

It must really suck to live up north, In 15 yrs of being a tech I think I might have used a total of one roll or brake line at best......

 

[Hopman]

It must really suck to live up north, In 15 yrs of being a tech I think I might have used a total of one roll or brake line at best......

Welcome to life above the Mason-Dixon, aka the "Rust Belt."

If you did sheet metal work, you could make a killing replacing fenders, rockers & floor boards.

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

we dont have much more than the occasional rear fender rot from 25 yrs of age or the like, unless you live at the beach, then oh my god, it can be a nightmare to do a tune-up or something else simple.

 

[Jrdart512]

Thanks for the replies so far. What about the Hubs? I read up on doing the manual hub conversion BUT I'm a purist and lazy, I would like to keep the automatic hubs instead of having to get out of the truck and lock the hubs, but then again the amount of time I would probably have to do it would be minimal.
Just looking for ideas...

 

[adsm08]

Those are just simple threaded nipple fittings. Most parts stores should be able to get them. If not I know that the dealer's parts desk can. Probably a $15 to $20 bill.

 

[Jrdart512]

Hmm will look into that as well, Thanks for the heads up