Brake lines and when to extend them with disconnected swaybars and a lift

[Dilly’S Willy]

After searching here and the wrangler forums (maybe not good enough) I haven't found enough info to make an educated choice regarding when brake line extensions are needed, related to lift/tire size/full articulation WITH sways DISCONNECTED. Both front AND rear, seems most info is related to 38"+ and 3"+ lifts, but little mention about front vs rear, or what lift they have to support, or if they rub, or if they disconnect sways.

So for those who have:
- 35s
- Stock wheels/no spacers
- 2"+ lift
- Disconnected swaybars
- NEVER RUBS

...Do you need brake line extensions? How much longer? Will line long enough for FULL articulation on 37s work without interference on 35s?


This is info many can benefit from, and others can use as reference to other tire/lift setups and how long the lines need to be. Also please state what trim Gladiator you have too.

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[fourfa]

I have the Teraflex “16 inch travel” rear kit, which includes extended brake lines. I didn’t try it out without the extended lines, but when fully flexed out in the rear they don’t look too long. The stiff stock control arm bushings or binding from the stock mount points might limit rear flex to where stock lines are OK. Can’t speak to that firsthand.

On the front, I limit flex via 28.4” extended length shocks. More than that will exceed the front driveshaft capability. Stock front brake lines are fine with this much flex (verified firsthand about a thousand times). If you go with longer shocks and an aftermarket high-angle front driveshaft, you will need extended front brake lines.

This is a Rubicon with front disconnect and high-angle front swaybar links, 3.5” lift. 37s but not stock wheels, ~1” more spacing than stock. No rub, but not sure why rub matters as the brake line length mainly matters for extended, not stuffed.

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

I have the Teraflex “16 inch travel” rear kit, which includes extended brake lines. I didn’t try it out without the extended lines, but when fully flexed out in the rear they don’t look too long. The stiff stock control arm bushings or binding from the stock mount points might limit rear flex to where stock lines are OK. Can’t speak to that firsthand.

On the front, I limit flex via 28.4” extended length shocks. More than that will exceed the front driveshaft capability. Stock front brake lines are fine with this much flex (verified firsthand about a thousand times). If you go with longer shocks and an aftermarket high-angle front driveshaft, you will need extended front brake lines.

This is a Rubicon with front disconnect and high-angle front swaybar links, 3.5” lift. 37s but not stock wheels, ~1” more spacing than stock. No rub, but not sure why rub matters as the brake line length mainly matters for extended, not stuffed.

Thanks for being detailed! This is the type of posting we need to help each other out.

Rubbing factor was added to reinforce the concept of modding for looks vs for function. As tires that rub in turns could catch a brake line and rip it off if not done correctly, mall crawlers generally don't care about function rather than looks "I just don't turn full lock anymore".

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