Fuel Lines Question

[SamGreazy]

So, I bought a new fuel tank skid plate, had my tank cleaned, and am going to block off my mechanical and go electric fuel pump. I took off the old metal lines, and was thinking I would get some new bendable lines and bend them to match. But after the hassle of getting them out of the Jeep I am thinking about just putting some stainless steel lines on, or are there any other options? Also what size metal lines do I need to buy? or stainless?

[babywag]

The original lines were stainless and are 5/16 & 1/4"

You'll need pro quality tools if you replace w/ stainless.
It's very hard to bend and darn near impossible to flare the ends.

[Dr. Marneaus]

I just ran braided steel AN fuel rated line. Easy peasy. Literally will take less than an hour to replace if I need to.

[tgreese]

The original lines were stainless and are 5/16 & 1/4"

You'll need pro quality tools if you replace w/ stainless.
It's very hard to bend and darn near impossible to flare the ends.

I'm sure the original lines are zinc plated mild steel, not stainless. Same stuff that they sell at the parts store for brake lines.

Correct that SS is very difficult to work with. The mild steel line is ok though. You will need a good tubing bender.

If you want bendable tubing, the Nicopp or Cunifer line is great. Easy to bend and never corrodes. It is rather expensive compared to steel.

Summit and Jegs sells aluminum (!) tubing for fuel line, but I'm skeptical. Conventional wisdom says that aluminum (and copper) will work harden and crack eventually. Common to find warnings not to use copper for fuel line.

[itselliot]

Or you can spend $$ for really nice stuff

http://www.inlinetube.com/top%20buttons%20bar%20orange/customduplication.htm

They are great people to work with too.

[babywag]

I'm sure the original lines are zinc plated mild steel, not stainless. Same stuff that they sell at the parts store for brake lines.

My '88, '89, and '90 were/are all stainless.
Earlier rigs didn't come with stainless fuel lines but late model ones did.

I know the '79's I've owned weren't stainless.

[J20 project]

Just a suggestion.

I was one of the many victims of vapor lock. Prior to the 02 Invasion, I decided to make sure that was not an issue for myself.

I welded 1/4 X 3/4 in bolts along the top edge of my frame on the outside of the frame. I used rubber covered loop retainers and hung a 3/8in brake line in these all the way from the tank to just outside of the fuel pump and at that point entered the engine compartment. I did use the original return line.

At any rate this appeared to fix my vapor lock condition as it allowed for the brake(fuel) line to be exposed to all the air flow in the world. The only heat exposure I have is the 6in where it 90s into the fuel pump.

The other thing is that the flared fittings can be adapted to hose barb fittings, etc. Very few hose clamps.

J20