Jeepwalker

Anybody know a source for new replacement (steel) front axle disconnect vacuum lines for an 87 XJ? Mine are terribly rusty. I could make up a set, but if I could find new, might save me some work. Also anyone know what years of vacuum lines are the same as the 87's?

(I don't want to convert over to a manual cable/lever disconnect)

Thanks in advance,

Rambler65

You could elect to permanently engage the front axle and ditch the vacuum system. AMC Eagles used the same type of front axle disconnect system in the early 1980s and a lot of the guys do that when there are problems with it. (The factory removed the axle disconnect on Eagles starting in 1985. The axle disconnect was also dropped from Cherokees but I'm not sure what model year.)

Jeepwalker

Thanks but no-go. I'm looking for a new set of lines to replace my very rusty ones. So I don't have to make up a set.

00t444e

Permanently lock it by sliding the collar over and using some washers or spacers to keep it there.

Jeepwalker

I thought I saw a source for replacement lines a few years ago, but wasn't able to find them again.

Anybody?

Thanks all

BlueRidgeMark

I think your best bet is to grab some cupro-nickel line and make your own. Much easier to work than stainless steel, and more corrosion resistant. Really, since that stuff became available, the only reason to use stainless is that you want the look of polished stainless.

cruiser54

Gee, I've probably thrown 5 of them away. Not rusty either.

To me, keeping and maintaining that vacuum system is akin to polishing a turd.

caged

if you're hell bent on keeping the factory disconnect system, and not permanently locking it, like others have suggested, then you can purchase a cable engagement system to replace the faulty vacuum system that is currently in there now. the cable set up is Posi-Lok PSL-400, and it's much more user friendly.

i however had a couple different designs of this posi-lok cable system, and eventually scrapped it for the permanent lock setup that has been suggested and never looked back.

derf

You're pretty unique in wanting to keep the vacuum system intact. Almost everyone wants to ditch the system in one way or another.

For that reason, you're not likely to find any pre-made replacement lines. Best bet is finding a good set of used lines from a donor or make your own set.

cruiser54

He already said in his original post, he didn't want a posi-lock.

He wants this:

Jeepwalker

Aw C'mon, that's a little harsh, don't you think?

My disconnect system works fine now. No reason to ditch it. Keep it original. The lines are pretty rusty, (very rusty) in a couple places, and rather to replace them before a rusted line fails. My luck it'll be while plowing snow on a below-0* cold day, or middle of the night. Guess I'll make up a set. Anyone know if 91 uses the same as an 87?

Thanks,

.

cruiser54

Nope. Not harsh. Truthful. If you had seen the number of failures on that system as I have, you would react the same way.

Plow snow with that system? NEVER!!!!

Jeepwalker

I guess the alternate title of this thread could have been:

"Tell me a whole bunch of things except what I am actually asking for. "

cruiser54

I changed it.

Ya know, if we didn't care about you, you wouldn't be getting the responses you're getting. I pity someone who is plowing snow and has their 4wd system fail them. Ain't fun!!
When I was Service Manager at the dealership for 12 years, wasn't a single person who wasn't fuming mad that the system failed when they needed it most. Like when it was snowy.......
If one part of the system didn't didn't fail, another did. I don't know if you've seen my detailed diddy on why CAD sucks, but it covers most of the failures.

Jeepwalker

Thanks!
Maybe I'll get a few legit responses this time through other than how STUPID I am for kindly asking if anybody knew a possible source of a replacement part, or what years fit what . What if I were doing a restoration?

Soooo..... back on topic, does anybody know what years lines will fit an 87?