Toad air brakes

[Supertoolie]

Hi I just installed an air braking cylinder in mt GMC Terrain and I wonder where is a good spot to get the air line into the car i don't want to drill a hole unless I have to Thanks

[Spk64]

Originally Posted by Supertoolie

Hi I just installed an air braking cylinder in mt GMC Terrain and I wonder where is a good spot to get the air line into the car i don't want to drill a hole unless I have to Thanks

I was having a problem locating a spot to sneak the hose in on our Suburban. Ended up running it down next to front side of door from the engine compartment and let the door seal close on it. No problems in the 3 years it has been in place.
Unless I pointed it out you would never even notice the air line inside the door compartment area.
Getting ready to sell the Suburban and will uninstall, so no extra holes to deal with on the firewall.

[FIRE UP]

Not to be condescending or in any way sarcastic but, I just don't understand why it's hard to drill a hole for something that's IMPORTANT as running a brake line wire/air line/cable. I mean, the factory drilled (actually stamp/pressed) holes all over the place and, the vehicle hasn't fallen apart yet or rusted out. I mean it's quite simple, drill the appropriate size hole, install a grommet, run your air line or cable or wire through it, DONE. And it looks just like the factory did it.
The factory dose a pretty good job of sealing these vehicles up now days but, a grommeted hole works just fine.
Scott

[bdpreece]

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

Not to be condescending or in any way sarcastic but, I just don't understand why it's hard to drill a hole for something that's IMPORTANT as running a brake line wire/air line/cable. I mean, the factory drilled (actually stamp/pressed) holes all over the place and, the vehicle hasn't fallen apart yet or rusted out. I mean it's quite simple, drill the appropriate size hole, install a grommet, run your air line or cable or wire through it, DONE. And it looks just like the factory did it.
The factory dose a pretty good job of sealing these vehicles up now days but, a grommeted hole works just fine.
Scott

AHH!!! Let me explain.

Not something I am proud of but when we purchased our Explorer I removed the air brake system from our old Explorer and proceeded to move it to the new on. When it came time I could find no way to get through the firewall so I got out my drill and drilled through. Think; pushing hard, no go, no go, drill goes through. Right through the wiring harness.

New car, no wiring harness available. New wiring harness had to be built. Three weeks without car. Luckily my insurance covered all but the deductible. If there is a next time it will be installed at the dealer.

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by bdpreece

AHH!!! Let me explain.

Not something I am proud of but when we purchased our Explorer I removed the air brake system from our old Explorer and proceeded to move it to the new on. When it came time I could find no way to get through the firewall so I got out my drill and drilled through. Think; pushing hard, no go, no go, drill goes through. Right through the wiring harness.

New car, no wiring harness available. New wiring harness had to be built. Three weeks without car. Luckily my insurance covered all but the deductible. If there is a next time it will be installed at the dealer.

bdpreece,
I see your point. It's tough to take it when you're trying to do a job, save a few bucks and maybe learn something in the process only to do damage that someone else has to repair. And, in my lifes worth of DIY projects, I too have made my share of screwups. But, in a case like yours, it does pay to take a few extra minutes, or even an hour or so, to make dead sure of your actions, before you take any action. We all could say, "You should have known where you were drilling". But, it's done and, deal with it. It doesn't mean you can't learn from it and, maybe take better precautions next time. Good luck on your next one.
Scott

[Crasher]

Just curious as to what type of air brake line has to go through the firewall? I've had the M&G system on three different toads with the current one being an Avalanche. With the air cylinder on the master cylinder, the air line just runs down to a coupler next to the license plate. Pretty simple.

[Supertoolie]

Crasher, my air cylinder hooks to the brake pedal just like a blue ox one. I worried about hitting wires like the other post mentioned , I will drill a hole but was hoping there was a rubber seal on a hole that someone knew about ,thanks to all that responded

[BobrUSMC]

Supertoolie,
When I installed my braking system in my 2016 Ford Fusion I ran the line from the engine compartment inside the front fender liner and inside the bottom splash panel and drilled up into the area below the driver's seat which is where I had to end up anyway. Put a ninety degree fitting at the bottom and the top. No problems to date.
Keep Smiling,
Bob R

[alank]

When I set my CR-V up, not air line, but a bunch of wires, I came through the rubber grommet around the steering column. The hole in the firewall was quite a bit larger than the steering column so it allowed a lot of room to poke through the side of the grommet. Have a look to see what room you may have there.

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by Crasher

Just curious as to what type of air brake line has to go through the firewall? I've had the M&G system on three different toads with the current one being an Avalanche. With the air cylinder on the master cylinder, the air line just runs down to a coupler next to the license plate. Pretty simple.

Crasher,
M & G is the only air actuated system that does not need to be inside the toad. There are other air actuated systems, SMI to name one, that has an air line that needs to enter the inside of the vehicle to be attached to a small air cylinder that is attached to the brake arm or pedal.
Scott