Last spring i installed the DE downpipe and never could get the tube back in. I ended up ripping the grommet and when i finally got it in, because i had altered the bends, it would not go all the way down and seat on the grommet which would give inaccurate readings. By then, i was sick of fooling with the truck because i was already pissed from the pipe install and heat shield, so i just plugged the hole and decided to fool with it later.
Anyway, 7 months later, i cut off about 5 inches of the tube on both ends and replaced the middle portion with 3/4" ID heater hose with two hose clamps on either end. To calibrate the length, i had made a mark on the dipstick when it was fully pushed in the factory tube and cut the hose until the mark was flush with the bottom of the new tube. I did this while fixing the hose to have the same bend as factory. It will change from being straight to bending it like it will permanently stay. Level reads the same as it was before and took about 15 minutes to route and secure after i made it up. The bracket broke off the original tube and is still bolted to the tranny and the heater hose rests in it which keeps it away from the down pipe.
Seems to be a good fix. Not rocket science but i was proud because it had given me fits before and i knew i had to be able to check the fluid level. I dont think the fluid will splash up high enough to get on the hose so hopefully it will hold up for a while.
Anyway, 7 months later, i cut off about 5 inches of the tube on both ends and replaced the middle portion with 3/4" ID heater hose with two hose clamps on either end. To calibrate the length, i had made a mark on the dipstick when it was fully pushed in the factory tube and cut the hose until the mark was flush with the bottom of the new tube. I did this while fixing the hose to have the same bend as factory. It will change from being straight to bending it like it will permanently stay. Level reads the same as it was before and took about 15 minutes to route and secure after i made it up. The bracket broke off the original tube and is still bolted to the tranny and the heater hose rests in it which keeps it away from the down pipe.
Seems to be a good fix. Not rocket science but i was proud because it had given me fits before and i knew i had to be able to check the fluid level. I dont think the fluid will splash up high enough to get on the hose so hopefully it will hold up for a while.
