Transmission cooler lines

[Uncle Rupe]

Well I figured out how to change the rubber hoses on the transmission cooler lines of my 1996 gasser. It will probably work on my 3500 diesel just as well. I had noticed moisture on the ends of the hoses and checked around pricewise and the cheapest I could come up with was $65 from Dodge dealer for parts. This included some stainless steel lines that I didn't need. I finally got out my trusty dremel tool that somebody gave me about fifteen years ago and put a little bitty cut off wheel on it, I cut the swagelocks on each end of the hoses lengthwise like a banana in three places, cutting just into the curve at the end and just deep enough to get through the swagelock. I took a small screwdriver and carefully removed the pieces of the swagelocks leaving just the bare hose which I pulled off with my fingers, no damage to the steel lines. I noticed that the tubes coming from the transmission had a small hose barb on the end so the new hoses just slpped on and were double clamped. The steel lines that went to the cooler in the radiator had a hose barb about 1 1/4" from the end where the swagelock had gripped it. No problem. I took some safety wire and twisted it behind the hose barb and shoved the new hoses on the first clamp went on the hose under the wire, then I bent the wire back put the second clamp over the wire, bent the wire forward again and twisted it to the end that was behind the hose barb. Now they don't leak, they can't slide off, and I can change them in 20 minutes if I need too. Total cost about $6. 00.


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98 3500 4x4 quad cab, white, stainless running boards, mopar aftermarket remote transmission cooler, otherwise bone stock.
99 Lance 10'11" camper. Plus a 96 1500 and 99 Durango.