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I was wondering what you all have done to make new transmission lines. I know there are some options as far as hard line and rubber line go.
I have used 5/16th brake line before connected to 3/8 rubber hose. At first it was actually fuel line which i later learned was bad but it worked. Now that I don't have the room for the braided stainless I was going to use I need hard line. Thanks
Assuming this isn't a show truck and money is a factor, Steel line of your choice, and you'll need to add some flex to the lines if your running to a radiator or chassis mounted trans cooler. For the flex, they sell a trans cooler reinforced rubber hose at most parts stores. I prefer to leave the flare on the steel line and slip the rubber line over and clamp. They also sell a hose nipple that threads on to the steel line flare nut and could be used to.
A relatively cheap way that looks good is barb-tite (tm) push on low pressure fittings and hose. Makes a nice flexible connection from the trans to flared hard line, usually 5/16. The new black/green brake line (steel copper ploy-flo something-guessing) is neat, bends without kinking.
I just used the steel line and rubber transmission hose (there is a special kind for transmission use) as you had mentioned to start with. Works Great!
Here's a picture of them coming off the transmission cooler:
Mine are all steel. I did some measuring and went down to the local parts store and bought the lengths I needed and fabbed them up. Make sure to consider chassis flex, either with a small rubber section or do like most of the factories do with brake lines and tranny lines....have an extra coil or "U" bend section that will allow for some flex.
Oh, and don't use copper. Repeated flexing of the copper will make it brittle and it will crack and fail.
One other thing......don't forget to put the nut on the line BEFORE you make the flare (don't ask me how I know about this one...lol)
Just wanted to say thanks for the replies. I thought 5/16 was the size but before I did everything found out my 4r70w has 3/8 lines. It all worked out in the end anyhow. Thanks again