Trans cooler lines???

[Critter]

The 72 stepside in my signature has the original steel lines running from the auto trans to the factory style radiator and they have seen better days. I was wondering what all is out there as a flexible replacement? Could I just get some quality rubber fuel line and hose barbs with the appropriate fittings? I know stainless braided line is an option but this truck doesn't need that kind of money thrown at it. It's far from stock at this point and I am more worried about function than form.

[Zane M]

The best solution is to get more steel lines and bend them yourself in the needed configuration.
You can run rubber lines, but it MUST be rated for ATF. Fuel line will degrade and blow/leak in a very short time.

[Critter]

Thanks Zane, the line degradation is what was concerning me. Needs to be more of a hydraulic line I guess. I have considered bending my own lines, I just hate fighting the tube. I have a bad track record of ruining tube and spending a crapload of time and money. Flexible line just seems so much easier.

[LockDoc]

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Not sure what your budget is for the lines but this stuff is the nuts. You can bend it with your hands without kinking it and if you get it wrong you can straighten it back out and re-bend it. It flares really easy too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CNC525-5-16-...55994d&vxp=mtr

Oh, and it won't rust....

LockDoc

[steelhorse]

You could always go to a scrapyard and pull some from a 73-87. I think they are the same.

[GASoline71]

The only thing I have ever bought from LMC for my truck is prebent steel lines for my factory auto tranny cooler. Same ones you are looking to replace (from tranny to radiator). I know people loathe LMC on here... but... they fit perfectly.

Gary

[Critter]

I'm not against buying some pre-bent lines but I'm not sure what I need exists. The truck is a factory style 4 core radiator, but the engine is an LSx 6.0 with a 200-4r transmission. So the length that the lines need to be is different than a factory th350 sitting in it's stock position (I think). When I got the truck it already had the 200-4r in it with a small block engine, I put the LS 6.0 in but I left the transmission and crossmember exactly where it was. However, it looks like the guys before me bent the crap out of the original th350 lines to make them fit the 200-4r. That's what has got me to the situation I am in now.

[Critter]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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Not sure what your budget is for the lines but this stuff is the nuts. You can bend it with your hands without kinking it and if you get it wrong you can straighten it back out and re-bend it. It flares really easy too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CNC525-5-16-...55994d&vxp=mtr

Oh, and it won't rust....

LockDoc

I like the sound of all that! Does it use all the standard flair fitting just like any of the steel/stainless steel lines would use?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Critter

I like the sound of all that! Does it use all the standard flair fitting just like any of the steel/stainless steel lines would use?

Yes it does. They do have special black anodized fittings for it but you can use the regular ones. I used the Nicopp brake lines (bought from the same guy in the link I posted) on my '34 Ford Coupe and they worked great.

LockDoc