dma251

I just bought a temp gauge to add to my truck and poking around underneath I noticed that I've got two black hard fluid lines coming from the left (driver's) side of the tranny.

The one closest to the front of the truck has a bend in it and a t-fitting with a rather large (maybe 1/2 npt) looking plug threaded in facing rearward. This plug looks a lot like the right size for one of my sender adapters included with my gauge.

Is this the right line? Why would my truck have this port on it already?

I have a Mag-Hytec pan, should I just stick the sender in there?

HELP!!!

BarryG

It sure sounds like the one I bought to replace the one there without the port. I think 96 and earlier trucks came with that line stock and people who go to dodge like me and buy one to get the one with the port buy the line from a 96. I think it is actually a 1/8 npt size port, which is probably what your gauge sender is as well. By the way since it is already installed in your truck when you go to remove the plug be careful not to bend the line much. If I remember mine was on the bench when I took the plug out and it was in there pretty tight.

I would stick the sender in the port. I also have a maghytec pan and put the sender in it first but the front driveshaft on my 01 was very very close and actually was chafing my wire about an inch from the sender so I bought the line and moved it to there. Your sender may be shorter than mine is and it may not be a problem.

RowJ

Thought 1995 was last yr that came with the port in the cooler line. That's the year that is always recommended for replacement on later models. That being said..sure sounds like you have one and I may remember hearing that mid 96 was the changover year.

Much better to have temp probe in cooler line than in pan. See here: https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=46992

Two things:
1) May want to remove line and drill out the check ball and spring. Will give better flow without it but will require some patience when starting first thing each day. Needs 30-60 sec idle to refill tranny. Also removing the line makes removing plug easier (been pianted over) and insures sealing adaptor/probe better...they tend to leak pretty easily.
2) You'll lose about 2-3 qts ATF...be prepared.

RJ

BarryG

RJohnson my very well be right on the 95 model year. May very well be worth taking off and verifying if the check ball was removed already or not(it is in the rubber end up by the engine). Two checkballs not a real good idea, the later years have a check ball in the cooler already.

infidel

I personally wouldn't worry about the check ball unless you are towing heavy. It may not even have the check ball, I know the ball was added as a recall on '94&'95, not sure about '96 though.
Some '96's have the ported line even though the port isn't used with the 47RE tranny. Guess Dodge had some old parts they didn't want to waste.
The port size in the line is 3/8'', most probes are 1/8'' so you will need a reducer bushing.

dma251

the truck was built 12/19/1995 and I don't think I am too comfortable with removing the check ball if it means that I will be delaying fluid filling during startup. I spent PLENTY on the complete BD tranny, and I want it to last as long as possible (although I wish now I had done a NV4500 swap...)

The gauge I have is an Autometer phantom, and it came with a 1/8NPT sender and two adapters, one is 1/2" and one looks like about 3/8". I'll try it and see. Thanks alot for the advice.

V Baker

Oil cooler tube with port for gauge sender.Mopar part#05011244AA.