My distrib isnt installed yet so thats not a problem.One thing I`ll have to watch is the oil sending unit.I was hoping I didnt have to remove the crossmember.I assume Im also going to have to lossen the motor mount bolts to allow the trans to lower.
Edit wouldnt lowering the trans with engine decrease the amount of clearance by bring the back of the engine closer to the firewall?

 

I replaced my rusty trans fill tube without any issues when i did the LIM gaskets on my 97... No lowering trans or lifting body, etc. Having the intake out of the way definitely helped, but it shouldn't be a big deal if you're willing to move some stuff out of the way. FWIW i think i did bend it a little bit to help.

 

With the engine and trans be at normal level I almost have enough room to get it to go into the hole of the trans.I raised the trans a couple of days ago its even tighter clearance now.Im thinking from what I see underneith If I drop the Ypipe and and maybe the exhaust mainfold on the right side I can get it in no problem.It woiuld take me about a half hour to undo both so probaly an hour give or take.

 

Ok I worked on this job for about 2 hours today,I lowered the trans,raised the trans and engine.I tryed from the top and up from underneith.Lifting the body is not an option as Im working in a very confined space.I see no way to get this tube in except remove the exhaust manifold.It will not make the turn to go into hole on the transmission.
HELP!

 

Finaly after an hours or so every other day for the past week of working I accomplished getting the dipstick tube in.Man what a job,I hope I never have to do it again

 

Nice work.

I'm just reading this thread now looking for help, but my Jimmy has been off the road for almost a year now because of that dipstick.

I managed to put the dipstick in through the top (the distributor was still off), but it's leaking like crazy despite me putting my best efforts to get it down and seated.

Your success has inspired me to drag myself out there again and try to shove the damn thing in deeper to stop that leak....

 

Sounds like you may have damaged and or kinked the tube seal... id try pulling it back up and inspecting the seal, then re-seating it.

 

I knew that I pushed a lot of rust down into the trans pan, so when I did my tube, I also serviced the trans with a new gasket, filter, and trans oil. So, if you are doing the trans too, you can pull the pan off, and put a new tube seal in. If your tube is good (hard to bend it in half and kink it without knowing), then it can only leak from the top at the dip stick (unlikely) or bottom at the rubber seal where it seats into the trans. Since seals are only about a buck or less at rockauto, I'd put in a new seal automatically.

 

Ok all I recieved a new tranny tube and I will tell you this...
A 2" body lift makes all the difference in the world...
I installed the tube frome the bottom up... and went in like
Butter...keep in mind though I have a 2" body lift...
And there is info that mentioned raising the body up to install...
Either way, its a pita for sure....so here is a idea...
PA 2" body lift and then tranny tube replacement...
Then you can also install those 31" tires...just sayin

 

One of the things that hampered my effort was that I have low profile tires.The body is sitting lower than stock height so it realy made this job a tough one.Ive installed a lot of transmissions in my lifetime with the dipstick tube ,I have to say this one was the most difficult ever.Then again this jimmy working on it everything aboiut it has been difficult.Good luck and god speed to those that have do this job.