Transmission cooler line replacement

[Roger Blake <rogblake@xxxxxxxxx>]

I'm working on an '86 Eagle that has seriously rotted and leaking
transmission cooler lines. (This car has seen severe winter service,
the fuel and brake lines were replaced previously. Though remarkably
there is little rust on the chassis or body.)

It looks like it is going to be a bear to replace those lines. I
had to remove the transfer case skid plate and the front driveshaft to
get at the fittings on the transmission, and the lines still have to be
cut for removal. It looks like there is almost nothing left on them that
is usable.

How feasible is it to replace the metal tubing in whole or in part with
rubber hose? A friend of mine suggested just hooking up fuel line to
the appropriate fittings, using hose clamps. Not sure I like the sound
of that -- how much pressure are we talking about here? Should I have
special hoses made up? Or maybe the fuel line trick will work if short
lengths are used to connect sections of metal tubing?

I know I've seen cars with at least some section of the tranny cooler
lines in rubber, but never really paid attention to as to hose and
fitting type. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

--
  Roger Blake

  rogblake@xxxxxxxxx