Help: Front Differential Vent Hose Routing

[gray96]

I have a '96 Explorer. The rubber vent hose that comes off the top of the front differential is hanging down onto the road. I can't seem to find where it's supposed to connect. It has a small white plastic piece pushed into the end of the hose; I'm guessing this either connects to another rubber hose or it connects to some fixed point somewhere.

Can anyone tell me where the connection point is for this vent hose? Does the plastic piece connect to another hose or to some fixture on the frame or motor?

Any help is much appreciated!

[gray96]

I've moved the end of the hose around underneath testing where it can reach; I hoped this might help me figure out where it might connect, but no luck. I assume it's got to attach somewhat higher up away from the ground (to avoid water getting into it) but also not too close to the motor. Hopefully someone will be willing to take a peak underneath their Explorer and tell me where this puppy is supposed to connect

[gray96]

I realized we have a work vehicle at the office that is also a '96 Explorer, so I looked at it today. The vent hose comes off the front differential and takes a hard left toward the driver-side front tire, then it runs up to a metal retaining clip located in front of the shock absorber (close to the top of the shock mount). On my truck the metal clip is completely gone (probably rusted out) but I can see the hole where the clip attaches. So I'll probably just secure the vent hose with a plastic cable tie.