While in search if a mystery leak I discovered this line melted into. It is located between the tranny fill tube and right exhaust manifold. Can anyone tell me what it is and how it should be routed as to not come in contact with said manifold?

 

that looks like a vent line from the transmission , transfer case.....I dont know what was originally holding it.....mine now is attached to the firewall with a zip tie after cutting off the melted part.....

 

Yes, that's a vent tube. You can splice it with 1/4" irrigation drip line fittings and tube. The same vent tubing is used for the cases, and the axle housings front and rear. Keeping them open prevents pressurizing the cases and leaking seals. Keeping them at the high elevation keeps water from getting inside. I've ripped mine up crashing through puddles filled with block ice, but they're not hard to patch up.