I was thinking I could install a mechanical gauge into that inspection port piece... then I would not have to deal with draining the tank or the metal shavings. I'll have to take measurements though, and remove the port just to see if it can be done.

I am not having any issues with the tank, so I hate to mess with the tank itself just to bypass a dipstick solution. If it gets too complicated, Ill stick to the current method of using the dipstick and put this off until and when I ever have to pull the tank.