I'min the process of replacing the radiator on my '96 Dakota (3.9L V-6). I would like to know what the two small hoses at the bottom of the radiator are, and what to expect when I remove them. No, I don't have a Haynes manual, the new radiator and fresh coolant havecost me enough as it is. Besides the hosequestion, I'd welcome any other suggestions from folks who've done this before. Thanks in advance.
-Jerry

 

The two hoses at the bottom are your transmition lines. They feed into the radiator to keep the trany fluid cool. You are more than likley going to need a special tool to get the one on the right side off and possibly the left also. The tool cost only about $10 and is a set of plastic rings that will slide into the connection and push the locking teeth loose. The other option you have is to cut the lines just behind the fitting and slide the hose onto the new nipples and use hose clamps to hold them in place. The hole process is fairly easy. Unbolt the shroud and push it back, unbolt the radiator and all water lines and take on the challange of the trany lines.

 

If your careful, you wont need the special tool to unclip the transmission cooler lines. just be careful not to break the clips because they are hard to find.

 

The clips themselves appear to be plastic with two ears on them. If I attempt to remove the lines without the special tool,do I squeeze or compress the ears? And when I replace the lines on the new radiator, do they just press on?

 

correct

 

Not to take over the thread, but what radiator (model name/#) did you buy Jerry? I have to replace mine in a '93 V-6 manual trans, sometime this week.

Post any tips that could help me before I do mine lol

 

LegendRacer6,
Your '93 apparently uses the same radiator as my '96 except you may not need the automatic transmission cooling line connections on the bottom. I gotminefrom thelocal Advance Auto Parts, part #431336, brand name Ready-Rad,online priceis $161.98 which (I think) is same as what I paid at the store.Only problem I'm having is removing the transmission cooling lines [:@]as I mentioned above.The connector fitting is metal, about 1" long, flared at the end, and there is a yellow plastic sleeve insidewith two ears, one on each side. The connection line from the radiator is 3/8". I have attached two pics of disconnect tool sets, maybesomebody could please tell me which set to use???

[IMG]local://upfiles/88674/849895AAFEE64472A6920CF0922935E5.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/88674/B38FF44FD2694972B1F483A83B52AF66.jpg[/IMG]

 

they are aPITA to get off but i would just use the yellow ears so you dont break them off with the disconnect tool...

 

So do you compress the yellow plastic ears together with a needle nose pliers, or do you grip the ears and slide the plastic sleeve out of the fitting???I feel like an idiot becauseI can't figure out how to take these things off. [:@]Here's adrawing I made of the fitting, if anybody can explain the damn thing I'd appreciate it.

[IMG]local://upfiles/88674/0991238FC5B6498AB111ACD456B00D5C.jpg[/IMG]

 

that is a pretty good drawing, lol. but you squish te yellow ears together, i just use my fingers, but you can use pliers too. push the line onto the fitting like you are trying to put it on and the press the ears in and pull back. they stay in the line when you take it off. They are supposed to be"quick disconnect" lines...but they never are!!! i usuall end up getting pissed at them and just keep pressing on the ears as i push and pull violently on the line and it comes off.