Hey guys, I have a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L Laramie, and I just had to replace my radiator. I got the carquest premium one from advanced auto that says exact fit for my truck but it isnt. The only thing on the radiator that doesnt fit is that lower transmission line, idk the correct term. But it was supoose to thread on the bottom the radiator had no threads. So for the past couple weeks ive driven with the hose clamped over the radiators fitting. It keeps popping off and its too late to return the radiator since ive driven on it and thrown the box away. Im looking for a quick connect for the radiator so it doesnt keep popping off. Honestly not even wanting a fitting to put into my hose. Would rather just replace the whole line back to the transmission. Does anyone know where I can find a quick connect transmission cooling line that will fit onto the carquest premium radiator? I really dont want to pay for another radiator.........

 

Oh also, I found this. Its the Dorman Transmission Cooler Line, part number 624-832 on Advanced Autos website.
Would this fit my radiator and fit the truck or am I just screwed by using the car quest premium radiator? Should I just invest in a new line and radiator since, I've cut the rubber hose up trying to find a fitting I could fit to the end?

 

From the factory, that should have been a 'quick connect' fitting.... Can you post a pic of what you got?

 

Heres a picture of the current setup right now. First pic is the original part that was connected to the hose and hooked to the old radiator. The second picture is the the line coming out of the radiator I need to connect too. Ive been seeing reviews of the Carquest Premium Radiator having suppose to come with a hose to connect to the radiator and i talked to the manufacturer yesterday. they are having a part come in soon for me and i hope its the right piece. Ive had this battle with Advanced Auto for 3 weeks. The past 3 weeks I just ran the hose over that line and clamped it on but it blows off like every other day and I loose tranny oil because of it

 

The fitting in the radiator IS for the quick connect. That is the correct piece. The part you are holding in your hand though..... I assume the crimped portion is where the hose came in, but, I don't see a good way for that to connect to the radiator?

 

Yeah Carquest is hopefully sending Advanced Auto the correct quick connect setup. I think the piece is already built into the hose so all I should need to do is connect to the quick conncect and then screw in hose onto the other end, it should come with the fitting built in on the otherside I hope. Its just dumb because every auto parts store I went too couldnt figure out what the hell a quick connect was or couldnt get what I wanted.

 

Well, the parts pushers aren't necessarily what I would call 'knowledgeable'..... The guys at advanced used to be a bunch of ex-mechanics... and knew their stuff. The new kids don't know squat.

 

I would say that about napa but all the other parts stores are the same. Just go by what the computer shows them.