Checking out rockauto for some new radiator hoses. It lists Dayco or Gates parts for the lower and Dayco, Gates, or ACDelco for the upper hose. I'm not familiar enough to choose and I know that can't judge by price alone. Anyone have an opinion on which are better or if it even matters? Unless there is a good reason not to, I'll just throw out the ACDelco hose just because there isn't a match for the other end. Whatever brand I go with, I'd probably get the same for both.

 

I replaced mine with Gates. Gates hoses seem to fit better, either choice is good.

 

I bought mine from Autozone locally 2 years ago and they are fine. I dont remember the name of them.

 

X2 on the Gates brand.

 

As long as they aren't the universal fit crap, they should be good.

 

Dayco also makes the gates and from some friends that work their they said they won't buy anything that they make just to let you know

 

When i did my flush and fill last year, i was going to replace the upper and lower radiator hoses and heater hoses. I went to (or called) 2 Dodge Dealers and 7 different auto parts stores and NOBODY stocked ANY of them and they all said it was special order only. In fact, the Dodge dealer near me said they have never ordered either radiator hose for my year(s) of Hemi ever.

After talking to a few mechanics and the dealer parts guy, i have to agree that the quality of hoses and coolant these days really does not warrant replacement as often as the old days. My 06' has 98,000 miles on it as of yesterday and the hoses look like new. When i did the flush and fill last year and was able to see the insides of the hoses and the ends when i pulled some of them, they looked like new as well. Even though the total cost for hoses and even the time to do it would have been minimal, i just saw it as a waste. Same with the thermostat. I was going to change that. The dealer tech said it's such a simple thermostat to change it would be silly to change it out untill it actually goes bad. It's a 20 minute repair.

So my plan is (knock on wood) IF the water pump or Heater core goes and i am draining the system anyhow, then ill finally change all the hoses. Otherwise, unless they start showing signs of rotting or bulging, ill change them around 130k.

 

I guess I'm half paranoid and half old school but I've always changed hoses anytime I've had to empty the radiator anyway. They aren't that expensive and it's a good preventative measure that also keeps from having to buy more coolant, etc. if a hose were to fail prior to time for another flush/fill. I've ordered new hoses even though mine don't seem to be in bad shape. If I compare them to the old hoses and feel I'm better off keeping what I've got, I'll do that and put the others on the shelf.

 

That was how i always was as well. And usually you would see the dry rot at the ends of the hoses or they were getting soft. But i guess with these new rubber compounds and maybe the coolant, i am just not seeing the wear any more. Had a local shop had all the hoses in stock, i likley would have changed them anyhow. But in hindsight, i have no regrets and saved some money. More then enough to cover the cost of the coolant.

 

My waterpump started leaking on my 05 Hemi at 138k miles. I replaced coolant, upper/lower hoses, and thermostat when I replaced the water pump. First replacement for any of them. Lower hose had expanded abou 50% of its original size and was very soft, but still intact.