Bottom Radiator Hose too Long And Some Other Stuf

[Larry McGinnis]

Hey all,

I am putting a new radiator in the 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0 FLEX. The bottom Radiator Hose is being a pain. It doesn’t seem to sit square where it attaches to the block and when I put it onto the Radiator it kinks up really bad I pulled it back off. I will have to cut to length right? or am I missing something simple?

Also the Transmission Cooling lines don’t line up right and I’m having a terrible time getting them started. I’ve done this stuff for years, but I don’t remember having these problems. Any help as always would be really appreciated

thank you

Topic

[Daniel Weith]

If you still have the old radiator? Do the connection locations match?

How do the bends on the old lower hose match the new one? This could be a one hose fits many applications and not fit as well as the OEM.

Some trimming of the new hose may be necessary to work, or a different brand might be a better solution with the molded bends closer to the OEM hose.

[Larry McGinnis]

Yeah I still have the other radiator and they match up. I also have the old Radiator Hose and I matched them up before I started putting it in and they matched. I rememver the old one was a bear, but its been a few months since I took it off and I don’t remember if it was just shoved in there or not. I do know it was a bear to get off as it is going back in. With the new radiator hose attached to the block, there is like 2 inches extra going past the bottom of the Radiator. It is the only one NAPA carries for the truck model and as you said it is one of those one fits all, so I’ll slice on it, but I could of swore this one matched up with the old one. That’s why I hate when I get started on a project and get side tracked and get back to it later, stuff like this happens. I just drive the truck around town and hauling and taking the in-laws trash and helping them out so it’s not like it’s custom work like on my Mustang. Thanks for the tips. it is much appreciated

[Josh G]

Absolutely no problem cutting the new hose to fit…as long as it fits without kinks you’re good.

If the tranny line fittings are being a pain try this. Hold the fitting as square as possible to the tranny cooler. Then spin the fitting backwards in the loosen direction. Do this until you feel a slight shift/seating of the fitting…it is now seated in the optimal place for the threads to start. Now change directions to carefully tighten the fitting and it should go right in. If it still doesn’t, check it for thread damage.

[Larry McGinnis]

Cool Will do!

[EricTheCarGuy]

I’ve actually covered this very thing in a video.

I’d cut it to fit. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.

[Larry McGinnis]

Thanks man, I was thinking you had a video on that and I spent last evening looking for it. I found lots of other cool stuff though. Appreciate it. And yes I will, I always do my best to follow up

[Larry McGinnis]

Also Eric I buy OE for the Mustang and Jag or any other cars like those we have sitting around. I would like to restore the Ranger someday but Ive been spending time getting it running better and the maintence up to snuff before I start OE’ing it. I have to do a left side Cylinder Head replacement next Spring. Its a great work truck and I know I can hot rod it a little and get it sounding good and get a little punch in its step in a few years. I recommend these trucks for ease of working on them and they are great work horses

[Author]

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