Upper Radiator Hose Mod - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

csfields · 03-09-2015, 08:27 AM

Saw this picture on the internet the other day and would love to mod my upper radiator hose like this. I really like the hard tubing idea. Any ideas how to achieve this or how to go about starting it?

Mike C · 03-09-2015, 09:13 AM

The 4x4 trucks come that way.

Andy4639 · 03-09-2015, 10:10 AM

I went to Lowes and bought a piece of aluminum-conduit. I bent it like the rubber hose and cut the ends off the rubber hose to clamp it together.

Jayschevy · 03-09-2015, 12:31 PM

I used high temp (pyrex) glass instead of metal on my upper hose.
[IMG]

[/IMG]

Rod Run · 03-09-2015, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csfields

Saw this picture on the internet the other day and would love to mod my upper radiator hose like this. I really like the hard tubing idea. Any ideas how to achieve this or how to go about starting it?

You can buy the kits though most of the big online parts houses, or just go to your local speed shop and if they don't stock them, they should be able to order you one

I don't trust the homemade ones because I've seen them fail AT LEAST a half-dozen times and they make a huge mess when they do fail.

The good kits will usually have a bead on each end of the tube, that way there is no chance of the hose clamp being able to slide off the smooth surface.

**WIDESIDE72** · 03-09-2015, 03:27 PM

The factory 4x4 used metal pipe in the middle but it was straight. I'm an electrician. How about an 90 degree emt from your local big box home improvement store? Radius might not be tight enough though.

enaberif · 03-09-2015, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod Run

I don't trust the homemade ones because I've seen them fail AT LEAST a half-dozen times and they make a huge mess when they do fail.

The good kits will usually have a bead on each end of the tube, that way there is no chance of the hose clamp being able to slide off the smooth surface.

Pull out the welder.. Tack about 4-6 welds onto it and that'll hold that clamp on.

**Stocker** · 03-09-2015, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

The factory 4x4 used metal pipe in the middle but it was straight. I'm an electrician. How about an 90 degree emt from your local big box home improvement store? Radius might not be tight enough though.

The short hoses on each end are straight, but the OEM steel tubing has bends. Like these:

**WIDESIDE72** · 03-09-2015, 08:48 PM

What i meant to say was the 4x4 pipe is more of a straight shot, original post photo was not an oem 4x4 pipe.

Rod Run · 03-10-2015, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enaberif

Pull out the welder.. Tack about 4-6 welds onto it and that'll hold that clamp on.

That's a pretty damn good idea!

Z10 · 03-10-2015, 11:50 PM

Here's mine.

shawno72 · 03-11-2015, 12:03 AM

There are some cool hose mods here

*Fitz* · 03-11-2015, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csfields

Saw this picture on the internet the other day and would love to mod my upper radiator hose like this. I really like the hard tubing idea. Any ideas how to achieve this or how to go about starting it?

I like mine better! Go to Summit Racing Vibrant, Jegs or whomever and buy a 1-1/2 in diameter 90 bend, 4 clamps and 4 hose elbows. I got mine at Vibrant Performance but there's dozens of vendors for steel or Stainless Steel exhaust pipe.

cooperhw · 03-11-2015, 10:12 PM

It's just pipe. You can take a coat hanger bent to your desired angle and your piece of pipe to the muffler shop. they can bend it in about 30 seconds. The ided of putting a few small beads of weld around it about an inch in would keep the hose from slipping off.

**70cst** · 03-11-2015, 10:46 PM

Great info all

**67 cst swb** · 03-12-2015, 10:26 AM

Be careful of what type tubing you use, as some will rust us pretty quickly with antifreeze flowing thru it.
I am currently working on having a stock type 4x4 hose redone in stainless steel, but we could make one in pretty much any shape/direction.

74baggedbug · 03-12-2015, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67 cst swb

Be careful of what type tubing you use, as some will rust us pretty quickly with antifreeze flowing thru it.
I am currently working on having a stock type 4x4 hose redone in stainless steel, but we could make one in pretty much any shape/direction.

Lmk if you start selling them!! Thanks

Swar · 03-12-2015, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayschevy

I used high temp (pyrex) glass instead of metal on my upper hose.
[IMG]

[/IMG]

That looks crazy, definitely an awesome look, but could it break if it's glass?

57taskforce · 03-12-2015, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67 cst swb

Be careful of what type tubing you use, as some will rust us pretty quickly with antifreeze flowing thru it.
I am currently working on having a stock type 4x4 hose redone in stainless steel, but we could make one in pretty much any shape/direction.

Let Me know too if you start selling them!!!

csfields · 03-12-2015, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z10

Here's mine.

How are them Gates power grip hose clamps working out. Thought about getting some of those.

Andy4639 · 03-12-2015, 03:46 PM

Mine was on the truck for several years and never failed. I did keep the clamps tight though and checked them when ever I changed the oil.

**67 cst swb** · 03-14-2015, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74baggedbug

Lmk if you start selling them!! Thanks

That is the plan. We are making a jig to build the first one.

Z10 · 03-14-2015, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csfields

How are them Gates power grip hose clamps working out. Thought about getting some of those.

They are working great. They give even clamping pressure around the entire hose unlike worm clamps. I also like the clean look.

http://www.gates.com/products/automo...grip-sb-clamps

Probably the best price I found was at Rockauto.

03-09-2015, 08:27 AM	#1
csfields Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Elizabethtown, Kentucky Posts: 322	Upper Radiator Hose Mod Saw this picture on the internet the other day and would love to mod my upper radiator hose like this. I really like the hard tubing idea. Any ideas how to achieve this or how to go about starting it? Attached Images __________________ Thanks, Casey 71 Chevy C-10 SWB 350/400 PS, PB The Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584045 The Brake Upgrade http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=695699

03-09-2015, 09:13 AM	#2
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,723	Re: Upper Radiator Hose Mod The 4x4 trucks come that way. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

03-09-2015, 10:10 AM	#3
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Upper Radiator Hose Mod I went to Lowes and bought a piece of aluminum-conduit. I bent it like the rubber hose and cut the ends off the rubber hose to clamp it together. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

03-09-2015, 12:31 PM	#4
Jayschevy Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Eastern, NC Posts: 429	Re: Upper Radiator Hose Mod I used high temp (pyrex) glass instead of metal on my upper hose. [IMG][/IMG]

03-09-2015, 03:27 PM	#6
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,500	Re: Upper Radiator Hose Mod The factory 4x4 used metal pipe in the middle but it was straight. I'm an electrician. How about an 90 degree emt from your local big box home improvement store? Radius might not be tight enough though.

03-09-2015, 08:48 PM	#9
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,500	Re: Upper Radiator Hose Mod What i meant to say was the 4x4 pipe is more of a straight shot, original post photo was not an oem 4x4 pipe.

03-10-2015, 11:50 PM	#11
Z10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Midland, TX Posts: 1,267	Re: Upper Radiator Hose Mod Here's mine. __________________ 1969 RS/SS Z10 Camaro Pace coupe 1972 GMC Short Step buildhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6356218 1979 Mazda RX7 1979 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 & 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary 1999 Honda Valkyrie 2006 Corvette Z06 2010 BMW 650i

03-11-2015, 12:03 AM	#12
shawno72 C/10 junkie Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Stockton Ca Posts: 9,093	Re: Upper Radiator Hose Mod There are some cool hose mods here __________________ Shawn 70 LWB C10 current driver/project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=663051 68 SWB C10 Work in progress.....SOLD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=559520 72 LWB C10 Sold 71 LWB C10 Sold 68 LWB C10 CST Sold http://youtu.be/kbB0QrBIs9k My mom always had the best advice. It was just a tad late. After a fall that involved blood, she'd say....."Careful!"

03-11-2015, 10:12 PM	#14
cooperhw Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Mesa AZ (Near Phoenix) Posts: 2,302	Re: Upper Radiator Hose Mod It's just pipe. You can take a coat hanger bent to your desired angle and your piece of pipe to the muffler shop. they can bend it in about 30 seconds. The ided of putting a few small beads of weld around it about an inch in would keep the hose from slipping off. __________________ "Life is too short to drive a boring vehicle". Later, Wayne

03-11-2015, 10:46 PM	#15
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,375	Re: Upper Radiator Hose Mod Great info all __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

03-12-2015, 10:26 AM	#16
67 cst swb Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 2,281	Re: Upper Radiator Hose Mod Be careful of what type tubing you use, as some will rust us pretty quickly with antifreeze flowing thru it. I am currently working on having a stock type 4x4 hose redone in stainless steel, but we could make one in pretty much any shape/direction. __________________ My Trucks: 1967 Chevrolet Short Wide Box 327 TH350 9" w/3.90 gears paint will be White - Current Project 1967 Chevrolet Custom LWB 283 TH400 3.73 Posi, no-AC, no-PS, no-PB, bench-seat, small-window - mostly orig driver 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB originally a 327 TH400 3.73 Posi AC PS PB, had Buddy Buckets, Small Window - parts truck 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB, 283 MT 3.73 had Buddy Buckets, Panoramic Window - parts truck 2001 Chevrolet 3500 2WD Crew Cab Dually 8.1L Allison White

03-12-2015, 03:46 PM	#21
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Upper Radiator Hose Mod Mine was on the truck for several years and never failed. I did keep the clamps tight though and checked them when ever I changed the oil. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.



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