I just noticed my lower radiator hose looks a little worn. I love the look of stainless steel braided hoses [eventually I want to replace all the hoses with braided stainless steel]. I want to put the very best on so i don't have to worry about them for a long while... any suggestions as to what I should I use?

 

While hoses & belts last longer now than they did 20 years ago, they still nee to be replaced regularly.

How long is a "long while?"

 

I don't mind spending money to get top quality - I love the look of braided hoses - I want to put on the longest lasting hoses possible.

 

If you can still get them, Motorcraft, Goodyear, or Gates are good quality hoses.

I inspect my hoses every month. The lower radiator hose on my 300 lasts 3 times as long as the top hose. Top hose has all the heat from the engine etc...

Look for any bulging or too soft or too hard, or cracks.

The lower radiator hose on my 300 is going on 10 years old, getting to the end of it's life. The top hose is 3 years old. Also getting close to the end, etc...

As for braided hoses, don't know how to check them...

 

I helped a friend change his upper radiator hose last week on his '93 F150....it was the original Motorcraft part, it even had the part number right there on it. It was so old that it had collapsed when he turned off the truck. Popped off the radiator cap and it popped back out.

I put a nice new Gates one on there and he was set.


You might look at JEG's or Summit for the braided hoses. Some I've seen are actually just rubber hose with a braided outer cover.

There are also silicone hose kits as well, but the ones I've seen were a little expensive and were either for a Mustang or were universal kits.