Any opinions on when to replace coolant hoses? I used to change them about every five years on my now departed 86 F150 whether they needed it or not (didn’t care to be stuck in the middle of nowhere on hunting trips). Getting close to seven years on the OEM at 30k. The summer has been brutal here in Arridzona and I plan on doing a bit of highway driving/towing in the next few months.

Thanks!

 

6-7 years might be a good plan for Arizona..... I do about 10 years in Illinois.

 

Funny you mention an 86 F150. I still have mine, but quit driving it two years ago. Rust, rust, 300000kms but runs great. I gave it to my son and he wants to fix it up someday. Still has all original hoses. NOT recommending this practice to anyone, but I immediately thought of my old truck when I saw the thread title and then chuckled when you mentioned your old truck. Fixed a few oil leaks over the years, but never bothered with the hoses. Heck the original alternator belt finally blew off at 290000kms. That 302 is bulletproof and the injection system flawless.

I now have a 2014 F150 and love it, but when I get behind the wheel of that old 86, it's like an extension of me. I know it better than the back of my hand ha ha.

 

Great you still have yours. Really loved that truck. It was/is a 4X4 5.0L EFI AOD 1/2 ton 170K. The only grief it gave me was that horrible fuel system, dual tanks, and vacuum distribution mess made of plastic on the passenger side front. Had a local shop take care of the fuel system and did a rebuild of the failed plastic vacuum system rebuilding it with soldered brass tubing. Work finally got in the way and living in an apartment complex it was problem doing any real work on it without getting dinged by the rules. Last disaster was the transmission started leaking and I decided it was time to part ways and find a replacement. Had a lot of fun with that old truck. Went to a good home I think via Wheels For Wishes program. $1500 at auction in 2015.

 

I just replaced a hose that connects to heater core, it snapped right off at the plastic elbow. I’m at a lil over 87k miles. Damn thing was almost a $100 by itself also replaced t connector and upper hose while I was in there. Small fortune to replace all the hoses but I’d agree better than sitting on side of highway because of a coolant hose.

 

"better than sitting on side of highway because of a coolant hose"

Plus the mega $ tow to the shop.