need an answer about radiator hoses quick

holyford86 · Jul 16, 2008

i know its not the right forum but I need an answer quick. I need to know which hoses to use for swapping the 2 1/4 inch thick explorer auto radiator into my 86 2.9 truck, What hoses do I need to use? Do I need to use the 4.0 auto lower hose or the 2.9 auto lower hose? What about the upper?

skinner · Jul 16, 2008

Dont know offhand, but just get a look at it bud. If the ports are at about the same spot and same size naturally use the 2.9 hose. The hoses typically are routed to go around other crap in the bay, not by the radiator used. If the location of the ports is about the same, just use the 2.9 ones and cut them if they are a bit too long. If not, youll probably need to custom something up.
Good luck.

MAKG · Jul 16, 2008

4.0L lower hose. Carefully trimmed 2.9L upper hose.

You can probably get away with a 2.9L lower hose. The 4.0L upper will not work without amputating the throttle body.

dusto2 · Jul 16, 2008

when i did mine on my 89 2.9 i used the stock 2.9 hoses top and bottom, if i were to do it again i would find a little better top hose

MAKG · Jul 16, 2008

dusto2 said:
when i did mine on my 89 2.9 i used the stock 2.9 hoses top and bottom, if i were to do it again i would find a little better top hose

There isn't one.

The 4.0L upper intake is substantially different from the 2.9L upper intake. And obviously all 4.0L radiator hoses were designed for 4.0Ls.

holyford86 · Jul 16, 2008

i went with the 2.9 lower hose, it fits alright without shaving and it isnt even close to kinking anywhere. didn't even have to bend the hose around much to get it on the radiator. If I start having issues with it I will change it to the 4.0 hose. I am now debating whether to use the trans cooler for the power steering or not since I have a manual transmission. thanks for the replies.

AllanD · Jul 16, 2008

MAKG said:
There isn't one.

The 4.0L upper intake is substantially different from the 2.9L upper intake. And obviously all 4.0L radiator hoses were designed for 4.0Ls.

It's not the intake that's the interference, it's the alternator

and the 4.0 upper hose has to be routed around the alternator
to get to the upper neck that's angled out to meet it.

BTW, I found that the upper hose for a 2.9 purchased from
CarQuest was easier to trim and twist to keep it out of the alternator belt.

I don't have that problem anymore.

I'm using a 4.0 upper hose to connect to my 4.0 radiator.
Of course there is a 4.0 water neck and a 4.0 engine at the engine end of the upper hose.

As for the lower hose the 4.0 Auto trans piece fits perfectly, because it's exactly the same as the '89-up Ranger/Bronco2 auto trans hose for a 2.9.

AD

dusto2 · Jul 17, 2008

MAKG said:
There isn't one.

The 4.0L upper intake is substantially different from the 2.9L upper intake. And obviously all 4.0L radiator hoses were designed for 4.0Ls.

i was refering to looking for one from some other vehic that can be trimmed down to fit not using the 4.0 hose

need an answer about radiator hoses quick

holyford86

Some guy with a problem

skinner

15+ Year Member

MAKG

15+ Year Member

dusto2

15+ Year Member

MAKG

15+ Year Member

holyford86

Some guy with a problem

AllanD

TRS Technical Staff

dusto2

15+ Year Member

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