1993 ranger lower radiator hose

[usnmatty]

My 1993 3.0 v-6 Ranger has a lower radiator hose with a tee in it that branches off and connects to a port at the top of the engine near the thermostat. This is not the standard set up for this model year. All of my research has resulted in only a straight hose being called out. Also, Ford Ranger lower radiator hoses do not seem to incorporate the "tee" design until around 2000. Has anybody else come across this issue?

 

[RonD]

Not common but was used earlier.

Look here: http://www.ranger-forums.com/2-9l-3-0l-v6-tech-32/lower-radiator-hose-138801/

My best guess on to why they added this would be because of changes in the heater system.

Cooling system is setup to push coolant out the upper rad hose and pull it back in on the lower rad hose.

When you add a thermostat and it is closed the coolant still needs to circulate thru the engine.
Usually the heater hoses were used for that, coolant always flowed thru heater core.
But that was changed and a By-pass valve was used, 4 hose connections.
So coolant could still circulate when heater was off.

1993 could have been a transition year on setting up best by-pass for closed thermostat and no heater core circulation with heat off.

It could also be there for colder climate applications, 3.0l did have issues with throttle body freeze up in cold weather.
The routing of some of the hotter coolant from thermostat area in to lower rad hose, by passing rad cooling effect, would keep engine warmer.

 

[usnmatty]

Wow! Mystery solved. Thanks for the reply and the link. The hose I have in there is a Motorcraft part, but part of the number has been rubbed off. It's been there 16 years, so it concerns me a bit about letting go. Looks like I might have to rig something up as a back up. Thanks again.