So back in July I changed upper and lower radiator hoses while I replaced a thermostat. They hadn't been done in the 5 years I have had the truck. Well, today the lower radiator hose decides to rupture. I spew fluid down the road, pull over and see the problem. It's single digits here today in Omaha, plus my tools aren't readily available. I call up a local Mom and Pop shop, Advanced Automotive in Elkhorn Nebraska. They get me in and out quickly. Thankfully it was just the hose, nothing more than that. Apparently defective or poorly built hose that I had received from AutoZone. Never can tell what's going to rear it's ugly head.

 

I paid the extra $$ to buy my upper and lower hose from the Ford Parts Counter... Yes, the lower hose cost $75 and I don't remember what the upper cost, but I did that about 8 years ago when my truck was around 8 years old and not a problem before or after...

I guess I should start to think about doing it again... 255,000 miles now and like I said, probably 8 years ago..

I've found that going to the Ford Parts Counter does cost more up front, but in the long run, you end up with much better parts and don't have to F@@@ with them in a couple of years...

That's just been my experience with it.. Not saying it's going to be that way for you or anyone else, but I've learned to not let price determine the 'best deal' out there by any means...

Good luck!

Mitch

 

In the old days, I changed hoses often. But, when Autozone and Advance came around they sold some really cheap crap for hoses for a while. Maybe they are better now. Anyhow, I run my oe hoses a long time now because I feel like they are better quality than anything I can buy from China. In fact my 12 yr old truck and my two 8 year old cars still have the oe hoses on them.

 

Happy New Year Fellers.

Still have the original factory hoses on the 98. Fords been using Lifetime hoses since 97, - lifetime gaskets since 98 (everywhere). Partial for 97.

That said, - Intake gaskets won't go a lifetime, they had a problem w/those.

 

You can always save money on OEM parts by ordering them from Tasca. They have recently reestablished their presence on the forum, and Steve seems to be more than willing to help out.

 

Problem discovered.

Yes yes, very correct

My girlfriend's father gets frustrated when he hears I buy from the dealer, or stick to factory stuff. He is die-hard autozone. Difference is, my sheet doesn't break down repeatedly .

Only being 24, what I have learned this far with automotive stuff is, if it was designed specifically for it when new, and by the company itself, it is probably the right item to use for your future repair. Stuff like exhausts, brakes, exhaust manifolds, light bulbs etc however, is prone to failure from abuse, may as well buy high quality aftermarket and improve a thing or two.

 

Rock Auto frequently carry's OEM part as well. That said My 99 F150 and my 99 Crown Vic still are almost all original except I did replace the heater hose in my F150 when I did the engine swap. I'm not going to replace them until they start to break..

 

Rock Auto is great. Good prices, and fast shipping. Got a set of lugs for about $40 shipped, and got it here in 2 days.

 

Agreed with all above. However, Gates makes great products and supplies many OEM's. I have put all Gates hoses throughout on mine along with the belt drive system.

 

Bit of a difference between a Gates hose and a Duralast hose..................

 

I use gates or goodyear belts and hoses. I like the gatorback belts. Never had a problem

 

Rock auto also carry's gates and goodyear. Probably get those at rock auto for the price of the duracrap at autozone

 

Also, I have been just ordering off Amazon. Believe it or not, it's cheaper than Rockauto almost every time.

 

yes I've been ordering some things that way to. usually not allot cheaper but still every cent counts. Some projects are just easier to get it all at rock auto though..

 

both of my 03s have original hoses at 140k and 102k