2004, 2wd XLT: How is your upper radiator hose laid out from the radiator to the engine.

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ReggieT

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My upper radiator hose is long and it runs from the radiator down and under the air intake and up and over the alternator, and about 1/3 is wedged between the rear of the alternator and the oil filler tube. Consequently, one of the nuts on the alternator is nearly embedded in it and it's just waiting to pop. Seems to me, a better layout would be to run it behind the oil filler tube. It seems to be long enough, and there is nothing back there to be a problem. If you have a similar truck, how is your's located? Is it even the correct hose? BTW. I posted earlier about testing my alternator, and it test bad. So I ordered one from EBay for $90 w/free ship. Since the local prices are about $150 plus tacks, it seemed like a good deal. Thanks for any comments..Reg..
 
I just checked YouTube just in case, and it appears that the hose is supposed to have a protective cover over it. I don't have it and wonder what I can use for that?
 
Here's the factory routing with the OE hose.

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That upper radiator hose is also vulnerable to wear from the big brass nut on the receiver dryer at 9 o'clock of Swshawaii picture.
I had to change mine due to the nut embedding an nasty slot from vibrating against the hose. I took the old hose and cut it to the length matching area where it rubbed against the nut. I then split it on the top side and securely wrapped it around the new hose and gently used plastic tie wraps around the outside. It would now have to wear thru the old jacket of the old thick rubber hose to be a problem. That thin outer black plastic mesh is not real protection from contact of sharp metal objects against the upper hose.
 
That upper radiator hose is also vulnerable to wear from the big brass nut on the receiver dryer at 9 o'clock of Swshawaii picture.
I had to change mine due to the nut embedding an nasty slot from vibrating against the hose. I took the old hose and cut it to the length matching area where it rubbed against the nut. I then split it on the top side and securely wrapped it around the new hose and gently used plastic tie wraps around the outside. It would now have to wear thru the old jacket of the old thick rubber hose to be a problem. That thin outer black plastic mesh is not real protection from contact of sharp metal objects against the upper hose.
It appears the hose definitely runs behind the oil filler tube, but I think your fix might work if I leave it just where it is, in front of the oil filler tube. With a piece of discarded hose, or something protective, plastic tied in the vulnerable area. Thanks for the pic. Seems there are a lot of threads about the vulnerability of this hose. Before I do something I'll regret, I will read those posts to make sure. Thanks again..Reg..
 
Probably no perfect solutions to this dilemma. If I run the hose behind the oil filler tube as it apparently is supposed to be, then it lays on my tranny fill tube. I read where someone apparently moved the tranny fill tube. Not sure how they did that. If I leave it in front of the oil filler tube with a piece of old hose as a buffer between the hose and the alt, then there are several issues, one is the heat from the radiator hose or it just blocking some of the cooling ports may not be good for the alt. Second, if I leave the metal shroud protecting the hose from alt. damage, the metal shroud may interfere or even cause a short in the delicate wiring of the alt. If I cobble up a large hook or a holder of some kind, or even a plastic tie to keep the hose up and against the upper portion of the oil filler tube, it may damage or loosen the tube itself. I have a new alt. on order, and will figure out something before installing unless someone has a better solution that works with no further damage to the hose, alt, or tranny filler.
 
My '04 is the same as the above pic. I have an old hose wrap at the AC conectors.
Im kinda of a nerd when it comes to hoses or tubing. When I get a new car or used car. I look at all the places that my be rub points. I have saved old hoses or plyable plastic. With zip ties I make rub protectors. For radiator and hoses that are under pressure. I check when the temp is cold and normal run temp. There is always some exspansion, that may put the hose against something.
 
Most of us just zip tied it to the ac hose and it stops rubbing on the alt and trans dipstick....
 
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