Attention: TDR Forum Junkies A couple weeks ago I replaced my radiator, heater and boost hoses/boots. I have about 150k on the truck and thought it would be a good idea to replace them. They did not look all that bad but I got in on an SPA Silicone hose group buy a while back and the price was right so what the heck right(well thats what I told myself anyway). I finally got around to putting them on.
First off the Silicone hose kit quality was great. I cant believe how heavy duty these things are. A couple items needed minor trimming but no big deal. The boost boots on the pass side were a real pita to get on. The difference in boost boots was incredible compared to stock. These hoses must be 1/4 inch thick. The boost boots are at least twice as thick as the stockers.
To be honest that is what I was expecting but what was a bit suprising was the stock hoses/boots. They looked good and appeared to be in ok shape while on the truck. Upon close inspection of them after I got them off there were several places where the stock hoses had rubbed relatively thin. Mainly the lower radaitor hose where it makes the 90 bend into the radiator. It was rubbing on a wire loom well actually resting but vibration etc was definitely doing its thing. I also found a very very thin spot on my lower pass side boost boot. I never did figure out what had caused that but it was small and I suspect within a year it would have worn through. The stock boots are also incredibly flimsy or at least mine were.
The purpose of this is not to sell anyone on silicone hoses/boots though you would not be disappointed but to make you higher mileage folks aware to make sure and check the hard spots to see on them as mine looked in good shape but really did need to be changed out after all.
First off the Silicone hose kit quality was great. I cant believe how heavy duty these things are. A couple items needed minor trimming but no big deal. The boost boots on the pass side were a real pita to get on. The difference in boost boots was incredible compared to stock. These hoses must be 1/4 inch thick. The boost boots are at least twice as thick as the stockers.
To be honest that is what I was expecting but what was a bit suprising was the stock hoses/boots. They looked good and appeared to be in ok shape while on the truck. Upon close inspection of them after I got them off there were several places where the stock hoses had rubbed relatively thin. Mainly the lower radaitor hose where it makes the 90 bend into the radiator. It was rubbing on a wire loom well actually resting but vibration etc was definitely doing its thing. I also found a very very thin spot on my lower pass side boost boot. I never did figure out what had caused that but it was small and I suspect within a year it would have worn through. The stock boots are also incredibly flimsy or at least mine were.
The purpose of this is not to sell anyone on silicone hoses/boots though you would not be disappointed but to make you higher mileage folks aware to make sure and check the hard spots to see on them as mine looked in good shape but really did need to be changed out after all.
