So, I'm thinking it might be time to replace my coolant hoses. I crawled under there and the hoses look to be great condition but they also look to be the originals. The chassis is an '02. Problem is, they don't look to be anything I could pick up at the local auto parts. I haven't been able to find them on-line, any suggestions?

Correction, I DID find the hoses online. $80 for the lower assembly and $30 for the upper hose. Is that insane ? or am I? I suffer sticker shock just about daily but this is getting out of hand !

Take the old hoses into a NAPA store and see what they have to say. Might be more expensive than you think they are worth but you are looking at replacing a 15 year old hose.

Local parts place might be able to come up with a replacement for the upper but that lower piece consists of at least 4 separate hoses and a couple of fittings - all oddly shaped. Heck, Auto Zone couldn't even come up with the correct idler pulleys or serpentine belt. Yeah, I know, 15 years and all. Time to do it. Once I swipe the card I'll ignore the receipt and life will be good.

I replace my hoses, belts and anti-freeze every 30,000 miles. Fuel filter, too. As far as the hoses go, the top radiator hose is no problem The bottom one...can be. I would suggest you go to Ford to get it.

F53 V10 radiator hose replacement | Good Sam Community

btcruzer
Explorer
Jan 30, 2017
Correction, I DID find the hoses online. $80 for the lower assembly and $30 for the upper hose. Is that insane ? or am I? I suffer sticker shock just about daily but this is getting out of hand !
dons2346
Explorer
Jan 30, 2017
Take the old hoses into a NAPA store and see what they have to say. Might be more expensive than you think they are worth but you are looking at replacing a 15 year old hose.
btcruzer
Explorer
Jan 30, 2017
Local parts place might be able to come up with a replacement for the upper but that lower piece consists of at least 4 separate hoses and a couple of fittings - all oddly shaped. Heck, Auto Zone couldn't even come up with the correct idler pulleys or serpentine belt.
Yeah, I know, 15 years and all. Time to do it. Once I swipe the card I'll ignore the receipt and life will be good.
ArchHoagland
Explorer
Jan 30, 2017
Have you replaced the belts?
jerseyjim
Explorer
Jan 30, 2017
I replace my hoses, belts and anti-freeze every 30,000 miles. Fuel filter, too. As far as the hoses go, the top radiator hose is no problem The bottom one...can be. I would suggest you go to Ford to get it.
garyemunson
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2017
If your engine doesn't leak oil onto them, you can probably squeak 15 years out of hoses safely. Hoses and belts have improved a lot over the years. That said, I always replace mine every 10 years. They cost more than the ones for my old Bronco but hey, I've got 10 years to save up for them. I think jersey jim's 30000 mile interval is overkill but then again, I would bet big money he's never lost a hose or belt!
Effy
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2017
btcruzer wrote:
Correction, I DID find the hoses online. $80 for the lower assembly and $30 for the upper hose. Is that insane ? or am I? I suffer sticker shock just about daily but this is getting out of hand !

Amortize that $110 over 15 years and it's nothing. frankly I am surprised they didn't cost more.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2017
First, my '98 E150 with 130,000 miles has the original radiator and front heater hoses.

The bottom hose is a Motorcraft KM4360 $89 on Amazon. $81 + shipping on Rock Auto
Gjac
Explorer III
Jan 30, 2017
Are the hoses bulging? Delaminated? or cracked where the hose clamp is? Then I would replace them no matter hold old or new they are. Sometimes if there is enough slack in the hose and the are cracked on the ends you can cut an in off the ends and put the hose clamp back on.
crasster
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2017
What I would do is get under there and if the hoses are springy and return to position and not mushy I would not change them. Period. It's just rubber with fibers going through it. Not complex. Most modern radiator fluids actually can keep hoses going longer. You said they looked to be in great shape... If they feel like they should (spring back into form and hold resistance to squishing) and they don't feel like they are weak, keep em. If it caused sticker shock return em.