What to do at ten years old

Okay, you convinced me. I ordered all new coolant hoses, including all of the small molded hoses. I will replace them all next week. I also will replace the SLT solenoid, new strainer, and add Lubeguard to the transmission, (different thread). That should do it for years to come.

 

So far I have replaced almost all of the coolant hoses. There are I think, seven molded hoses, besides the radiator hoses and the heater hoses. There is one molded hose that I can’t reach one clamp. I will take off the thermostat housing, then I think I can reach it. I ordered a new t-stat and O ring, hopefully this does the trick.
Just changing the radiator hoses is not enough. What about the other hoses? Don’t they count?

 

Had to remove the aluminum housing that the thermostat assembly bolts onto in order to get to that one molded hose clamp, but I did it. Now, all of the hoses that coolant flows though are replaced, plus a new thermostat. At least ten more trouble free years in front of me. I can concentrate on just changing the oil, greasing the u joints, etc. Easy Peasy!

 

Once you popped the hoses off, how'd they look? Mine approaching 10 years soon.

 

Actually, they did not look all that bad. I changed them because I replaced the fluid, and the serpentine belt, and I figured, the hoses are 10 years old. Better to change them at my convenience then have to change a leaker when it is 10F outside.

 

Good job WoodyWagon
That’s a fine-looking solid truck...all stock it appears. Hope you get another 20 years out of it.

 

Nice job. How does it feel to get to know your truck better and pocket a couple grand of wrench labor money?

 

I feel a sense of accomplishment.
And I definitely know my truck better.
And twenty years sounds good to me!

 

I changed my radiator after actually meeting a guy at the parts store who suffered the pink milkshake problem.
Older rads can leak coolant into the trans fluid, shitty idea and design. I found a new denso rad from rockauto for only $40.
Cheap insurance

 

In the 60's and early 70's hoses didn't seem to last long. Today, I have seen them go unbelievably far and long.

 

That was a definitely a problem with the Nissan Frontier, don’t think that’s happened to many Tacos?

 

Happened here and there on 1st gen taco / 3rd gen 4 runner radiators. VERY VERY rarely happens on 2nd gen taco rads.