Time For New Hoses and Lines 2004 Gen III

[Johnny ViperBro]

Evening Gentlemen,

Huge fan of our cars.
Nothing turns heads like a Viper.
Unfortunately, some of our machines are aging, especially the rubber under the hood.

I am doing a tip to tail upgrade and restoration of the rubber in my car. (I expect to spend about $1,500 +/- not including tires)

Starting with tires which I already have on order (3-4 month wait, Pricing was fair) Old tires were 4-5 years old. They have to go.

For the question of replacing hoses and lines under the hood, I have found these searching the site.

The Hard Radiator Pipe kit for the Radiator.
https://www.racingsolutions.com/prod...dge-viper.html

And these stainless lines for the oil cooler.
https://www.racingsolutions.com/prod...3-4-viper.html

And these stainless lines power steering.
https://www.racingsolutions.com/prod...kit-gen-3.html

The lines running to and from the coolant tank (Of which I believe there are three) are starting to look worn.
It would appear as if one was routed incorrectly and is beginning to wear thin on one "side".

It's only a matter of time before she blows.

And God bless my mechanic for replacing all the fluids(not cheap) and not mentioning the dry rot under the hood. (What a hero...)

I will also need a new pair of windshield wipers (Likely I can still source these from Dodge?)

In short, I would like all stainless steel lines and the braided steel hose kits. So this can be a done deal.

My Viper is a 2004 Gen 3.

What would you do, or what have you done?

I suppose having some lines fabricated is an option?

I am not overly concerned with price as long as the parts are bulletproof.

I would prefer to NOT purchased rubber lines and hoses from a salvaged Viper as they are probably the same age as my mine.

Thanks guys! This site has taught me more about Viper parts then any google search combined in the last hour.

[Steve M]

I would not personally do the oil cooler lines you linked above. I see two major problems:

1. They use adapter fittings (nothing inherently wrong with them, but they are another possible failure point)
2. They have nothing covering the stainless braid (i.e. they will eventually saw through anything they touch)

These are more expensive, but they are done "right" in my book: http://viperspecialtyperformance.com...roducts_id/196

I'd also talk to Dan Lesser at Viper Specialty Performance about the power steering lines. He isn't the cheapest, but he doesn't half ass anything. Not sure if he's able to help with those at the moment, but here is a reply about this exact topic from a few years ago:

https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...l=1#post319955

I'm indifferent on the hard radiator pipe to replace the factory hose.

[RobertP]

Another option is JTSVP. I have used them and they are great to deal with.

https://shop.jtsvp.com/product.sc?pr...categoryId=242

https://shop.jtsvp.com/product.sc?pr...categoryId=242

https://shop.jtsvp.com/product.sc?pr...categoryId=242

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

PartsRack has 3 tire options for SRT that can ship........... TODAY

Over $5,000,000 of Viper Tires sold, and counting.

JonB@PartsRack.com


Aftermarket stuff here: www.ViperPartsrack.com

OE stuff like wipers here: www.ViperPartsRackAmerica.com

Thank You

[Viper vince]

I would not personally do the oil cooler lines you linked above. I see two major problems:

1. They use adapter fittings (nothing inherently wrong with them, but they are another possible failure point)
2. They have nothing covering the stainless braid (i.e. they will eventually saw through anything they touch)

These are more expensive, but they are done "right" in my book: http://viperspecialtyperformance.com...roducts_id/196

I'd also talk to Dan Lesser at Viper Specialty Performance about the power steering lines. He isn't the cheapest, but he doesn't half ass anything. Not sure if he's able to help with those at the moment, but here is a reply about this exact topic from a few years ago:

https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...l=1#post319955

I'm indifferent on the hard radiator pipe to replace the factory hose.

I bought mine last year from Dan Lesser a little expensive but the hoses fit excellent and much easier to install than the stock ones.

[efnfast]

You can also build your own oil lines out of Aeroquip starlite hose (-10). The o-ring adapters at the block and cooler are standard Aeroquip parts (can't remember the size but there are several threads on here with the size/part number listed)

You don't need to change tires every 4-5yrs. I run mine for 10-12yrs before changing.

I wouldn't r&r everything unless it looked like it needed it - I just re-did the entire cooling system in my 65 cobra ... after I took it apart I thoroughly inspected it; it had 18yrs of use on it and probably could have gone another 18. but if you want to replace it, just google '2004 viper coolant hoses' - there are several vendors of replacement silicone hoses.

[Old School]

You can also build your own oil lines out of Aeroquip starlite hose (-10). The o-ring adapters at the block and cooler are standard Aeroquip parts (can't remember the size but there are several threads on here with the size/part number listed)

Yeah, I made my own oil hoses but bought pre-made power steering hoses because of the pressure involved. Both been on for 50k miles.

[Viper Specialty]

As mentioned above... Our oil cooler lines are more expensive, but we dont cut corners. A total of (5) variations are available from mild to wild. Ours are expensive because the components are expensive. Whether we sell standard lines or the top-end lines, they are all priced as parts cost + inbound shipping + assembly time on average. You get what you pay for!

I cannot condone competitor oil lines. We don't use the materials that they use... for good reason. If cost is your #1 concern... it wont be anymore after fighting JIC fitting leaks or damage caused by stainless braids + time.

Also, I generally do NOT recommend power steering line kits. There is nothing wrong with the OE lines if you know how to properly repair them. The aftermarket lines... well, see above. Same exact issues.

And for the record, don't take my post as saying "failure imminent!". Its how I operate... if something has a downside, even if that downside means "some shit I dont see gets scratched up"... then it wont be used. Period. Proper components should not have compromises.

[Johnny ViperBro]

I would not personally do the oil cooler lines you linked above. I see two major problems:

1. They use adapter fittings (nothing inherently wrong with them, but they are another possible failure point)
2. They have nothing covering the stainless braid (i.e. they will eventually saw through anything they touch)

These are more expensive, but they are done "right" in my book: http://viperspecialtyperformance.com...roducts_id/196

I'd also talk to Dan Lesser at Viper Specialty Performance about the power steering lines. He isn't the cheapest, but he doesn't half ass anything. Not sure if he's able to help with those at the moment, but here is a reply about this exact topic from a few years ago:

https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...l=1#post319955

I'm indifferent on the hard radiator pipe to replace the factory hose.

Thanks. I will research this.

[Johnny ViperBro]

You can also build your own oil lines out of Aeroquip starlite hose (-10). The o-ring adapters at the block and cooler are standard Aeroquip parts (can't remember the size but there are several threads on here with the size/part number listed)

You don't need to change tires every 4-5yrs. I run mine for 10-12yrs before changing.

I wouldn't r&r everything unless it looked like it needed it - I just re-did the entire cooling system in my 65 cobra ... after I took it apart I thoroughly inspected it; it had 18yrs of use on it and probably could have gone another 18. but if you want to replace it, just google '2004 viper coolant hoses' - there are several vendors of replacement silicone hoses.

Ok Cool. I will look into tires again. How many miles did you out on these tires?
I have 25,000 miles on some Michellin Super Sports that are rated for 40,000 Miles IIRC.

10-12 years? That sounds like WAY too long to wait. I know on my motorcycle that would be a miserable riding experience.

[Steve M]

I keep tires a max of 6 years...after that, the rubber seems to get really hard regardless of miles.

It doesn't matter so much on an underpowered family hauler, but on a Viper? That's the only thing keeping you from visiting your nearest ditch.

Tires ain't cheap, but it's cheaper than repairing a low production number high performance vehicle.