1500 - Radiator Hose Replacement 🚚

Got it—you want to replace a radiator hose on your 2015 1500. On your truck there is an upper and a lower radiator hose. The basic steps are similar, but access and coolant loss are different.

Quick question before we dive in:

• 🔧 Are you replacing the upper hose, the lower hose, or both?

I'll give you the full guide assuming you may want to do both hoses (most shops replace them as a pair). You can skip the one you’re not doing.

1500 - Tools, Parts & Safety 🧰

Parts you’ll need:

• 🔧 Upper radiator hose (3.6L, 4WD, SLT)
• 🔧 Lower radiator hose
• 🔧 New hose clamps (if your new hoses don’t include them; use constant-tension or worm-gear clamps)
• 🔧 Coolant: HOAT / OAT type specified by Ram (usually Mopar 10-year / 150,000-mile OAT, purple or orange—match what’s in the truck)
• 🔧 Distilled water (if mixing concentrate)

Tools you’ll need:

• 🔧 Socket set (metric): 8mm, 10mm, 13mm sockets, ratchet, short extension
• 🔧 Flat-blade screwdriver (for worm-gear clamps and gently prying hoses)
• 🔧 Hose clamp pliers or regular pliers (for spring-style clamps; clamp pliers lock onto the clamp)
• 🔧 Drain pan (at least 10–12 liters capacity)
• 🔧 Funnel (for refilling coolant)
• 🔧 Shop rags or paper towels
• 🔧 Safety glasses and mechanic gloves
• 🔧 Optional: coolant spill-free funnel kit (helps bleed air from the system)

Safety first ⚠️

• ⚠️ Never open the radiator cap or hoses on a hot engine. Let the truck cool completely (at least 1–2 hours after driving).
• ⚠️ Coolant is toxic to people and animals. Always catch it in a pan and dispose of it properly.
• ⚠️ Keep the truck in PARK, parking brake on, engine off, keys out.

1500 - Prep & Coolant Drain 🧊

1. Let the engine cool 🧯
   • Wait until the upper radiator hose feels cool to the touch.
2. Remove engine cover (if equipped) 🔩
   • On the 3.6L, the plastic engine cover usually pulls up off rubber grommets. Lift gently at the corners.
3. Open the hood and locate components 👀
   • Upper hose: runs from the top of the radiator (driver side) to the thermostat housing/front of engine.
   • Lower hose: runs from the bottom of the radiator (driver side) to the water pump area on the engine.
   • Coolant reservoir: plastic tank on the passenger side of the engine bay.
4. Relieve pressure 🧪
   • Slowly loosen the coolant reservoir cap to release any remaining pressure. If you hear hissing, wait until it stops.
5. Position drain pan 🛢️
   • Slide the drain pan under the lower radiator area on the driver side.
6. Drain coolant (easier way for a beginner) 💧
   • Instead of using the radiator drain plug (can be fragile), you can:
     • Loosen the lower radiator hose clamp at the radiator side.
     • Twist and pull the hose off slowly and let coolant drain into the pan.
   • If you only want to lose minimal coolant for an upper hose only job, you can:
     • Clamp the lower hose with a hose pinch-off tool (if you have one) and just crack the lower hose enough to drain a few liters.

1500 - Upper Radiator Hose Replacement 🔼

1. Locate the clamps
   • One clamp at the radiator neck, one at the thermostat housing/engine side.
   • Your truck may have spring clamps (squeeze with pliers) or worm-gear clamps (tighten with screwdriver/8mm socket).
2. Loosen/remove clamps
   • For spring clamps: squeeze the tabs with pliers or clamp pliers and slide the clamp back along the hose.
   • For worm-gear clamps: turn counterclockwise until loose, then slide back.
3. Remove the hose
   • Twist the hose gently to break it free. If it’s stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver to carefully lift the edge of the hose—but do not gouge the plastic radiator neck or metal housing.
   • Pull the hose off both ends and remove it.
4. Clean the fittings
   • Wipe the radiator neck and thermostat housing neck with a clean rag.
   • Remove any old rubber stuck to the fittings.
5. Install the new upper hose
   • Compare new hose to old one to confirm shape and length.
   • Slide the clamps onto the hose first.
   • Push the hose fully onto the radiator neck and engine neck until it seats against the stops.
6. Position and tighten clamps
   • Place clamps behind the raised bead on each neck (this keeps the hose from slipping off).
   • Spring clamps: release pliers so the clamp grips firmly.
   • Worm-gear clamps: tighten snugly (about 35–45 in-lb, not gorilla tight). Do not overtighten on plastic radiator neck.

1500 - Lower Radiator Hose Replacement 🔽

1. Access the lower hose
   • You may need to remove the lower splash shield under the front bumper:
     • Remove several 10mm bolts and/or plastic push clips.
2. Loosen/remove clamps
   • Same as upper hose: one clamp at the radiator bottom outlet, one at the engine/water pump side.
3. Remove the hose
   • Expect more coolant to drain when you pull the lower hose off.
   • Twist and pull; use gentle prying if needed, being careful with the radiator outlet.
4. Clean fittings and install new hose
   • Wipe both necks clean.
   • Compare new hose to old one.
   • Slide clamps onto the hose, then push hose fully onto both fittings.
5. Position and tighten clamps
   • Place clamps behind the raised bead and secure as above.

1500 - Refill & Bleed the Cooling System 💦

1. Close everything up underneath
   • Make sure the lower hose is fully installed and tight.
   • Reinstall the lower splash shield if removed (10mm bolts snug, about 35–45 in-lb).
2. Mix coolant (if using concentrate)
   • Use a 50/50 mix of Mopar-spec coolant and distilled water unless you bought premixed.
3. Fill via coolant reservoir
   • Install a funnel in the reservoir.
   • Slowly fill until the level reaches the “MAX” line.
   • On some 3.6L setups, you may need to top off a bit more as air burps out.
4. Bleed air from the system
   • Leave the reservoir cap off for now.
   • Start the engine and set:
     • Heater to HOT
     • Fan on low
   • Let the engine idle. Watch the coolant level in the reservoir and add as needed to keep it near MAX.
   • As the engine warms up, the thermostat will open and the upper hose will get hot. You may see bubbles in the reservoir—this is air purging.
5. Check for leaks
   • Look at all hose connections (upper and lower) for any drips.
   • If you see a leak, shut off the engine and tighten the clamp slightly.
6. Final level set
   • Once the engine reaches normal operating temperature and no more bubbles appear, shut the engine off.
   • Let it cool completely again.
   • Recheck coolant level in the reservoir and top off to the MAX line if needed.
   • Install the reservoir cap firmly.

1500 - After the Job ✅

• 🔍 Test drive: Take a short drive, watch the temperature gauge (it should stay in the normal range, not overheat).
• 🔍 Recheck for leaks after the drive, especially around the hose ends.
• 🧪 Dispose of old coolant properly: Most parts stores or service centers accept used coolant.

Want Parts & Tools Fast? 🛒

I’ll show you the correct hoses, clamps, coolant, and tools for your 1500 in the HowToo parts section below. You can add them straight to your cart from there.

Reply with: whether you did the upper, lower, or both, and if you notice any leaks or overheating. I can help you double-check anything that looks suspicious.

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! 🚀