[Ironhorse]

Not sure when the General started doing that steel radiator hose. Only seen that on factory 4x4 trucks. My 71 4x4 has the steel radiator tube with a short rubber radiator hose section at both ends. My understanding is it aids in the truck frame verses engine "flex" when doing some serious 4 wheel drive movement. Reduced strain on a fixed radiator hose from radiator mouth to thermostat housing, preventing lose of coolant with overheating results.