My rubber hoses have about 61,000 miles on them with no problems.  I think they are much more resistant to cracking than are the plastic pipes.  The hoses are probably not very resistant to abrasion, so you would have to be careful during installation to make sure they don't rub
on anything.  When I replace them I will not have to drop the fuel tank., just pull them through!

I bought my hose at Ram Auto Parts in West Sacramento.  These hoses are most often used on heavy equipment or marine applications so you might want to try an appropriate supplier.  Ram Auto is located in the industrial/trucking part of town.  They are also a Gates distributor.

CAUTION:  I just measured the plastic pipes on my '89 GL and their o.d. is about 1-1/2".   The 1-1/4" hose I used on my diesel Vanagon would be too small for a waterboxer.  I don't know if 1-1/2" heater hose and couplings are available.

Mike  <mjcatlin@pacbell.net>
Davis, Calif.

psheridans@netscape.net wrote:

> Hi Mike, thanks for the reply.
> How do you think the hose will hold up compared to the plastic ones? This is an air cooled van that I am convertiong to subaru water cooled, and I was thinking that mybe the rubber will out last the plastic used ones I was going to buy. Also where did you purchase this hose?
> TIA
> Mark K.
> mjcatlin@pacbell.net wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > M Kaz wrote:
> >
> > > . Has anyone replaced them with regular rubber coolant hoses?
> >
> > I replaced the metal coolant pipes on my '82 diesel with Gates 1-1/4" heater hose.  It cost about $80 for that much hose.  The outside diameter is pretty big, so I had to re-route one of the hoses to avoid a narrow spot over the fuel tank.
> >
> > Not sure if these are suitable for Vanagons with the plastic pipes...
> >
> >
> > Mike <mjcatlin@pacbell.net>
> > Davis, Calif.
> >
> >