Has anybody replaced these plastic hoses that go from the chasis to the lift pump module? If so, how? Are diesel rated rubber hoses and screw clamps just as good or better"

 

I replaced the fuel lines from the tank to the lift pump (when still stock) with Gates AutoMaster fuel hose. ID 10mm and ID 8mm about 3 yards of each.

Got rid of a lot of problems with that.

The metal fuel lines along the frame on my truck were corroded and leaking. Got rid of all of them and the hose is still good after many years.

 

On my 01 I did the same as Alpine, and I did use screw clamps. The hose was still on there and it had at least 150k miles on it and no issues when I sold it to my BIL a few years ago..

 

I'm not understanding what "plastic" hoses you're referring to. The fuel lines from the tank to the engine are all 5/16" metal but with some plastic sheathing covering them over most of the tubing.

 

KATOOM, the plastic fuel line is indeed fuel line and not sheathing. I used to think they were there to prevent the steel lines from chafing, but that isn't the case. It's just semi-rigid tubing meant to connect the steel lines at each end for both supply and return. My guess is that Dodge used them since they were cheaper than rubber lines.

Problem is they get brittle as time goes on and develop stress cracks and leak, like mine did. I ended up replacing both lines from tank to engine with rubber fuel hose. That's when I learned that the plastic sections were just tubing and not sheathing.

If converting to rubber fuel hose, the supply and return are different sizes. One of them is 3/8 inch ID, the other is 5/16 inch ID. Use stainless steel hose clamps. The hose will also fit into the hangers that the steel lines sit in. You will have to access the top of the fuel tank to get to the tank module where the lines and tank sensor connect. If your skinny, you can do this without dropping the tank or lifting the bed by sitting up between the driveshaft and the tank.

 

Interesting. I'll have to look because I took off the supply line years ago and its still hanging in my garage. I dont remember any part of the line being flexible...