A friend of mind asked me why LR didn't use metal rather than plastic on those lines. A 1st thought might be cost as primary factor. In the real world there are disadvantages to metal line as well such as fatigue failures and being less flexible to allow easier mx in surrounding area.

I'm fairly certain that mine had not been replaced since new and simply shattered due to age. Those plastic lines should be replaced with new as a PM item every ?? years or so. Similar PM replacement would be advisable if heater/coolant hose was used as a substitute.
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Replaced my thermostat a couple of days ago with a PEM100990 eurospare branded replacement. Cruising at 60 MPH, temps steady at 188 F and idle is in low to mid 190s which is about a 5 degrees lower than before. No temp swings yet and will report back after further evaluation.

Old discolored stat was probably installed at the LR factory as it has the older plastic molded on date of 11-03 on housing. I'd previously removed it during several recent system cleanings/flushes and removed debris from the top of by-pass valve. Included photo shows what accumulated in just the week prior to replacement. Most of the chunks appear to have come from the disintegrating by-pass valve entry hose fitting that's subjected to the highest coolant temps. Fortunately the valve doesn't open enough to allow the large stuff to pass.
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Very nice!!!!

 

I'll be installing Magnaflow 16888 tonight, hopefully.

 

Lucky8 front driveshaft on and greased. Had no problems, except the piece of plate metal welded onto the side of the shaft (for balancing, I assume) was attached right up against the grease nipple, and I couldn't get my grease gun to attach. Had to unscrew it just enough that grease still entered the shaft but without completely removing the nipple. Now I have to figure out the SES codes for a misfire in cylinder 4. what's the best place to start?

 

Chasing P1171/P1174

 

Change your air filter element just prior to getting codes?
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Oil and filter chg today. Used Rotella T6 15W-40. Noticed the ticking has gone down from loud to just noticeable. Ordering new lower and upper hoses as well as thermostat since the upper hose from the T to the thermostat came off while driving only less than 5 miles down the road. Started to overheat, but shut it down just in time. Couldn't get it to stay on since I didn't have my vice grips for the clamps. Lesson learned! Going to purge the entire system, replace hoses and thermostat.
Side note...never realized that gurgling sound was due to air trapped in there and needed to be bled!

 

Worm-gear clamps as well?
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Nah, meant to say I couldn't compress them enough even with my gloved hands to fit the clamp over the hose and thermostat. Still, they must be a little worn for the hose to slip off clamped. With that said, I think I'll replace those as well with the screw down style clamp.