I would like to thank everyone who came up with suggestions.

I settled on using a 2-1/8 upper rad hose that went from the thermostat housing to within 4 " of the upper rad water neck (looked at a lot of hoses at the parts store). Then, with an exhaust reducer and 3" long short piece of smaller hose, I coupled it to the rad. (An idea I got from the coloradok5 website).

For the bottom, I went to the hardware store and found two pipe end caps for 1-1/2" and 2-1/2" standard pipe (I believe). When the end caps are reversed they fit snug into the hoses. I took a hole saw, cut openings in the ends of the caps, and welded them together. Along with a little grinding (inside and out) they worked well for a short reducer (2 inches). I could then put a 2" piece of 2-3/4" hose on the pump end and the regular lower hose on the other. The lower hose is rubbing the frame but I may be able to use a coolflex or something else to go to the rad.

I fired it up yesterday, ran it up to temperature, and everything held.

I'm sure the upper and lower rad hose inlets and outlets are correct because a few years back, I ordered rad hoses for that truck and they fit perfectly on the those rad outlets.

thanks again to everyone who responded,

ottoman