No, not the top hose. The bottom hose is the return line, it could collapse if it's a cheap hose.

 

This little wire coil is used in some cheap radiator return hoses to prevent collapsing.

 

thanks, Mt goat.

I think I found my issue.

The radiator is only a year and a half old but it had pretty significant mineral deposits on the inside. I swaped out the radiator and the thermastat. The thermastat was also covered in minerals, felt like sand paper covering the radiator side. Hopefully this will fix my rising temps on hills. I think the mineral deposits were limiting heat transfer.

now I need to replace the freeze plug behind the starter (small leak there) and it will be ready to get back on the road.

 

The previous owner installed the headgaskets backwards. I bent a 1/8 steel rod into a J and shoved it up the thermostat housing and poked a hole through the headgasket. Not a ideal fix but it worked

 

Bahahaha!!!!!
Well buddie, looks like you found your issue .
Head gasket kit from Autozone and it looks like your good to go.