"It's in good shape, only worry about them when they get real soft."
This is not entirely true. Certain rubber compounds will harden and get brittle over time, even hoses. You should check the hose against a know good or new hose and compare.
It's hard to see and get to. Pulling the bottom radiator hose works just as well It's hard to see and get to. Pulling the bottom radiator hose works just as well
The radiator hose which I assume you mean although you write rad, is connected to the radiator. One on the top of the radiator and one on the bottom. the one on the top
This may mean there is a weak hose OR some sort of blockage in the radiator or cooling system.
The lower radiator hose is located at the bottom of the radiator.
Yes
In most cases the lower radiator hose feeds the water pump. The upper radiator hose feeds the radiator.
...probably between the engine and the radiator intake (the hose at the top of the radiator), probably mounted right on the engine. It shouldn't be hard to find, just trace the hose back from the radiator to the engine, where it couples into the engine that is where you should find the thermostat.
Look on top of the radiator and follow the hose from the radiator to the thermostat housing. Look on the bottom of the radiator and follow the hose up to bottom of the block.
It is on the bottom of the radiator but sometimes hard to get to. If it is, take the lower hose off instead.
a hose clamp
Look on top of the radiator and follow the hose from the radiator to the thermostat housing. Look on the bottom of the radiator and follow the hose up to bottom of the block.
drain the radiator down below the top hose and unhook the hose from the radiator and the engine and pull the hose off.