Radiator replacement

[Juice]

Thank the great Jeep Gods we are back.

I am in need of a good radiator to replace the one I have in the truck now (91 GW Final Ed.) I plan on doing a lot of towing this summer so I could use some suggestions. Do I go for a 3 row or 4? I wouold think 4 but someone told me that you get better air flow through a 3. Any ideas? Also how hard is it to pull out and repalce? The Haynes manual just breezed past it... Any and all tips would be welcome.

Glad to see everyone weathered the storm well.

[Frank]

I'm in the same boat - over the past few weeks, my rad has started leaking from just below the cap. I'm ready to get a new one as I've gone the rebuild route before and I'd be happier dropping a new one in.
So, I'm all ears as well.
BTW, it's been a while - sorry to hear of the net problems but it's good to see the site up again. Thanks Adam!

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Frank
'88 Grand Wagoneer, "Sluggo"
Box Stock, 2" Bodylift

[Va-Rob]

What ever you decide I would recomend a new radiator not rebuilt, I think I paid about 350 for mine. For towing a transmition cooler will be more usefull than anything else and install it in=line with the radiator.

Rob

[fsj401]

I just bought a modine 3 core for a decent price...although i forget exactly what it was, but you can call around and check the net, I know some others who have the same radiator and it ust doesnt get hot, esp. with a derale 16 inch cooling fan attached.

Jeff

[River Beast]

I got a 4-core HD rad from AutoZone for $199...Checkers Auto has the same thing.... they both carry a lifetime warranty.

FYI... the 4-core rads originally came with the 401...so you may need to ask for the 401 option...I had to for my 78. It was a perfect fit!!!!

I recommend the 4-core...especially for towing

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Todd
"The NEW River Beast" (http://home.earthlink.net/~tjnkk)
http://home.earthlink.net/~riverbeast/rbthnl.jpg
14" of total Lift on 39.5" Swampers
44's locked with 4.89's
...and other stuff...
My Original FSJ site (http://www.geocities.com/spazz4life)
riverbeast@earthlink.net
"When approaching an intersection, remember...
the vehicle with the BIGGEST TIRES has the right of way..."

'93 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban...a.k.a. "FSJ Hauler"

[Juice]

Thanks guys...I have the standard 360 in my rig and I was leaning towards the 4 row. I did some surfing and found a couple of sites that sell rads with a life time warrenty...

Any hints on how to replace it? I have never done anything like this before and I'm a little gun shy about tweaking my DD. Any tricks of the trade would help.

[River Beast]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Juice:
Thanks guys...I have the standard 360 in my rig and I was leaning towards the 4 row. I did some surfing and found a couple of sites that sell rads with a life time warrenty...

Any hints on how to replace it? I have never done anything like this before and I'm a little gun shy about tweaking my DD. Any tricks of the trade would help.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Simple swap, Juice:

Drain the rad fluid
Disconnect upper and lower rad hoses
Disconnect the tranny cooling lines from the rad
loosen belts and Remove the fan... leave it there in the shroud until you remove the 4 rad mounting bolts that hold the shroud and the rad to the
body.
Carefully remove the shroud and fan
pull out the rad and swap in the new

Install in reverse order.....

------------------
Todd
"The NEW River Beast" (http://home.earthlink.net/~tjnkk)
http://home.earthlink.net/~riverbeast/rbthnl.jpg
14" of total Lift on 39.5" Swampers
44's locked with 4.89's
...and other stuff...
My Original FSJ site (http://www.geocities.com/spazz4life)
riverbeast@earthlink.net
"When approaching an intersection, remember...
the vehicle with the BIGGEST TIRES has the right of way..."

'93 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban...a.k.a. "FSJ Hauler"

[Juice]

Thanks RB you da man!

On another note I was just walking out to my rig from my office and a parent of a kid who is interviewing today asked if I knew who's GW that was. Of course I proudly said "me" and he told me that his sister has the exact model that she wants to sell for parts. I figure if I let the kid into school maybe i could get the parts rig for free. I wonder how badly they want their kid to go to this shcool... I will keep everyone informed if this should come to happen.

[ARJeepman]

I got mine from dicountradiators.com....142 bucks with free shipping. Haven't had a problem yet.

[reddog]

I have heard before around here and also experienced the problem myself that the radiator is shaken hard in GWs. My lower tank seam is leaking now and I have had the mounting bracket come un-soldiered on my 84. Both "were" good radiators (modine). When I R&R this one to get it repaired I am going to try to put in an aluminum brace where the radiator mounts to try to stiffen up the mounting points some. It seems that the radiator mounting points are not too rigid so that the radiator gets alot of shaking. Just an idea to think about while you've got it out.

Kerry

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87 GW - Stock (but it looks like RiverBeast when I'm sleeping)
TFI upgrade
360,727,NP229

[Lococoin]

man once again i wish i lived in the states...the dollar compared to the canadian one kills guys like me who need parts...i was rooting through some willows and rammed a stick into my fan blade which bent and proceeded to trash my rad

i soldered it up( the 40 holes that it had) but i dont know how long that will last...is there any other kind of truck that the shape of a a77 j20 rad came from??

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77 jeep J20
360 four barrel
t18a Dana 20
dana 60 rear
dana 44 front
3.73 gears with limited slip in rear
4" Superlift
35 X 12.5 Bf Goodrich M/T
SOA coming soon...i hope