Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: flopicok on February 18, 2011, 06:18:33 PM

Title: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: flopicok on February 18, 2011, 06:18:33 PM
I need a new rad for my 98 TJ. Its a 4.0l auto w/ tranny cooler.

My question is, would a Rad out of a 2.5 l be the same? If not, are there any other jeeps that I could steal a rad from ? While I'm on the topic, an OEM rad is listed at $440, which seems excessive. Are there any good after market rads that would cost less and be worth my time to get ??

Thanks for your help guys,
Andrew
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: LEMON-AID JAY on February 18, 2011, 07:38:32 PM
2.5l tj rad and a 4.0l tj rad are the same  ;)
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: vantagetes on February 18, 2011, 08:00:35 PM
87-06 Wrangler radiators use all the same mounting so you could steal one from a YJ, however a 2.5 is 1 row and a 4.0 is 2 row.

$440 seems a bit retarded www.radiatorbarn.com has them for like $180

http://parts.autopartsonlinecanada.com/parts/apocanada/wizard.jsp?year=1998&make=JP&model=WRAN-SPORT-004&category=G&part=Radiator

http://www.autopartsway.ca/PartList.cfm?Jeep/1998/Wrangler/Sport/4.0L_L6/allB/Cooling/Radiators,_Coolers_and_Related_Components/Radiator/pagenum1/tabS

There's also a whack of radiator shops in calgary that could rebuild/build you a new one. I know our shop at work deals with http://www.citywideradiator.com/ and they will come pick up your old one then deliver the new/rebuilt one for free.
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: BrokenAxle on February 18, 2011, 08:32:42 PM
I could get you an aftermarket one for around $150.

Dave
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: vantagetes on February 18, 2011, 08:33:38 PM
I could get you an aftermarket one for around $150.

Dave

Is that plastic or metal tanks?
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: BrokenAxle on February 19, 2011, 04:09:24 PM
that one has the plastic tanks.
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: cLAY on February 20, 2011, 10:40:33 AM
Can  you get ones with metal tanks? Been looking for one for my '93 ZJ 5.2L for a while now.
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: BrokenAxle on February 20, 2011, 10:03:33 PM
i seem to recall being able to.  I will look into it maybe tomorrow, at the latest tuesday!
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: LLYJ on February 21, 2011, 10:40:05 AM
I had mine built at 1-800-radiator  - I specified an all metal unit with 3 rows,. he said that was the first 3 row, all metal YJ rad he had been asked to build. I told him if he kept it at the 150 bucks he charged me he would likely sell a whack of em at that price - that was 2 years ago, and was well worth the cost for what I got (plus a free t-shirt, box of nitrile gloves, bunch of stickers)  also came with the built in tran cooler and fittings If i did need them.

I found the guy on ebay but ended up doing business over the phone with a credit card
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: LLYJ on February 21, 2011, 10:43:56 AM
PS - if you look at my pics it looks aluminum but I just painted it silver for the look - I wanted a steel so I could solder it in a pinch if need be
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: JJonesee on February 21, 2011, 03:32:57 PM
87-06 Wrangler radiators use all the same mounting so you could steal one from a YJ, however a 2.5 is 1 row and a 4.0 is 2 row.


Not completely true - 04-06 Autos have a different part number. I dont care what half of the websites say - its not the same.  I had a Radiator fail on my 06 and it took 3 days to find the right one. (The fittings on the auto connection are the only difference)After I drove around and looked at 8 diff radiators in parts houses.  I lucked out and 1800Raditor had one in stock.

I have dealt with them in the states only - but they have saved me more than once.

By the way - Im surprised your 98 lasted this long.  In the south they lasted just over a year. My 98 lasted to 30K miles..

https://www.1800radiator.com/
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: cLAY on February 21, 2011, 04:52:43 PM
Tranny cooler fittings can be a real pain. Replaced a rad in a '97 ZJ with one from Crappy Tire. It came with an adapter for one of the tranny lines but not the other. Had to make something up from stuff I had kicking around.
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: BrokenAxle on February 23, 2011, 07:05:42 PM
sorry guys, the all metal ones are all up there around the 400+ range.  the 1800radiator may just be the best bet!
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: cLAY on February 23, 2011, 07:24:46 PM
Thanks anyway. Thats about what others had quoted me.
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: BrokenAxle on February 23, 2011, 08:18:18 PM
No problem!
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: BlackYJ on February 24, 2011, 07:37:35 AM
I got mine from Extreme Radiator, http://extremeradiator.com/jeep/ (http://extremeradiator.com/jeep/).  Great rad and probably cost me a little over $300.
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: jpthing on February 24, 2011, 11:49:18 AM
2.5l tj rad and a 4.0l tj rad are the same  ;)

I could be wrong but when I swapped a 4.0 into my 2.5 TJ I ended up needeing a new rad...I think the 4.0 rad is thicker? or has 3 sets of tubes instead of 2?
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: BlackYJ on February 25, 2011, 07:38:17 AM
I could be wrong but when I swapped a 4.0 into my 2.5 TJ I ended up needeing a new rad...I think the 4.0 rad is thicker? or has 3 sets of tubes instead of 2?

I ran the same rad when with swap for a couple years with no problems
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: JJonesee on March 09, 2011, 09:26:00 PM
Did you end up getting a radiator?

Mine has started to leak 

I need a new rad for my 98 TJ. Its a 4.0l auto w/ tranny cooler.

My question is, would a Rad out of a 2.5 l be the same? If not, are there any other jeeps that I could steal a rad from ? While I'm on the topic, an OEM rad is listed at $440, which seems excessive. Are there any good after market rads that would cost less and be worth my time to get ??

Thanks for your help guys,
Andrew
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: yellowjeep101 on March 10, 2011, 03:26:27 AM
Call Bowness auto, I just did this, I paid 300 with all new coolant.
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: vantagetes on March 10, 2011, 01:09:10 PM
Call Bowness auto, I just did this, I paid 300 with all new coolant.

Metal or plastic tanks?
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: Herby on March 22, 2011, 01:44:44 PM
I'm going to recommend these guys.  http://btr-radiator.com/  They are out of Georgia and know their stuff.   Very strong builds.  Just ordered a 3 core metal Jeep replacement (GM conversion) rad for $209.  With shipping it would be a little more, but I have a buddy near the border.... ;) 
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: Rubicon Josh on March 24, 2011, 11:31:09 AM
I bought an all aluminum radiator from Reliable Radiator on Ebay. The cost was $210 plus about $65 for shipping and $10 in GST. There wasn't any duty to worry about. I first ordered a 3 core rad but after installing it I noticed that it weaped from the top of the core. My local rad shop said that it was unrepairable due to the braizing process. Michael at Relaible Radiator was great to deal with and he had a new one shipped out right away after showing proof of shipping that I was sending the original back.

I ended up replacing it with a 2 core on the second time around however as I noticed that the clearance between the water pump shaft and my fan was only a couple of mm. When accelerating there was enough movement in the engine for it to flex on the motor mounts upwaqrd and into the fan causing the fan to rub on the radiator. The 2 core is about 1/2" thinner and does not have this issue. I am running an electric fan which I think takes up less room that the factory clutch fan. Just something to think about before you make any decisions.
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: flopicok on March 26, 2011, 05:10:17 PM
Well I finally got it all sorted out. I ended up going with an over the counter plastic rad (due to tine constraints) and after the swapping it out twice, got one that doesn't leak. Thank you to both lemonadejay and Dave at broken axle, you guys were both a pleasure to deal with.

As for your rad that's leaking, be prepared for something else to let go after you change the rad. I had a huge ordeal with my entire coolant system after I got it back to full pressure. Everything is new now and thankfully, no leaks. If you need a hand putting it in, let me know. Needless to say, I have a bit of experience with it now lol. That being said, even with the ordeal of the new rad leaking and having to replace it again, the Autovalue rads got really well.

Thanks to all for your help, and I hope I may have answered a few questions.
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: JJonesee on March 27, 2011, 08:10:54 PM
After searching around - I ended up getting one from a dealer.  04-06 with an Auto has different fittings as I mentioned above.  None of the over the counter places even list another part for 04-06 Auto.

I considered AL.  But found quite a bit of research on the factory being the best. (in an auto application anyway)
Title: Re: Radiator Question... searched, to no avail
Post by: LLYJ on March 30, 2011, 09:34:57 AM
Kinda makes sense (flopi) - as soon as I replaced my rad, my heater core went - I suspect the pressure relief offered by the 1st leaking rad mitigated the leak in heater core, as soon one was fixed the other was doomed to go too.