Topic: radiator upgrade

[Burl]

Been searching the forum and havn't found much.  I have an 85 runner and it gets a little warmer than I would like when pulling steep grades.  What would be a good radiator upgrade.

[kneedownnate]

Aftermarket 3 row.  I snagged one out of an 86 with an automatic (tall and fat 3 row) and had to finesse it to fit in my 80.  What kinda saw are you using in your avatar?

[germ]

I've heard good things about www.radiatorbarn.com but have never used them myself. Might just be a plugged up radiator, and you could have it cleaned for a fraction of the cost of replacement. Have you also checked your thermostat to make sure it's opening all the way? Also check your hoses. You can also buy a flush kit, and do a good percentage of this yourself. (just be careful to not pollute the waterways with the antifreeze)

Erik

[Tallchevy]

If your radiator has scale build up then just replace it, especially if it's the original radiator. I took the radiator out of my 89 to a friend that has has a radiator shop & he recommended a new one cause the cost would be close to the same as repairing my old one. Call 1-800-radiator, they will deliver it to you. Change the t-stat at the same time & yes, get the 3 row, it's a direct bolt in

[Thomas P]

i have a brand new untouched 3 row.......... make me an offer......

[bigarms23]

3 core rad and switch to eletric fans

[RN37DD]

2x  that's what i want to do. every day i hear that fan robbing hp & fuel. half the time the motor isn't even warm by the time i get to work. plus it's another step towards the 2.7 upgrade. 

[Burl [OP]]

Would that be the same radiator as an 85 with an automatic cause that is what I have. I am using a husky 385 on this particular tree.

Aftermarket 3 row.  I snagged one out of an 86 with an automatic (tall and fat 3 row) and had to finesse it to fit in my 80.  What kinda saw are you using in your avatar?

[Burl [OP]]

Cooling system is all new I think the extra weight is just too much.

I've heard good things about www.radiatorbarn.com but have never used them myself. Might just be a plugged up radiator, and you could have it cleaned for a fraction of the cost of replacement. Have you also checked your thermostat to make sure it's opening all the way? Also check your hoses. You can also buy a flush kit, and do a good percentage of this yourself. (just be careful to not pollute the waterways with the antifreeze)

Erik

[Burl [OP]]

Electric fan like ones from performance products?

3 core rad and switch to eletric fans

[Burl [OP]]

How about jus using the 2.7 radiator if I eventually do the swap or would the hose routing be too difficult.

2x  that's what i want to do. every day i hear that fan robbing hp & fuel. half the time the motor isn't even warm by the time i get to work. plus it's another step towards the 2.7 upgrade. 

[Burl [OP]]

Where is Magalia and do you know if my 85 auto radiator is 3 row I did the manual tranny swap. but not the radiator.

i have a brand new untouched 3 row.......... make me an offer......

[Thomas P]

what year is it? you can take off the radiator cap and count thr rows.

[Thomas P]

i looked at your earlier post, you have an 85 auto you should have the 2 row............

[bigarms23]

Yeah preformance products is where i got my electric fan

[CSA]

I used a CSF 2306 3-row from Radiator Barn for my 85.

I was a little worried going with the 3-row because my old 2-row aftermarket radiator of unknown origin was a tight fit for the Marlin Crawler IFS steering box bracket/reinforcement on the inside frame rail, and it was necessary to bend out of the way the lower portion of the radiator mount to clear one of the steering box bolts bracket/reinforcement.

On the new 3-row, the radiator mount sheet metal doesn't extend as far down as far as my old one (i.e., the excess crap past the bottom mounting hole isn't there). Everything fit great without any drama: radiator bolts, fan shroud bolts, overflow tank outlet, upper hose, lower hose, and radiator cap.