Radiator recommendations

[JeepCJ5]

The agony of defeat!

I got my beautiful aluminum radiator from Amazon the other day:



Unfortunately, it didn't fit! I knew there was a good chance of this. There is not a lot off room between the fan and the OEM radiator, so I was taking a chance.

I went out and got a replacement one from Autozone. The good news is that I am up and running. The bad news is it has the plastic like Peter mentioned and seems pretty cheap. I guess I'll put that receipt in a safe place!

Before:



After:

 

[Lumpy Grits]

How close was the fan to the alum rad?
LG

 

[JeepCJ5]

Probably within a 1/4". Almost touching.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Ya-I Don't see much set back from those mounting flanges.
LG

 

[WHATROAD]

Kentrol sells a product that they call a bug screen in stainless. I have found that it keeps out all manor of things that could damage the fins of my radiator. They are a bit pricey but I am well pleased with mine.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

They also cut about 1/2 your airflow.
LG

 

[Belizean]

Keep that Autozone receipt REAL HANDY. Got a lifetime guarantee probably 26-27 years ago. Probably been through at least 15 radiators in that time. Some last a few months some 2-3 years. 1 fell apart coming out of the box at the store. I've gotten pretty good at swapping them out. I'm lucky, I have a friend who gets me the coolant for free. When I get my new engine built I'm going to get a good one and get my back on that crappy autozone one

 

[Petescj]

Can you get a pic of your fan for us? The aluminum one may fit with a different Cj fan. I gained alot of clearance by swapping in a different mechanical fan on mine.

 

[Hedgehog]

They must have changed them then. My radiator is only a couple years old and it's all metal. Nothing ever seems to remain the same anymore.

You don't really need your receipt, the computer knows ALL.

I'm sorry your aluminum radiator doesn't or can't be made to work.

 

[gr8dain]

I had a similar issue with my alum radiator but I went with an electric fan set anyway. And to add to the clearance, I slid the flanges inside of the grill, coming up from the bottom. Gave me an extra 1/2 inch I estimated. Made a big difference.

 

[JeepCJ5]

Here's the fan:



Thanks for all the feedback.

Gr8tdain, Thats a great idea about going inside the grill. Did you have to cut the top to fit the radiator cap or anything? I assume you had to take of the grill to make it work.

I thought about going electric, but I wasn't sure if I would end up still having clearance issues.

 

[gr8dain]

Here's the fan:







Thanks for all the feedback.



Gr8tdain, Thats a great idea about going inside the grill. Did you have to cut the top to fit the radiator cap or anything? I assume you had to take of the grill to make it work.



I thought about going electric, but I wasn't sure if I would end up still having clearance issues.

Yes to removing the grill and no modification to the grill other than to bend a bit at the bottom of the grill to get one of the radiator flanges to slide up. The other side had an opening wide enough. Then it slid right in and I was able to use the original mounting holes.

 

[MayberryF3]

Like others have said, watch the Chinese radiators. Two weeks ago I ordered a replacement through Amazon $220 I think was the amount, and when it arrived it was in a Rugged Ridge box. Over the years my experience with Rugged Ridge has not been good, but I was in a pinch and I gave it a try. Radiator was made in China, and had Chinese writing on the cap, but it seemed to fit. I started the CJ and let it warm up in the driveway. All seemed well. But before I called it good I decided to drive it around the neighborhood. I didn't get around the block before I heard the sound of the fan hitting the radiator.

I got home and yanked the Chinese one out. Luckily I hadn't thrown out the original and in a search here found someone suggesting to have the original radiator rebuilt locally. I did that and the guy totally restored the radiator, it is awesome. Total cost of the rebuilt radiator $137

I will also say that dealing with Amazon on car parts was good. They sent a return shipping label, credited back to my wife's account (Amazon Prime user) and didn't even want to see pics even though I had some ready to go. I've also had good luck with them for oil/air filters in the past. Amazon I will use again, sadly if it says Rugged Ridge I probably won't