camarors8992 said:
How long did it take you with just removing the fans ?
I tried it removing as little as possible a few times. Decided it just wasn't worth the aggrivation and cuts.
I remove the air box (depending on the year XJ, this is a big plus in itself, it helps with the belt adjustment), the tranny cooler lines, remove the bottom hose clamps and drain the system by the radiator hose at the water pump. Unscrew the shroud and remove the electric fan. Take out the top radiator cross brace, disconnect the top hose from the raditor. Put a piece of cardboard over the inside of the radiator (as protection) and pull the radiator out.
I've had my radiator out a bunch of times and all the bolts involved got a coat of grease, before reassembly. I can have it out of there pretty quick. The hardest part was the A/C condensor top brace/mount screws, they can be a pain, the first time.
Without the radiator in there, everything else is a snap. Sure seems to make the other stuff you have to pull to get the water pump off easier and cleaning the old gasket off and reassembly a lot easier. Less chance of damaging the radiator while your wrenching.
Just my preferance, but the time it takes me to remove the radiator, I save on removing the other stuff. With a whole bunch more room and a better view of what goes where.
If you don't take the radiator out, a piece of cardboard cut to fit over the inside of the radiator, could save a catastrophy and is likely worth the effort. The radiator fins bend and flatten really easy.