suggestions for new radiator (upgrade?)

I had the Aluminum/Plastic Tank/Composite radiator in my XJ for about a year before it developed a leak in the drain valve. The leak could not be fixed the warranty was only good for a year so I had to buy a new radiator. I went with the CSF three row because JP Magazine recommended it and did a great wright up on it. I beleave the radiator's with plastic tank's cant handle the vibration and pounding that is result of a lifted XJ that is driven off road occassionally. The fill neck is very week and looks as if it could break or crack if you leaned on it while working on your engine. I would go with the CSF from 1-800-radiator you will get a lifetime warranty.
 
2001XJ said:
just to let anyone know what is researching or comes across this post I went with: http://www.genesisautoparts.com/all_aluminum_radiator/jeep/cherokee/2001.html for my 2001 due to several reasons:

1. it was cheap
2. it was ALL aluminum, the more guys I spoke with the more I noticed mentioned that the main benefit of ALL aluminum vs. aluminum core/plastioc tank is that they usually crimp the plastic tank to the aluminum radiator core so there is tendency to leak at those points and the orings, with ALL aluminum it is a non-issue.
3. it was dual core for the price even though there is a threshold in performance (see below)
4. I did look at the mcculloch radiator which was one hell of a radiator but it was $250 for ALL aluminum and for what I use and where I am located it was not justified.

Just a note, a talked with Mcculloch and they said that they have found that using a single core aluminum with the 1 3/8 tubing has good performance. The more rows you get into, the more it transfers heat to the back of the radiator and actually makes cooling harder.
Click to expand...

so you got an alum core with compsite side tanks? Just curious but is it much different then what you could get from autozone? When I was looking for a rad the alum/ composite was about all I could get local. I ordered a csf 2 core, and I still have cooling issues but who knows if they are related to the rad or not.
 
slcpunk74 said:
it is a pretty general thought that even when running an external cooler it should still go through the rad so it can help the trans come up to operating temps when its cold outside.
Click to expand...

Working for a Tier 1 cooling system supplier to OEM's, we eliminated the in-tank TOC and combined it with the condenser on many new models. Many air cooling TOC's such as B&M have a low temperature by-pass valve to help trans warm up. They use this on the Dodge Ram SRT10's.
 
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winterbeater said:
Working for a Tier 1 cooling system supplier to OEM's, we eliminated the in-tank TOC and combined it with the condenser on many new models. Many air cooling TOC's such as B&M have a low temperature by-pass valve to help trans warm up. They use this on the Dodge Ram SRT10's.
Click to expand...

I like that idea. Next time I replace the radiator, I will get one without the oil cooler (one for a manual transmission), get an external oil cooler and add the by-pass valve if I will be in the North US in the winter. I do not think a cold running transmission is possible in South Florida. :dunno:
 
chhh....that's easy, BeCool radiators are the best if money is not an issue.....ooops md11fan beet me to it!

FordGuy said:
I also am not happy with my CSF. Who makes the best bolt in radiator regardless of cost? Any ideas.
Click to expand...
 
slcpunk74 said:
so you got an alum core with compsite side tanks? Just curious but is it much different then what you could get from autozone? When I was looking for a rad the alum/ composite was about all I could get local. I ordered a csf 2 core, and I still have cooling issues but who knows if they are related to the rad or not.
Click to expand...


dont know what autozone has but I DID NOT get aluminum core with composite tank. I got an ALL aluminum 2 core radiator from GenesisAuto for my 2001 for ~$155 shipped
 
I recently bought a BeCool for mine, I have yet to install it since there's a few more important items it needs. Definitely top notch piece though, sure hope it cures my constantly hot issue.
 
2001XJ any updates on how that Genesis is doing? I'll be needing a replacement soon as well.
 
I replaced my stock radiator with a 3 core, biggest mistake ive made. It works fine on the road, especially at high speed. but slow down or go into 4-lo and it overheats almost immediately in the summer. plus it is thicker so the elec. assist fan some times rubs on the power steering pump.
 
Hmmm, there is way too much negative feedback on the 3 row....anyone else have any suggestions or info on currently used radiators?
 
I literally just bought a 3 core all metal one from radiatorbarn.com for 164.77 shipped w/ warrenty.
 
as far as the genesis auto all aluminum... its cheap and indeed all aluminum, thats about it..


after ordering it for a friend, i read many reports on here about getting damaged radiators from them... my friend got his, and all was well...

couple weeks later we're talking, and he admits his filler neck threads were slightly bent on delivery.... he kept it and ran it, but others have had to send em back....

typical chinese junk.... but what can you do...
 
winterbeater said:
Working for a Tier 1 cooling system supplier to OEM's, we eliminated the in-tank TOC and combined it with the condenser on many new models. Many air cooling TOC's such as B&M have a low temperature by-pass valve to help trans warm up. They use this on the Dodge Ram SRT10's.
Click to expand...

So Dodge Ram SRT-10 trucks that all use the Viper 6 speed manual transmissions use a transmission oil cooler???

Did you mean to say they use an engine oil cooler with a temperture by-pass valve to allow the engine oil to heat-up quicker when cold and help maintain a consistant oil temperture after warming up.???
 
Just an FYI, I picked up one of the Genesis all aluminum rads and it IS NOT drop in. Not really any show stoppers, but it's not a drop in. I had to drill holes along the top rad support because none of the studs on the top of the rad lined up. They were all off by 1/2 at least. Also, they were not long enough so I had to get extension nuts (#10-32) to fasten the top. No leaks and seems to keep the XJ at least 10 deg cooler than before, but my former rad had 170k+ on it so it better keep it cooler!
 
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