what radiator to buy?

[gba88]

Thanks for the replies! That's too bad about alumrad...sounds like they were one of the best options. Sorry to hear about your csf experiences Tdad. Just confirms though how my research showed about a 50/50 reliability or experience record with the csf radiators

 

[evogibson]

i would go with BTR.
http://www.btr-radiator.com/

 

[xcm]

do not buy from genesis auto, theyre a small shop in socal, reselling chinese radiators... cheap... local, and 3/5ths of the time, dented at the filler cap...

 

[JoeShmo]

OEM Radiator lasted 1989-2006. Swapped in a CSF 3-Core from RadiatorBarn in June of 2006 and just had it replaced under warranty for a leaking tank/core seam and vertical strap that had broken. Just over 5 years and 10,000mi on it.

Thankfully RadiatorBarn makes the warranty replacement pretty hassle-free, but you still need to go through the process of tearing apart a 20+ year old jeep with rusty bolts to get it swapped.

 

[dieselenthusiast]

I wish someone made a top notch product. It sure seems like more and more people are having problems with the CFM's. ;(

 

[QUABOAG]

im running a two row csf from radiatorbarn. problem free for a year so far. right away i noticed the engine just ran a tick hotter on the guage...not that it matters. my opinion is the csf rad is a good value and a solid replacement but probably not the most efficient. cooling fin density is weaker than stock, at least on the two row.

 

[Ecomike]

I need to buy something like a 3 row copper CSF radiator today for the 89 Renix Jeep.

Any new deals or specials out there I should know about????

 

[dieselenthusiast]

I need to buy something like a 3 row copper CSF radiator today for the 89 Renix Jeep.

Any new deals or specials out there I should know about????

X2, my radiator leak in my 2000 XJ is getting worse. I'm in need for a new radiator. I wish someone made a really nice radiator. :dunno:

 

[bsturgis]

Here's a really nice radiator for our Cherokees. Really nice usually equals really expensive.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/51210_2813.htm

 

[Ecomike]

X2, my radiator leak in my 2000 XJ is getting worse. I'm in need for a new radiator. I wish someone made a really nice radiator. :dunno:

Prices seem to have gone way up on copper/brass models. Found this so far, which I had not seen the last time I bought.

http://www.championradiators.com/page/419843580

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JEEP-CHEROKEE-ALL-ALUMINUM-RADIATOR-87-88-89-90-4-0L-/290619039623?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1989|Make%3AJeep|Model%3ACherokee|Submodel%3APioneer&vxp=mtr&hash=item43aa3e9f87

Best price I see is here, but not sure what all metal means?

Note mine is an 89, closed system, not the same as the 2000!!!

http://www.btr-radiator.com/PartsListing.aspx

http://www.championradiators.com/page/419843580

Half the ones I see do not have complete specs, including Rockauto and 4wheeldrive.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-1991-JEEP-Champion-Cooling-PRO-Series-3-Row-All-Aluminum-Radiator-/200658335165?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1989|Make%3AJeep|Model%3ACherokee|Submodel%3APioneer&vxp=mtr&hash=item2eb82b35bd

This (below) looks like an HO radiator, but is listed for Renix years. What is most curious is the capped aluminum bottle for under $60!!! Is it a pressure bottle or not????? I have called this guy, waiting for a call back to answer questions!!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-1990-Jeep-Cherokee-Series-1-Tubes-2-Row-Radiator-/120804718277?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1989|Make%3AJeep|Model%3ACherokee|Submodel%3APioneer&vxp=mtr&hash=item1c2085b6c5

3 row all aluminum for $198??

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-1991-JEEP-Champion-Cooling-PRO-Series-3-Row-All-Aluminum-Radiator-/200658335165?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1989|Make%3AJeep|Model%3ACherokee|Submodel%3APioneer&vxp=mtr&hash=item2eb82b35bd

Now this is getting very interesting! And all aluminum, single row for $99???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JEEP-CHEROKEE-ALL-ALUMINUM-RADIATOR-87-88-89-90-4-0L-/290619039623?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1989|Make%3AJeep|Model%3ACherokee|Submodel%3APioneer&vxp=mtr&hash=item43aa3e9f87

2 row Champion all aluminum for $150?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-1985-1...|Submodel:Pioneer&vxp=mtr&hash=item45fdbf4216

 

[KJurasek]

This one is something to think about. Even though they are more expensive, they are well built and aluminum.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JEEP-CHEROK...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item19cb7435da

 

[Ecomike]

INteresting write up on a zinc coated strip between the plastic tanks and copper/brass cores and problems caused by cheap brands that skip it!

http://www.csfimports.com/tech.asp

Also found this:

# Make Model Model Year Description Engine Tank Type ......CSF No
1 JEEP Cherokee (XJ) 1989 w/o Filler Neck 4.0 L Metal ..........2290
2 JEEP Cherokee (XJ) 1989 w/o Filler Neck H.D. 4.0 L Metal .....2572

 

[Ecomike]

I have found a number of inexpensive all aluminum radiators today that compare in cost to all brass/copper radiators.

I have always preferred copper/brass, but now I am wondering.

Does anyone know if the aluminum tubes have thicker walls than the brass/copper core tubes, and thus might last longer? Also, what about the inside tube gap, thickness comparison?

 

[Redsnake]

I have the Champion 3-Row all aluminum in my 2001 XJ. Just installed it a few weeks back along w/a new 0331 head and my XJ has never ran cooler. It hangs right around the 200 mark all the time... give or take (depending on how accurate my OE temp gauge is...).

Really nice quality and the guys were really good to work with.

 

[dieselenthusiast]

I have the Champion 3-Row all aluminum in my 2001 XJ. Just installed it a few weeks back along w/a new 0331 head and my XJ has never ran cooler. It hangs right around the 200 mark all the time... give or take (depending on how accurate my OE temp gauge is...).

Really nice quality and the guys were really good to work with.

Who did you buy yours from?

 

[Ecomike]

Has any one run a cheap, under $200, all aluminum radiator for over 5 years? If so how long did it last?

Does anyone know if the all aluminum tubes clog faster or slower than copper/brass?

Non of them talk in their specs about tube ID dimensions or wall thickness?

 

[Ecomike]

Who did you buy yours from?

Didn't you buy one of the China USB OBD-II data aq. rigs off Ebay? If yes, did you ever upgrade the software? If yes, what you get and was any good? Details?

 

[Redsnake]

Who did you buy yours from?

I purchased mine direct f/Champion...

http://www.championradiators.com/

So far so good, but honestly I only have about 1 month of driving time on it so far.

 

[CJR]

As of a few days ago, my 2000XJ OEM radiator started leaking on the passenger side at where the plastic side tanks are crimped-on to the core. I've used CSF 3-row radiators in the past and they didn't last long enough. What Ecomike showed, with the CSF Warranty info, is that even though the CSF may be all-metal, the metal side tanks are still CRIMPED-ON and NOT soldered or welded together. That explains why I had problems with them.

So it looks like I'll get a 3-row Champion all-welded, all-aluminum radiator when they get them back in stock. I sent an email to Champion asking when they'll be back in stock.

Best regards,

CJR

 

[Ecomike]

As of a few days ago, my 2000XJ OEM radiator started leaking on the passenger side at where the plastic side tanks are crimped-on to the core. I've used CSF 3-row radiators in the past and they didn't last long enough. What Ecomike showed, with the CSF Warranty info, is that even though the CSF may be all-metal, the metal side tanks are still CRIMPED-ON and NOT soldered or welded together. That explains why I had problems with them.

So it looks like I'll get a 3-row Champion all-welded, all-aluminum radiator when they get them back in stock. I sent an email to Champion asking when they'll be back in stock.

Best regards,

CJR

Wow, I did not know that any CSF all metal radiators were crimped on!!!! WOW. I need to check the one on my 87, I was sure it was soldered on.

I wonder how well aluminum holds up being just 1-2 inches away from my lead acid battery too?