Heavyopp
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Middlesex, NJ
I’ll be watching to see what you have to say — I’ll be in the radiator market soon
XJ radiators, a review.
- Thread starter cal
- Start date
I’ll be watching to see what you have to say — I’ll be in the radiator market soon
- Location
- Billings MT/Rapid City SD
Got it in and installed tonight. Install was super easy, everything fit just like the stock one did.
Well packaged from Texas, 4 days from order date:
Good foam packing:
Unpacked and everything looks great. All painted black. Quality looks great.
Transmission fittings:
Well packaged from Texas, 4 days from order date:
Good foam packing:
Unpacked and everything looks great. All painted black. Quality looks great.
Transmission fittings:
- Location
- Billings MT/Rapid City SD
came with fittings for the transmission cooler. The upper fitting does have a petty small hole given the stock fittings are 3/8" ID hose. So I drilled it out to 3/8" before installing.
Core depth is right around 1.75", 2 cores. I'm pretty happy with that setup.
Upper Isolators drop right on.
This is the only area that does require a quick modification. The 2 studs on the isolator are a tad to long and hit the upper radiator support. Quick hit with a flap disc and they clear.
That's about it. The drain plug is plastic but I'm okay with that. No weirdness anywhere on any section of the radiator that I could find. All the tabs are straight and fit just like stock, all the same nuts, no sharp edges, etc. It seems to be a dead ringer for the old Modine HD radiator that was sold 12 some years ago. Price is a bit on the high side but Copper/Brass have gone up over the years.
Anyways I've very happy with this thing. Very seldom that I get any replacement part that I don't have to spend extra time modifying to work and it's nice to get something that just fits like it should.
I did replace the lower transline with a 3/8" quick fitting to -6AN, cut the hardline for a 3/8" hardline adapter to -6, along with 2 push lock fittings and some gates hose to finish off the lower line. I couldn't get the stock quick lock of the old radiator so I just cut the hose and removed it.
Core depth is right around 1.75", 2 cores. I'm pretty happy with that setup.
Upper Isolators drop right on.
This is the only area that does require a quick modification. The 2 studs on the isolator are a tad to long and hit the upper radiator support. Quick hit with a flap disc and they clear.
That's about it. The drain plug is plastic but I'm okay with that. No weirdness anywhere on any section of the radiator that I could find. All the tabs are straight and fit just like stock, all the same nuts, no sharp edges, etc. It seems to be a dead ringer for the old Modine HD radiator that was sold 12 some years ago. Price is a bit on the high side but Copper/Brass have gone up over the years.
Anyways I've very happy with this thing. Very seldom that I get any replacement part that I don't have to spend extra time modifying to work and it's nice to get something that just fits like it should.
I did replace the lower transline with a 3/8" quick fitting to -6AN, cut the hardline for a 3/8" hardline adapter to -6, along with 2 push lock fittings and some gates hose to finish off the lower line. I couldn't get the stock quick lock of the old radiator so I just cut the hose and removed it.
That rad looks awesome. Let us know how it performs. I have had the mishimoto in for 6 months or so now and a couple thousand miles. Its a great radiator and ive had my e fan out the entire time just cause im always tinkering. The obd2 temp is always between 199-213 and the dash gauge is like a rock at 210 unless im climbing for a long time. Even then i havent gotten above a hair over 210.
- Location
- Seattle, WA
Here's some pics of an FF Dynamics alum radiator. Looks similar to others on here. I haven't tested it in warm weather yet, but is doing fine during snow wheeling so far.
Install notes: a) Had to notch the top cross-member to clear the cap, b) the aluminum overflow nipple had to be trimmed - it was too long and ran into the electrical fan or something, c) aftermarket fan shroud leg had to be trimmed slightly - the two slots that the fan feet slot into were about 1/8" too narrow.
All pics here: https://imgur.com/a/5dktBnN. Below is most, but not all.
Install notes: a) Had to notch the top cross-member to clear the cap, b) the aluminum overflow nipple had to be trimmed - it was too long and ran into the electrical fan or something, c) aftermarket fan shroud leg had to be trimmed slightly - the two slots that the fan feet slot into were about 1/8" too narrow.
All pics here: https://imgur.com/a/5dktBnN. Below is most, but not all.
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- Location
- Hammertown, USA
That Summit unit looks nice.
lazyxj
NAXJA Member #1310
- Location
- Los Angeles
I'm looking forward to all who have installed the radiators, listed in this thread, reporting back next August, once they know how well the new radiators work in high heat of summer.
- Location
- In the islands
Yea! It would be good to know how well many of they do in the summer months.
I know Team Weasel will do well. That radiator he is about to install is the same radiator I have in my XJ since 2007. It have worked really well in South Florida Summer and Des Moines IA winter cooled only by 2 -13" electric fans. It have 2 - 0.75" tubes. It need to be replaced because it now leaks at high temperature. My recent trip from FL to TX of 1,100+ miles it leaked about 1 quart of coolant.
I like cooper brass radiators best,...I do not know why. Maybe I am old school.
I heard aluminum have better hear rejection than copper. Hmmm! I have a strong dislike for the aluminum plastic units. I had two that catastrophic failure on the highway and my room mate also had the same negative experience. The all aluminum ones,...I am waiting for Cal to complete his evaluation, or others.
- Location
- Billings MT/Rapid City SD
Brass has better cooling than aluminum. Aluminum cools better per pound (ie lighter). I like brass cause it doesn't have galvanic corrosion like aluminum, doesn't have to worry about welds cracking or leaking. But yeah I'm with you.
Adding in my experience on here...
I just started developing a leak in my FF Dynamics Aluminum rad after it was installed back in 12/2012 on my 2001 XJ. Averaging a little less than 10K miles per year puts that Rad at about 6 yrs or <60K miles. So not terribly great given the mileage. I simply daily drive my rig M-F and hardly on the weekends.
I was told by them when discussing their radiators before purchase... that these come w/ a no questions asked lifetime replacement warranty. Turns out that was a LIE! They will only warranty the radiators for life if you also buy their electric 3-fan kit. Same radiator, but now after telling me the radiator alone only has a 2-yr warranty they've ghosted on me.
Before the leak developed this radiator has done very well keeping temps around the 205 mark even when idling in traffic w/the AC blazzing during the 100+ Summertime temps. Normally my temps are near the 195 and my secondary electric fan barely kicks on. I'd give this a great review if not for the newly developed leak and the horrible customer service I've received from FFDynamics.
I just started developing a leak in my FF Dynamics Aluminum rad after it was installed back in 12/2012 on my 2001 XJ. Averaging a little less than 10K miles per year puts that Rad at about 6 yrs or <60K miles. So not terribly great given the mileage. I simply daily drive my rig M-F and hardly on the weekends.
I was told by them when discussing their radiators before purchase... that these come w/ a no questions asked lifetime replacement warranty. Turns out that was a LIE! They will only warranty the radiators for life if you also buy their electric 3-fan kit. Same radiator, but now after telling me the radiator alone only has a 2-yr warranty they've ghosted on me.
Before the leak developed this radiator has done very well keeping temps around the 205 mark even when idling in traffic w/the AC blazzing during the 100+ Summertime temps. Normally my temps are near the 195 and my secondary electric fan barely kicks on. I'd give this a great review if not for the newly developed leak and the horrible customer service I've received from FFDynamics.
krashed
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Lancaster, PA
I have a FFD with the triple threat fan setup as well. It took about 6 mos to develop a leak at one of the tanks, but I did rock crawl and flex the jeep out with it, so maybe it's not up to the task. Looking at the abuse that some of the other all-aluminum radiators in this thread are put through, I'd expect more out of it. Probably going to go back to OEM HD or the Summit.
The most offroading my XJ sees is driving thru my yard on occasion or thru a ditch. For whatever reason, I've NEVER had any luck w/ Radiators lasting that long on an XJ after the OE starts leaking. Heck, every Jeep vehicle I've ever owned has need the radiator replaced after 100K miles. I guess I should just start treating them like brakes as wear-out parts and just plan to replace them every 50-75K miles. :\
As soon as I can verify the rockauto HD are legit Moparlike replacements I'll order one of those and just give up on all aluminum radiators unless or until I do a motor swap or get back into sports cars.
- Location
- Billings MT/Rapid City SD
Which is why I went with brass. And 100K is pretty good for a OEM radiator. If I knew mine was the OEM with 155k on it I would have replaced it before it blew up on me. Plastic starts to suck after that time.
- Location
- Hammertown, USA
Finally unboxed Dallas's Champion radiator.
Very similar specs to the Auto Dynasty one but better build quality and polished.
The machining is a lot cleaner, so are the welds.
Proper drain valve.
It came with all the trans fittings and new o-rings for the quick disconnect, but I somehow didn't save the photo.
Very similar specs to the Auto Dynasty one but better build quality and polished.
The machining is a lot cleaner, so are the welds.
Proper drain valve.
It came with all the trans fittings and new o-rings for the quick disconnect, but I somehow didn't save the photo.
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Got it in and installed tonight. Install was super easy, everything fit just like the stock one did.
Well packaged from Texas, 4 days from order date:
.... Just ordered the same one from Summit. Hopefully it'll get here by this Friday/Saturday so I can get it installed and replace my leaking FFDynamics Aluminum Rad. Since I doubt the smaller FFD radiator cap will fit the one f/ Summit, can you tell me what Rad Cap you're using as I'll need to pick up a new one of those as well.
Hopefully you and I will get great cooling from these over the Summer.
- Location
- Billings MT/Rapid City SD
Stock radiator cap fit mine, I just reused it. I probably should get a new one, and keep this one for a spare.
Sounds good and thanks for the info. I'll have to get a new Stock Rad Cap as the one I currently have on my leaking FFD is not stock. It's smaller in diameter, like one for an import car. Sux since I just replaced it last month thinking it was causing my leaks.... ugh. Just more nickle and diming me. :/
Ronbo
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Marcos, CA
Did you try repairing your FFD?
I have not. It appears to be leaking near the lower radiator hose w/the cooling fins meet the tank. Similar to how a lot of OE Plastic tanks leak at the seals.
I'm not sure how I'd get it re-sealed and I don't know how to weld Aluminum. I'm guessing if I could find someone to weld it up it would cost as much or more than a new one. But I could be way off base too.
Ronbo
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Marcos, CA
You could always take it to a radiator shop and get a quote. I've had the same Modine radiator for around 15 years. Every few years I take it to the shop and they rod it out. I could probably experiment with cheapo radiators, but this one is a quality radiator that's never failed.
