Radiator Removal

[dakotajeep]

Ok I am thinking about getting a new radiator. My question is what needs to be done to remove it? I understand that I need to drain the coolant. Disconnect all the hoses, shroud etc.......

But the tranny cooler lines in the lower section of the radiator, how much fluid will I lose by disconnecting those lines? I just dont want to be guessing how much tranny fluid to replace when and if I lose some when removing the radiator.

I plan to remove the fan clutch (I will rent the tool!) and replace the water pump at the same time.

Any suggestions or hints to assist me in doing this right the first time?

Thad

 

[Ironman03R]

You wont lose much trans fluid when you unhook the lines. The last time I did mine I think I was able to leave the fan in and just unbolt the shroud leaving it hang on the fan. It takes about 5 gal of coolant if I remeber right and the radiator is a big SOB so a helper might be a good idea. Nows a good time to put a bigger trans cooler on.

 

[dakotajeep]

Yeah, I should get a bigger trans cooler but not sure which one to get?

To get the radiator out I might use a pulley attached to the ceiling to get it out.

Thanks
Thad

 

[Exekiel69]

radiator is a little heavy so an extra pair of hands or the pulley to set it IN straight will keep the fins in one piece. Remember the water pump bolts are not all the same length You must put the all back on the original position. The tranny will not loose much fluid if any, just put the hoses pointing up and a plug in the end of the hose.

There is a cooler that most like I think the name is transcool or something like that.

 

[Agnem]

That would be a really good time to service your core support. Check the mount areas for rust and what not, and deal with it before it is too far gone.

 

[gandalf]

Good idea, to add a transmission cooler while you're in there stirring things around. Heat is what kills our transmissions, so we want to keep them as cool as possible.

There are many coolers out there, but, my opinion, you want the largest and most efficient you can get. I can only tell you what I have and recommend. It was recommended to me, and I went with it. I would also suggest that you have a transmission temp gauge so you can tell when there's a problem.

I used the Tru-Cool Max, and am quite satisfied with it.

This would also be an excellent time to change out the transmission fluid. It's not a hard job--I did it in my driveway, alone. Be sure to flush the whole system so you get the fluid in the torque converter too.

I have the instructions for changing the transmission fluid if you want them.

 

[k_williams1982]

The radiator is heavy. I didn't realize how much it actually weighed the first time that I removed one. I didn't lose much transmission fluid either. I was to get the best performance for transmission fluid cooling when running another cooler is not to run the coolers in series. I guess you "split" the in and out lines so that so that the fluid comes from the transmission and splits. One line goes to the stock cooler in the radiator and the other goes to the aftermarket cooler. Then, you bring one line back from the stock cooler and the other line back from the aftermatket cooler and tie them back together and connect them to the line going back to the transmission.

 

[dakotajeep]

I just ordered a Transpro radiator from Auto Zone. Is this a mistake:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsProduct.jsp?itemIdentifier=998153_100522_0_5281&skuDescription=Transpro+/+Radiator&brandName=Transpro&displayName=Radiator&categoryNValue=15299999&sortType=&store=1625&isSearchByPartNumber=&fromWhere=null&fromString=search&itemId=prod61690&navValue=15200172&filterByKeyWord=radiator&productId=998153&appQuestionText=With+A/C&searchText=&categoryDisplayName=&parentId=cat30062&questions=%5B%5D


Thanks
Thad

 

[DragRag]

There is a trans cooler on the 460 truck I just parted out. It looks factory, is it? Do those work OK, are they big enough? Looks like maybe 1 square foot at best.

 

[dakotajeep]

Its a 4 row which should help but I know rows arent the only factor in good coolong.

 

[dakotajeep]

New Radiator=Problem solved!!!!

I could NOT be happier right now!!!

The thing went in smooth and works like a charm. The temps with the AC on only got up to 192F!!!

 

[zpd307]