I've done some radiator related searches and can't find an explanation about the wierdo radiator in my Durango. No radiator cap and the right side hose is at the middle not at the bottom. WTF? It seems the bottom half of the radiator would have stale or barely circulating coolant.
Could someone help me understand the way this system works?

 

It looks like this radiator is in all the v8's startin around the 2000 production...
And I believe the design is to try and keep the the coolant from dropping too much heat to affect the sensors=If the coolant is returning from a low port the temp would be alot cooler= the sensors maybe more sensitive an put the truck back into the cold loop of the computer program and waste fuel etc..I know my 99 runs a 16lb cap so the pressure in the system helps move the coolant also---the problem=if you don't do the scheduled coolant changes you may get a sediment clogged radiator at the bottom quicker then with a bottom ported radiator.
I maybe wrong about this so don't hold me to it=lol
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...questid=453332

 

Mine needs a 20lb radiator cap. I'm assuming due to the cap being in the upper hose.
Since you use a 16lb cap like my Ram, do you have a "normal" radiator?

 

Yes,I have the normal style radiator but even 16lbs is on the high side since that is usually for engines running the 210 operating temps..I'm no guru but like I said that midpoint radiator output hose setup is probably to keep a more equalized temp in the radiator so sensors don't get fussy and cause closed and open loop problems...