As the title says I'm looking for recommendations on a good radiator for my 99 5.2. I suspect the original one is getting tired as the temp has been getting up towards, but not quite to, 210° while sitting in traffic. Now granted this is in 110° weather with the a/c on, but in the past it's never really gotten over 195° or so. I do have a taurus fan as well as a waterpump that's only a couple years old and the cooling system was flushed earlier this spring. I'm guessing that since this is the original radiator it's probably getting clogged up pretty good. I'm starting to think that 16 years is getting pretty old for the plastic tanks too and would rather take the preventative approach here before something gives.

Anyway I see that most radiators that I'm finding are only single row. Is there any valid reasoning behind that being the case now or are placing just cheaping out? I also don't currently have the external trans cooler and would like to get a good radiator that has one (if there is such one available). I'm not looking to spend $500 on a custom full aluminum radiator or anything, but I don't want a cheap one that's going to give me problems either.

So what are your thoughts?

 

I installed a APDI radiator from Rock Auto for around $110 last spring and its still doing fine. Mine didn't come with the trans cooler but, they do have it with the cooler for about $20 more.

But, before i would think about replacing it (if you have not already) try cleaning the fins with the cleaner that the HVAC guys used to clean A/C condensers first. Might just be some dirty fins.

 

Is it a dual row? I've hose it out and blew it out with compressed air lately, but haven't tried any cleaner. I'll be honest, I'm more concerned with the age of the plastic than the performance of it, because under 100° outside and it doesn't have a problem staying right around 190°.

 

Hey Old School, my radiator has a crack in the neck that the inspector found a couple of months ago when I got the tabs renewed. Now it overheats regularly. I was looking at RockAuto also for a new one. Question is, how do I know whether my radiator has a transmission oil cooler or not? I don't want to order the wrong one.

 

All the radiators on rock auto should have internal coolers. Some also have the auxiliary cooler, which I'd recommend getting even if you didn't have it before.

 

Did you install new O-rings on the lines? If so, where did you get those?

I looked at the pictures and bought the one that looked just like mine did. The top line runs straight to the bottom and that one was $108. The other one that top line ran down 1/2 way and then cut in front of the radiator. It was $132 or so. That's not the one I bought.

 

Didn't really pay attention to the o rings. The line going in front of the radiator is to the auxiliary transmission cooler, which I'd recommend as an upgrade. The lines both connect to the same place on the radiator. Mine didn't originally have the auxiliary cooler and I added it as a direct swap.

 

When I did mine is when I "converted" to the 2001 cooling system so I would have the room to install the OEM e-fan.

 

Just wandered in from the DAK side (sorry, couldn't resist) and thought I could help out, since I've already done the research.


Here is my thread, but I'll give it to you in a nutshell...


https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-radiator.html


I have the heavy duty tow package with the maximum cooling radiator...

OEM Heavy duty radiator is 1.5" wide dual row with 55 rows. Most aftermarket are 1.25" - single row, which will cool, but barely adequately. If you plan to tow, or run in any extreme situations, you may overheat.

These are the two aftermarket radiators that match the heavy duty radiator. The first one is a two row core. However, I've seen some complaints from people who ended up with a single row core model in the box when it arrived. I opted for the second model for only that reason, plus it's cheaper. The second radiator is a single row but the core thickness is 1.63" vs 1.25" of the typical aftermarket. That's even thicker than the OEM 1.5" two row. Of course, two rows gives you a lot more surface area, but you are operating with .38" more capacity if you do the math.

For 2000 - 2004 Dakotas (input your vehicle to make sure it fits)

1. Valeo 732622 two row radiator
2. CSF 3516 radiator (got this one)


So go with the CSF....




It does have aux cooler circuit, but I never connected it, since the tow package included a separate cooler. I recently towed a sedan for 8 hours on a 4 wheel trailer and the temp needle never got to halfway point. .

 

I just installed a CSF radiator in my 2002 dakota I happy with it my temps are great.
It is not duel core but it works. If your radiator is 10 years old replace it.