Would a HD cooling radiator (has provision for trans cooler) from a 86 Dodge B250 Van with a 318 motor, fit a 1983 Dodge Ram D150 2wd Shortbox truck with a 318 motor? The rad is a replacement radiator from Performance Radiator Company. I'm from Canada.

Would it be a simple direct swap?

Wall-E

 

Autozone's website lists the Spectra B959 or 957 as fitting the D150, and the B961 for the van. The numbers are close, but there are differences in the mounts that may make fitting problematic.

 

I think the van rad is larger than the truck rad

 

Hypothetically, if I could get it to fit, would it be an "upgrade" of sorts to the original truck rad, or really no difference?

Wall-E

 

there would be no difference. the stock size rad is more than sufficient to cool a 318 or 360.

 

What is the cheapest way to fix a leaking radiator on these trucks?

Reason i was interested in that van rad was because I found a good newer one for low price. Price is my main issue at moment. But I don't think I want as cheap an option as putting those rad stop leak fluids into my truck.

What would you do???

Wall-E

 

depends where is is leaking. if i know someone that has the tools to do brazing i might try that first but it depends on the damage. i guess if all else fails you could probably get the van rad and make it would.