Does anyone know where to get a strong high quality radiator for a 2001 Dakota not looking for better cooling just well-built and strong. I don’t have a cooling problem just swapping my old one out and upgrading my 98 Dakota to the 2001 model I’m changing to the newer style that’s all.

Custom changes…….. this has been in the works for some time

Links to product is good or brand name and model number with specks helps we have some good local Rad shops in Arizona.


Thanks

 

This may help explain what I'm doing


http://dakota-4.com/

 

Do you have the new core support? I know the top is different, not sure on bottom. I got mine from 1800-radiator.

 

i had thought about doing that too.. then i changed my mind.. and put the stock fan clutch back and said screw it.. what little i get is not really worth it.. but do wish i had the aux e-fan though would be nice in summer traffic lots.

 

In rockauto they show the same core support for a 2001 and a 1998 so no problems the rad is just flipped from inside the engine bay to the outside of the bay. In a 2001 to 2004 the Rad just sits in the spot/holes the AC condenser would sit and the condenser now bolts to the Rad by tabs. The way a 2001 and up rad sits is actually sitting directly in the core support were as a 97 to 99 sits inside the engine bay A 2001 rad uses the mounting points that the condenser used to use is all they did.

Im going to make the changeover this winter as I don't need any AC so this gives me needed time to get it done without the loss of needed cooling for the AZ heat.

I do need new Rad hoses and the newer cooling efan but I'm going to rig it so I can keep my old efan to start with I'm sure I can do this. The newer efan will get installed just a month or so later is all I already have it all planed out.

I also don't need to worry about engine cooling as its nice and cool now for the next three months to get this perfected as I'm sure I will need to do some adjusting of things.

Only thing I'm not sure of is will I need to remove the bumper or not I don't know but removing the bumper is very easy as I had to do it to get the AC condenser out last time I did a complete AC overhaul and rebuild of the AC cooling system I could of done it without removing the bumper but decided it would be easier without the bumper in the way.

Part of doing this is Im sure my 10 year old Rad is getting as they say old so it will need replacing soon may as well upgrade as I do. I had bad luck with Rads in the past in this truck first Rad literally blew up its second year then that Rad blew up two years later not sure why two Rads blew up on me my current one has lasted 10 years but I have always worried about it going on me.

Also my coolant is 5 years old so now is the time to get this all done.

 

any work i do on the front, unless i need it for a step, bumper comes off. 4 bolts and goodbye is easy enough.

Was not aware the holes were there in early years. Interesting that they changed things like that.

 

Just checked the part numbers for the top of the Radiator support these are the part numbers 2002 to 2004 shows a different part number but this may have nothing to do with the Rad and how its mounted as I believe the same Rad is used from 2000 to 2004.


top of the Radiator support part numbers
CH1225174 (1998)
CH1225174 (2001)
CH1225216 (2002)
CH1225216 (2003)
CH1225216 (2004)


Just checked same VISTA-PRO Radiator Part # 431418 is shown for the 2000 to 2004 Dakotas so how the Rad mounts should be the same.


So the top support difference for the 2002 to 2004 must be for other reasons not how the Rad mounts.

 

Some important new radiator info most may never know!

Always flush the new Rad out before you install lt with a garden hose do it both ways inlet and outlet like back flushing a heater core. You may be very surprised what comes out I had a few ounces of sand come out one time you don’t want that going through your cooling system it’s like sand blasting your new Rad and water pump not good at all.