My 1997 full-size Ram has 240k on it and I think the leaking radiator needs replacing. It seems pretty straightforward. Is there anything I should know before attempting this? Anything to look out for that's not so straightforward?

The truck has the 5.2L. I believe the radiator has a transmission cooler in it.

How much does an OEM radiator cost? I've seen prices on this interweb for aftermarket units.

 

I paid $200 at O'Reilly auto for a replacement, but it was definitely thinner material than stock. It actually cooled better though as I think the stocker might have been plugged up in a few passages.

The oil cooler in the radiator for the trans fluid didn't have the same fitting receptors as the OE radiator, I had to buy a couple of brass adapters to make it work.

 

Advice? Once you're done, park that truck on a serious incline so that the passenger side is crazy high. It's a bitch to bleed the air out of the Ram setup. I spent the past three years going nuts trying to figure out why my truck kept running hot. I finally go to the point where I parked it nose high, leaning more toward the driver's side. Opened the radiator, fired it up, and let it run. It burped air and finally settled after about 10 minutes at idle and upon reaching 195.

 

when i bled mine, i put 1 jug in, turned it on with heat on full blast then added as it went down, and it went smoothly

 

I needed a fuel line disconnect tool to seperate the transmission cooler lines, its about $8 at Autozone.

 

i bought one off ebay for $109 ahd all right fittings......put about 1/2 qt tranny fluid in when done

 

$200 at O'reily's! That's crazy. I distribute Radiators in the bristol va/tn area. If you want one man I have lets see.... 216 of them available lol.

$109, figured shipping ...another $6. List price on it is $210.

They make radiators pretty simple these days, if you need the T.O.C. they make them so you can plug right in and be good to go, if you dont need them they self seal.

if I can help shoot me an email. coreyv@eliteautoac.com Good luck man! Make sure you run a good antifreeze mix in the rad...winter can make them freeze over and...crack.

 

replace the thermostat while you have it off and make sure you get one that has a bleed hole in it so it will be easier to get the air out of the system.