Basically I was jumping a Ford ( lol kidding) and the truck got a little hot sitting. Nothing too crazy and I did throw some 50/50 in it and let it cool down a while before I started it up again to circulate (even though I did fill it not too long before this with full concentrate so I'm wondering if this was just a problem waiting to happen) but anyway, now there is a little bit of a leak. Not horrible, but still noticeable enough for me to not want to drive it to work and back. I believe it is around the area of the top right of the radiator if you were looking at it from the front with the hood popped. Either way, almost certain its the factory one anyway and have been wanting to replace it and upgrade to an electric fan eventually but right now, radiator is priority one. Given this truck is lifted with tires, headers, exhaust, CAI, Jet chip, all that jazz...it is my DD but also gonna have a little fun with it in the mud and whatnot when I want so I could just replace the radiator with something from the parts store but again, plan on adding to the list of mods and well, since this is where I am at this point why not? As of now I have a reliable vehicle for work so that's not an issue but really just wondering where I should go from here with choices of radiators? Don't really just want a stock replacement and would like something to add to present and future mods that I can easily add an electric fan to and thermostat, etc. Money can be tight but depending on what you guys have for ideas and recommendations is really all I'm asking. Sorry for the long paragraph but been a while since I've been here and haven't had any issues with the truck besides needing to replace the pinion yolk...while we're at it, any suggestions there too? Lmao.

This is for my 96 Ram 1500 Sport 5.2L 4WD Auto.

 

There was a company that offered an all aluminum radiator for our trucks, but, they are becoming difficult to find...... When mine blew, I just got one from the parts store, and installed it. No issues with it.

 

I'd stay away from the parts store, I had two of them go bad in a years time. Got one from radiator.com that lasted 12 years before it started a small leak at the top. They have a lifetime warranty so gave them a call and they delivered one to my door FREE OF CHARGE! The all aluminum ones are around but you have to dig.

 

If you plan to keep the truck awhile, I would install an all-aluminum radiator, since they are repairable. See this thread and start searching for the CSF 2969.

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

 

I plan to keep it and have seen that thread and what it says and simply searched that radiator and get a few reliable sources. My question is in the thread it sounds so hard to find, discontinued, product changed, plastic tank this or that, etc. So is https://www.summitracing.com/parts/csf-2969?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla-google-_-shopping-_-srese1-_-csf-radiator&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy9LVBRDOARIsAGqoVnvjVb16BWm Qrh2yV6iAUnuqJnZdG8XJ9AQqHOPOLGZT9lYcazHbB9EaAgU-EALw_wcB not what I need or want or what? I work third shift and haven't slept so am I missing something?

 

Looks right to me.

 

And thats all I need? It should just drop in and connect to everything the factory one does? Just making sure I can get this done in one shot.

 

According to theory, it's a direct replacement.

 

Yes, its a direct bolt-in swap. The new radiator comes with a new high pressure radiator cap. If it were me, I'd take the opportunity to flush the coolant and install new radiator and heater hoses.

 

Your makes me feel uneasy lol.