'96/185000 miles/Northern Colorado

Original radiator. I have replaced the water pump and hoses a few years ago.

Last Friday, I drove 30 miles east, parked the truck until Sunday then drove back with the temp at 90 with the AC on. When I parked in my driveway, I noticed a fairly fast green coolant drip coming from below the frame area below the petcock. It was not leaking the next morning. Yesterday, I let it idle to operating temperature and it did not leak.

I want to take it into the mountains for a week soon. I would appreciate your thoughts on this leak issue.

 

It's likely time to replace your radiator after 25 years of use. The factory radiators have plastic tanks on each side, which are glued/epoxied to the aluminum core. Personally, I'd replace your radiator with an all-aluminum radiator. They are readily available on eBay and other outlets and are typically made to fit like the original radiator and cool extremely well.

 

Back in the day, I would be lucky to get half as many miles out of a radiator.
O'Reillys and Napa do not carry the aluminum and their hybrid radiators sell for $160. The aluminum versions on Ebay look impressive and sell for $200. My only hesitation is not having a local shop to deal with if there were any issues. Have you used the aluminum version?
If I do order one, is there a sealant that you would recommend I use while the replacement ships and I take my vacation?

 

Do some more checking and if there's no more leaks, take your trip but bring some coolant.

I replaced my radiator last spring and in August I noticed a little coolant on some parts. Now what? I had a 3700 mile road trip planned. I looked and looked and couldn't find a leak. Guess what? It didn't loose one drop on the trip. My guess is I went over a big bump and the overflow dribbled out.

 

Yes, I've been running an all-aluminum OEM-like-fit radiator for quite some time. I ordered it via a mail order vendor and have had no issues with it. There are a couple of existing threads about them on this forum - links noted below:

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

I've also found and purchased all-aluminum radiators for other vehicles that I own and have had no issues with any of those either.

 

Thank you all for your input.
Drove 60 miles on Saturday and no noticeable leak. Yesterday, drove 45 up to Estes Park. The belt was squealing loudly (I posted about this a few months ago). Stopped at Napa this morning and purchased some brake cleaner. Noticed quite a bit of coolant leaking from the area near the washer reservoir cap. Added water and coolant. Stopped along the river and only added about a quart. Arrived home and no leak.
On Ebay, there is a DH Racing Parts for $205 and a JSCALRacing for $162. They look the same. Thoughts?

 

Did a little research on rows and found stock replacements to be 1 row and aluminum to be 2 & 3 row.

 

If you plan to keep the truck awhile, spring for the all-aluminum radiator. You will be very happy with it and they cool extremely well.

 

I purchased it in '99 and do plan to keep it.

Should I purchase to 2 or 3 row?

 

Look at the thickness of the core. Some of the stock, single-core radiators are actually thicker than the two core fellers. Generally, the thicker, the better, especially with multiple rows. More surface area to dissipate heat.