Hello everyone. Ive searched the entire forum for answers but nothing definitive has come up. New to this forum and this is my first post so please bear with me. I'm replacing the original radiator in my 2000 Dakota SLT extended cab 4.7L with the factory tow package. The oem radiator, 52028818AB is no longer available so I went with the CSF3516 radiator due to thicker core. It is supposed to be a direct fit and I have seen many internet posts indicating trouble free installations in the Dakota. My only issue is with the trans cooler fittings on the CSF3516. The bore at the back of the fittings are machined a bit different than the oem radiator fittings. There is a two step diameter reduction at the back of the oem fittings to guide the tubing and shoulder the oring seal when the trans line fitting is tightend. The CSF3516 fittings have only a single step diameter reduction at the back of the fittiings. The oring seal will still contact the the back of the new fitting to seal but since the bore is larger then the oem, there is less surface contact. I've attached a few pics of the the radiator fittings and the trans cooler line end fitting. Has anyone noticed this when installing the CSF3516 in your Dakota? If so did it seal up ok with the oem lines? The line fittings do screw into the radiator fittings and I can tighten them down to compress the oring but just not certain they will seal up good. Maybe a larger oring would help. Or possibly install barbed fittings into the radiator fittings and patch in the lines with trans hose and clamps? Anyone know what type and size fitting would screw into the CSF3516 or what size the eom line fitting is? Got a call and email into CSF but have not heard back yet. Don't want to install the radiator then pull it out to modify the lines if necessary and don't want to return it for a 1 1/4' thick unit. Any info or suggestions appreciated.


New radiator with OEM trans line

New radiator with oem trans line with o-ring

OEM radiator and trans line

 

Should install and seal up just fine.

 

The double step is so the o ring doesn't get squashed when the fitting is tightened up. It should work but it is going to squash the o ring. Post what their reply is.

 

I'm also concerned about the bore at the back of the new fittings where the o ring will seat is a bit larger than the oem fitting so that leaves less area for the o ring to seal against. If it's tightened too much, the o ring could distort and partially push through the hole. I'm leaning towards threading barbed hose fittings into the new radiator and connect the transmission lines with hose & clamps but I don't know what size and type (tapered? straight? metric?) the threads in the new radiator ports are. I'm hoping the lines will seal up as is but if they don't it's gonna be a mess to open up the lines again and go with barbed fittings&hose while the radiator is in place. I've got 2 other vehicles so I guess I'll just wait to hear from CSF. Might be a while. Thanks for your replies.

 

Installed the radiator with the original trans cooler lines but used slightly larger o rings. Put about 100 miles on and so far no leaks. Looks like a winner. Thanks to Dodgevity for confirming he used same fittings on same radiator with no leakage. Unfortunately. the new water pump/fan clutch kit I installed developed quite a bit of play in the shaft in that 100 miles. Checked it after mounting and before installing the belt and it was fine. Replacement enroute. Never heard back from CSF on the original question I submitted to them....twice.