2004 Ram 1500 with 4.7 overheating... which radiator???
 

So at about 60,000 my QC 1500 with a 4.7 started the famous overheating problem. I've been pretty cautious the last couple years but the problems have gotten worse and worse.

When it started my truck would only run hot when towing. Shortly thereafter it started running hot any time I was driving at highway speeds (70+) in 80+ degree weather.

Lately she'll run hot at 60 mph in 80+ degree weather so I figure it's about time to do some work (I would have fixed her earlier but had other expenses).

After sifting through pages and pages of info on the Rams overheating, I've come to the conclusion I need a new radiator. Since the OEM radiator is shown to be junk, what's the best after market radiator available?

Thanks,
Hokie

I would go back with an OEM because some cheap aftermarkets do not have drains in them.

i got mine from thepartsbin.com really cheap and they have quite big selection of radiators. check em out, but yea i would go with oem

first off, are u sure its the radiator? when was the last time the system was back flushed? start the truck in the driveway and let it get up to temp. check the lower rad hose and see if it is hot. if not, there is a plug in the system, my 2005 dakota with the 4.7 has 93000 miles. only thing i ever did was swap out the factory 195 stat for a napa 180, number 530080, $10.00, easy swap

I have a 2004 ram 3.7 liter that is running hot ( between normal and HOT ) indicated.
I have change the thermostat, water pump, hoses, coolant temperature sensor, radiator cap and coolant. It still runs hot. I checked the temperature out of the water pump with an infra red temperature sensor and it reads 204 F. which seems normal to me. The lower hose out of the radiator is 150 f. Wondering if I am getting a false indicator at the gauge ? Could that be your problem ?

Best aftermarket radiator I've ever seen was at a Flex-a-Lite booth at a 4x4 truck show last year.

I almost popped on it and there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with mine!!!