ratty Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 I'm thinking about replacing my radiator in my 88 4.0. Does paying more for a "high performance" radiator make the difference? Aluminum vs stock? I've been doing some research and came across the Mishimoto MMRAD but I'm not sure I feel like forking over $400. Does anyone have something they really like? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 is the engine stock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratty Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 56 minutes ago, Pete M said: is the engine stock? Yeah. I haven't done anything to it other than rebuild it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 You'll hear differing opinions on this topic, but I put a CSF 3-row radiator in my '91 4.0 and I have been very pleased with its performance. The temperature is slightly lower (but not too low) and stays far more stable with the CSF over the tiny factory radiator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumbscomanche Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 I've been researching this a lot lately. I think the performance radiators will make a noticeable difference if you wheel your truck hard. I've got a newer stock radiator on a stock engine and it definitely gets warm on the trails, especially with higher elevations. It also gets a little hot in the socal heat with the A/C running when driving home from wherever I'm wheeling. . It's never been an issue but I think when the time comes I'm going to replace it with the FF Dynamics Extreme TT system with the fan shrouds. From what I've read it's good improvement over stock, but that model is $499 so I'm waiting until I actually need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratty Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 32 minutes ago, crumbscomanche said: I've been researching this a lot lately. I think the performance radiators will make a noticeable difference if you wheel your truck hard. I've got a newer stock radiator on a stock engine and it definitely gets warm on the trails, especially with higher elevations. It also gets a little hot in the socal heat with the A/C running when driving home from wherever I'm wheeling. . It's never been an issue but I think when the time comes I'm going to replace it with the FF Dynamics Extreme TT system with the fan shrouds. From what I've read it's good improvement over stock, but that model is $499 so I'm waiting until I actually need it. Awesome. I'll look into it. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratty Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 45 minutes ago, Minuit said: You'll hear differing opinions on this topic, but I put a CSF 3-row radiator in my '91 4.0 and I have been very pleased with its performance. The temperature is slightly lower (but not too low) and stays far more stable with the CSF over the tiny factory radiator. I'll check it out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumbscomanche Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 where in la are you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratty Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 3 minutes ago, crumbscomanche said: where in la are you? I'm in El Sereno. Under South Pasadena. What about you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumbscomanche Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 11 minutes ago, ratty said: I'm in El Sereno. Under South Pasadena. What about you? miracle mile by the grove. let me know if you want to do some wheeling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratty Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 15 minutes ago, crumbscomanche said: miracle mile by the grove. let me know if you want to do some wheeling For sure. I'll be around here and there this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Nickintime on his Youtube channel just posted a video of installing a Mishimoto radiator. You may want to watch it first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratty Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 2 hours ago, 87MJTIM said: Nickintime on his Youtube channel just posted a video of installing a Mishimoto radiator. You may want to watch it first. Oh yeah. I watched that a couple days ago. I love his videos. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rokinn Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 I recently converted from a closed to an open cooling system. I had a 3 core all aluminum radiator that made it about 5K before it started leaking. Not sure of brand anymore but I'm reasonably sure racing was in the name/source. I went with a 91+ 2 core (Champion EC1193) from Jegs ($175 w/free shipping). Champion discontinued making the 3 core because they had a lot of problems with durability and I assume the subsequent warrantying of them. It installed perfectly except for having to buy a different cap. The little ears on the cap won't clear the top bracket that holds the radiator in place. I re-purposed the closed system expansion bottle for the overflow on the open system. I drilled a hole in the cap for venting. Plugged the top/side hole with a little silicone and a cap from Lowes (p/n 139461). The 5/16 hose runs to the bottom hole and connects via a 3/4 sch40 coupling (24157). It kind of half assed screws onto to bottom protrusion and is sealed with silicone to hold it in place as well. A 3/4 to 1/2 bushing (51275) screws into that and 1/4" barb x 1/2" MIP (139461) screws into the bottom of that. The over flow hose fits onto the barb and is held secure with a small hose clamp. Easy peasy! Hardest part was figuring out how to run the overflow hose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParadiseMJ Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 When I first got my MJ it had been sitting in a barn for a couple years so I just assumed the radiator was going to be junk. I got a "three row" all metal rad, from Radiator Barn in a lifetime warranty...the kind where they said they'd replace it if I had any trouble with it, including the paper warranty. Fast forward to two years later...the thing leaked, clogged, the filling throat cracked. I called Radiator Barn...whaddya know, they were out of business. So I bought a Spectra radiator, aluminum with plastic tanks and one row because I needed a radiator NOW. I've had that radiator for four years...not a single leak, no cracks and NO overheating...ever. Never over 210, haven't used any coolant didn't do anything fancy to it other than to convert to open cooling way back when I bought the Jeep. So either spend $400 on a "performance" radiator or just change out radiators as a maintenance item every 100K miles or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dvitha Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 The jeeps I use for my shops, not had problems with the system at all. As long as we flush them out and keep coolant system clean. They are all single core systems. The only thing we have done is went to all electric fans. We run a/c in the trucks 9 month a year all day long when driving in our Hot Texas weather. After the plastic bottles leak or blow out, we put in the all aluminum bottles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 10 hours ago, ParadiseMJ said: When I first got my MJ it had been sitting in a barn for a couple years so I just assumed the radiator was going to be junk. I got a "three row" all metal rad, from Radiator Barn in a lifetime warranty...the kind where they said they'd replace it if I had any trouble with it, including the paper warranty. Fast forward to two years later...the thing leaked, clogged, the filling throat cracked. I called Radiator Barn...whaddya know, they were out of business. So I bought a Spectra radiator, aluminum with plastic tanks and one row because I needed a radiator NOW. I've had that radiator for four years...not a single leak, no cracks and NO overheating...ever. Never over 210, haven't used any coolant didn't do anything fancy to it other than to convert to open cooling way back when I bought the Jeep. So either spend $400 on a "performance" radiator or just change out radiators as a maintenance item every 100K miles or so. Spectra is an OEM for GM. People knock them, but they do make (some) decent parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratty Posted May 10, 2018 Author Share Posted May 10, 2018 20 hours ago, ParadiseMJ said: When I first got my MJ it had been sitting in a barn for a couple years so I just assumed the radiator was going to be junk. I got a "three row" all metal rad, from Radiator Barn in a lifetime warranty...the kind where they said they'd replace it if I had any trouble with it, including the paper warranty. Fast forward to two years later...the thing leaked, clogged, the filling throat cracked. I called Radiator Barn...whaddya know, they were out of business. So I bought a Spectra radiator, aluminum with plastic tanks and one row because I needed a radiator NOW. I've had that radiator for four years...not a single leak, no cracks and NO overheating...ever. Never over 210, haven't used any coolant didn't do anything fancy to it other than to convert to open cooling way back when I bought the Jeep. So either spend $400 on a "performance" radiator or just change out radiators as a maintenance item every 100K miles or so. That's great. Sometimes simple is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratty Posted May 10, 2018 Author Share Posted May 10, 2018 18 hours ago, dvitha said: The jeeps I use for my shops, not had problems with the system at all. As long as we flush them out and keep coolant system clean. They are all single core systems. The only thing we have done is went to all electric fans. We run a/c in the trucks 9 month a year all day long when driving in our Hot Texas weather. After the plastic bottles leak or blow out, we put in the all aluminum bottles. I was looking at those aluminum bottles too. Do you have a company you like more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dvitha Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 I purchased 5 of these from Mac's http://macsradiatorshop.com/surge-overflow-tanks/replacment-jeep-radiator-fill-tanks-378.html . I paid 80 a piece, now they gone up in price to 109. Not had a problem with it at all. We make some oil coolers for mac so maybe I got a discount from them because of it, was a long time ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratty Posted May 11, 2018 Author Share Posted May 11, 2018 4 hours ago, dvitha said: I purchased 5 of these from Mac's http://macsradiatorshop.com/surge-overflow-tanks/replacment-jeep-radiator-fill-tanks-378.html . I paid 80 a piece, now they gone up in price to 109. Not had a problem with it at all. We make some oil coolers for mac so maybe I got a discount from them because of it, was a long time ago. Cool. Thanks. I'll most likely get one in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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