Open radiator options

[Fernando87mj]

How’s it going guys ! 
      So the  radiator on my 88 has started leaking at the left corner.  So I decided I’m going to swap to the open cooling system. I’ve been doing research and was wondering who has bought what and what worked and what didn’t. I don’t mind spending a little extra if have too but nothing to crazy... I just want something that will cool just as good as the oem  and will last. Another thing I want Is the bung for the radiator fan switch since this is Renix.  
    So far I see some people have used spectra premium radiators which I am heavily considering . I see that these already have the bung for the fan switch. For those that have used this radiator , how has it held up ? 
   Another radiator I'm considering is the ff dynamics radiator that don hornbrod (rip) had used. Anyone have this in there rig ? 
 

   Also I don’t do any crazy wheeling , this my dd , it’s stock , 235 tires , 4.0 , manual transmission , a/c isn’t used  If that matters 

 

   Any input is appreciated, let me know what you have used and how has it held up ! 

[Crash]

I've got an off the shelf spectra rad in my heeps. They work well.

Just go to your local O'Reilly, Carquest, Napa etc and pick up an ho era rad, heater hoses, and universal overflow tank. And a cap, of course.

 

 

 

[Fernando87mj]

14 minutes ago, Crash said:

I've got an off the shelf spectra rad in my heeps. They work well.

Just go to your local O'Reilly, Carquest, Napa etc and pick up an ho era rad, heater hoses, and universal overflow tank. And a cap, of course.

 

 

 

Yeah I think I might go with the spectra , how are your engine temps ? Any difference? 

[PIKE]

This is the radiator  I will get if I need a new one. I have a CSF three core now, it works but I am not really impressed with the quality. 

https://www.mishimoto.com/jeep-cherokee-xj-aluminum-radiator-1989-2001.html

 

This radiator will allow you to go open and has the fitting to allow you to use your fan switch.

I have there radiator in my 1997 Grand Cherokee and think its a quality product.

I also have a 1996 F350 Powerstroke and Mishimoto is the preferred after market radiator for these trucks.

[87MJTIM]

I put in an open radiator last year.  Purchased off amazon.  I cannot find the brand, thou.

 

It came with a bung hole for the temp switch.

 

No problems.

 

NAPA sells NR2802.  

[Minuit]

Spectra CU1193.

 

No fitment problems, no changes to the truck needed (other than a recovery bottle, and I guess the factory Renix bottle could even be reused), no worries. I like to be different, so I used a Renix-era 2.5L overflow bottle that mounts where the ECU is on the HO Jeeps.

 

It came with the bung for the fan switch. @Pete M can attest to this - he watched me install it.

 

Performance is much better in that the cooling system actually functions now. Minor temperature fluctuations after coming to a stop, but I expect this of a single core radiator.

[Green Mesa XJ]

I’ve used spectra rad in on of our cars with no issues. When I replaced the jeeps radiators I went with metal tank, last one was a two or three row for the 4.0 HO Jeep.

No other reason than I don’t like plastic tanks on the radiators.

In the last two years all the radiators I’ve replaced were inexpensive welded aluminum radiators. Decent quality and the were so cheap compared to what I paid for off the shelf stuff at Vatozone

From what I’ve noticed Spectra is usually look very close to factory specs and are the same quality or better local parts houses sell for more.

The spectra rad I put in was a car with a turbo engine, it was nearly identical to the factory rad and it cools well, especially considering it’s the heat of the south and a turbo adding to the engine heat.



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[Fernando87mj]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I really appreciate it. After doing research it seems like Napa and autozone both sell the spectra. Not sure about oreilly. My local Napa had it for 160. I  ended up buying it at autozone for 112$. Also got the 20$ reward after spending over a 100$ which is awesome.  Can’t wait to get it in. I’m currently awaiting for my 97+ heater hoses and 2.5 overflow bottle to arrive 

[Fernando87mj]

[Crash]

Temp is better and consistent vs closed.
MJ runs warm on mountain passes, but that's mostly due to factory non-AC, and only having a mechanical fan. I do need to check my fan clutch though.
XJ has the first gen DBO triple fan setup, and runs fine. Both vehicles have some Water Wetter in the system.

Yeah I think I might go with the spectra , how are your engine temps ? Any difference? 

[AZJeff]

I have put CSF rads in both my MJ and my previous XJ's, and found them to be the best, most durable solution.   The plastic tanked rads don't seen to survive here in the Arizona heat very long, even if you are religious about keeping the coolant clean and fresh, as I am.

[boxyjeep]

I bought the Mushimoto, but haven't installed it yet.  However, it is amazing.  Really really high quality and all aluminum.  If it ever gets damaged, it would be pretty easy for a local rad shop to fix.  It's also massive.

[Eagle]

23 hours ago, Crash said:

I've got an off the shelf spectra rad in my heeps. They work well.

Just go to your local O'Reilly, Carquest, Napa etc and pick up an ho era rad, heater hoses, and universal overflow tank. And a cap, of course.

 

 

Many (most?) of the HO radiators don't have the bung for the aux fan switch.

[eaglescout526]

3 hours ago, Fernando87mj said:

2.5 overflow bottle to arrive

 

Good luck finding a suitable cap for that bottle. Its ironic how crown makes that bottle but no cap to go with it. I found that the old 5 quart oil bottles worked as a cap. I know there was some NOS caps left but I don't know where now.

[Fernando87mj]

1 hour ago, eaglescout526 said:

 

Good luck finding a suitable cap for that bottle. Its ironic how crown makes that bottle but no cap to go with it. I found that the old 5 quart oil bottles worked as a cap. I know there was some NOS caps left but I don't know where now.

Awesome I’ll keep that in mind , and I know I had seen that in previous topics, you’re right , I don’t get why they would do that . 

[Fernando87mj]

Thanks for all the input guys , I really appreciate It ! I’ll make sure to update this once I swap everything in 

[Minuit]

9 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

 

Good luck finding a suitable cap for that bottle. Its ironic how crown makes that bottle but no cap to go with it. I found that the old 5 quart oil bottles worked as a cap. I know there was some NOS caps left but I don't know where now.

Some type of GM cap ended up being the solution to that. 90s full-size truck maybe?

[eaglescout526]

2 minutes ago, Minuit said:

Some type of GM cap ended up being the solution to that. 90s full-size truck maybe?

That is correct! I forgot all about that. 80's to 90's GM coolant bottle caps do indeed fit. I know a guy who has a Fierro and he had that coolant cap and I tested it and sure enough it fit as it should.