TrailTrek2Fish

So… I recently purchased a Champion Cooling System CC50 - 3 Core Radiator. I trucked down to the shop and had that mug installed today. After it was all bolted up, the mechanic smiled and motioned me over. He said, everything but one thing fit perfectly… He reached up, moved the hood stand down, and lowered the hood. The hood would latch but it wouldn't shut all the way!?!?! Dohhhh!!!









I'm waiting for the engine to cool down so I can explore my options. I think I'm going to have to cut down the photographed part of the hood. Dang…

donomite49

Notch the mount holes in the radiator a half inch like I did

TrailTrek2Fish

What about the fan shroud? Can I move it down without having to chop up/remove the shroud?

mbomberz1

Sorry not trying to derail your thread, just had quick question about the new radiator you picked up.

How did you decide on this radiator? Is it as good as the stock one, maybe better? I'm looking to replace my old 88 3vze radiator sometime here soon and not really sure what a good replacement would be. Had mine repaired once before but its starting to show its age again. I would rather replace it than have it burst on me when im on a trip.

Thanks guys!

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

I don`t have any shrouds on any of my Toyota Vehicle

I am pretty sure most were gone before I rescued the vehicle.

No cooling problems

I have the 3 row all brass and copper ones though.

TrailTrek2Fish

I considered shedding the fan shroud but I want to offer at least some sort of protection for the fan. I know it's not a lot but it's something.

If I notch the mounting bracket and lower the radiator, I not only lose the shroud's protection but it also exposes the lower part of the radiator more to road/trail debris.

That said, I'm just going to have my buddy notch that cross brace beneath the hood. It's what is keeping the cap from clearing the hood.

MBOMBERZ1, I decided on this radiator after reading a few posts concerning overheating issues that some folks have encountered. Someone mentioned this brand and model number so I looked into it. Our OEM radiators are only 2 core, actually more like 1.5 core. Look at the photos below. The thickness speaks for itself. The extra core could help cool more fluid at the same rate of time as a 2 core. In my opinion, the OEM radiator is too small for a V6 truck. I want to get as much cooling accomplished without affecting normal system operations under normal loads. I do trips into the Sierras, the backcountry isn't where you want to be stranded. It would cost WAYYY too much to have a truck towed out of the trail. So my $223 (JEGS) investment is definitely worth it, even if I have to have the hood's cross brace notched. Hahaha!

So yeah, IMHO, it is better than the OEM radiator. But if you want to buy the one I had yanked out, it's in great shape. It's only 1.5 years old. I noticed that you also live in the Bay Area, CA. I can meet up with you so you can look at it. Just let me know via PM.

TrailTrek2Fish

BTW: Can you guys see the photos??? For some reason it just shows the question mark icon. I can see them if I right click and open it in a new tab.

rworegon

Can't see 'em.

TrailTrek2Fish

Now can you guys see it? Embedding photos is tougher than I thought!

rworegon

Yes, can see them now.

Punchy

Suggest keep a shroud, Especially if you have auto with stock cooling and if you are a AC user.


You can drill extra holes in the radiator mount to lower it.

TrailTrek2Fish

So after a lot of measuring, thought, and staring at the radiator and it's neighbors… I decided to toss out the fan shroud after all. I have a manual transmission and wish I had an A/C. Hahaha!

Even if I opted to chop-chop the hood's cross brace, the shoulders on the radiator would still extend past the level plane of the hood. So as DONOMITE49 (Thanks dewd!) advised earlier, I had my buddy punch 4 new holes on the mounting bracket and had him lower the radiator about 1". Thankfully, there was just enough real estate on the bracket. It's really close to the edge of the bracket but nevertheless, it mounted, cleared, and is poised to cool more efficiently.

The lower part of the radiator is obviously closer to the ground but I realized that it is an unused portion of the radiator. That is the portion that is used to hook up to an A/T. Wheeew!

Gevo

I have this radiator ,
and no chopping of any sort was required! It looks very similar to the one you have, if not the same. Great product btw!

donomite49

I lowered my radiator a half inch or so and still run a 3.0 shroud.