Going to swap out my radiator. 1988 22re 4x4 and manual trans. Any reason not to go with a 3 row? Isn't more cooling better than less? I do off road this thing and will climb it hard.

What is a good online source for a new radiator? I'm more concerned with getting a good quality one than I am saving a few bucks.

 

heres a source on line and i have used there radiator before. and i would do a 3 row. i had an 87 22re that i had a 3row and was glad i did cause it ran hot. and kept it from over heating when in traffic.


http://performanceradiator.com/

 

It depends....Some manufacturers stopped making 3 rows and instead went with "high efficiency" 2 rows that are supposed to be equal to the stock 3 row cooling wise. What it amounts to are 1 less row of tubes,with more fins per inch crammed in there. And sometimes a slightly larger tube for more tube-to-fin contact,and sometimes they put tiny dimples in the tubes to slow the coolant flow down so it is having more heat pulled out of it before just going right through the radiator.

We actually carry performance radiators like the above mentioned post,and they are one of the manufacturers that does alot of the "high efficiency" replacements.It depends on the part#.

 

also, when you increase rows or fin density, you also increase air resistance... this makes it harder for air to pass through the radiator to cool, so sometimes on some brands of radiators, it may make things worse

 

Depends on what its made of.
Ill take an aluminum 2 row over a copper 3 row any day.

 

So since it had a 2 row stock, should I just go with another 2 row? The ones I've been looking at are all metal, but not aluminum. Copper and/or brass I'd assume.

 

I had a stock 2row, one of the spot welds broke on the mounts and it started leaking in the middle so i did a 3row out of a 2nd gen runner.

 

Depends.
If it runs hot it could be other things. Could be a different thermostat than stock
Could be a clogged rad
Could be clogged hoses.
I just bought whatever shucks had for a replacement, and it's worked well so far. Plastic/Aluminum. No complaints on my part whatsoever.

 

id recommend a tried and true copper brass .. 3 row would be better it WILL cool better ..

but whatever you do stay away from the plastic aluminum ..

 

whys that?

 

They dont last .. they will crack and they will leak sooner and more often. their cheap..

where the tank and core are crimped it will leak, slowly but surely .give it a year or so.....
the copper brass is just more heavy duty and cools great..
i have a plastic aluminum on my 94 4runner and within the year it was already showing leakeage from the crimp area.

when i go to pick and pull i notice the runners and trucks with the plastic tanks .. they show leakage!!

 

A few years ago, I replaced the old 2 row with a three row. It ran hot on hot days at highway speeds. After a few years, I swapped in a new OEM 2 row. Cools fine under all conditions.

 

I had a similar experience with a aluminum/plastic radiator. Cooled great, looked nice, but the crimp leaked after 6 months.

The copper/brass CSF 2-row I have in there now cools perfectly fine. I don't think I could have fit a 3-row with the chunky Villager e-fan in there...

One thing to consider is that while brass is a little less thermally conductive than aluminum (about 2/3), it is often stronger so the tubes can be made thinner. In the end it conducts heat away at the same rate or possibly better.

 

Most new radiators are plastic/aluminum. There's nothing wrong with the design, cheap aftermarket replacements are the cause of the leaks. The 12 year old plastic/aluminum rad in my 98 4r was fine when I Replaced it for preventative measures. Plastic and aluminum are cheaper materials to use then copper so companies can make a cheap replacement which will sell better. That's why you see more leak, no one markets a cheap copper rad, because copper is expensive. So if you want aluminum, then get a good brand and you'll be fine.

 

I use a one row aluminum radiator, but it is one BIG row. Aluminum tubes can be made bigger and one big tube allows for more tube to fin contact (as I think someone already pointed out).

I agree though that the plastic tank joints can be a weak point, it would be nice to have an all aluminum rad but get out your check book for that.

 

I've had mine since last may lol.
Almost going on a year now with no leaks..

 

I always see people saying to break out the checkbook for an all aluminum radiator but Ive been looking at these and the prices dont seem to be outlandish..And was wondering why the 3 row is cheaper than the 2 row so i called the company. They said that its because the 2 row is sold WAY more than the 3 row. I would also like to remove the clutch fan and just install an electric fan setup. Anyone have a writeup on this?

http://www.shepherdautoparts.com/all...nner/1989.html

 

Wow, those are really cheap. Wonder if they are paper thin or something...sounds too good to be true.

 

Thats what I was thinking.. And now all this talk about aluminum rads not lasting as long as the copper ones or leaking much sooner has me thinking I should do more research on what I should get..

 

sub'd. some good info here