5:22 am
May 4, 2004
While working on my brakes recently I noticed a crack in one of the welds on my Griffin aluminum radiator (fon a TJ for those who don't know). One of the welds that attaches the driver's side mounting bracket to the upper tank was cracked about 2/3's of the way across. 😥 It looks like it should be repairable, but I swapped in a new replacement radiator from Napa for now.
I got the new radiator from Napa on Zinfadel. I was really surprised when I asked for the 7% AAA discount and the salesman said "wait a minute, let me make a call". He called 1800radiator for a price match which was $40 less than Napa's price. 😀
3:44 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
6:32 pm
May 4, 2004
How much was the Modine?
The Napa radiator I got, with the price match, was $138 with a lifetime warranty. When I got home I read the box a little closer and found that even though it's from Napa, it's still made in China. It's much better quality than the others I've gotten from some of the online discount radiator places though and seems comparable to the factory radiator.
It seems to be working well for now. Engine temps are staying at 210 or slightly below. I've seen the transmission temp get up to 180 while sitting and idling in neutral for about 30 minutes. While on the road the transmission is barely above 100.
Another thing I did was remove the large transmission cooler I had installed. I've been wondering if the trans cooler was blocking too much airflow to the radiator. At this point my cooling system is basically back to stock, with the exception of the 7 blade fan and heavier duty fan clutch Jeep put out for the TJ's. I'll see what happens when summer rolls around.
8:18 pm
May 4, 2004
My factory radiator cracked years ago. I replaced it with a "good" 🙄 all brass radiator from one of the online discount places. IIRC, it only lasted about a year before it failed. With my running hot problems I decided to splurge for the all aluminum name-brand radiator which lasted for 3 years. Now I'm on the fourth and back to a factory style aluminum & plastic radiator.
9:50 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
"FAM" wrote: My factory radiator cracked years ago. I replaced it with a "good" 🙄 all brass radiator from one of the online discount places. IIRC, it only lasted about a year before it failed. With my running hot problems I decided to splurge for the all aluminum name-brand radiator which lasted for 3 years. Now I'm on the fourth and back to a factory style aluminum & plastic radiator.
Is the Napa radiator the same as the stock aluminum and plastic one?
4:11 pm
"JohnDF" wrote: [quote="Bender"][quote="JohnDF"]I'm still running the stock/original radiator in my Jeep.
We're so cool we can keep it stock. If these guys just quit running their A/C all day they'd be fine.
My A/C is a different story...mine's broke twice
I took mine off. When I finally get it together, my A/C button will stand for "Air Compressor". Which reminds me...anyone have some scrap steel they want to get rid of? I'm looking for some 1/4" or 3/8" plate. I can bring some cash to the meeting.
4:23 pm
Club Member
January 20, 2009
"JohnDF" wrote: I'm still running the stock/original radiator in my Jeep.
"Bender" wrote: I took mine off. When I finally get it together, my A/C button will stand for "Air Compressor". Which reminds me...anyone have some scrap steel they want to get rid of? I'm looking for some 1/4" or 3/8" plate. I can bring some cash to the meeting.
I've been running my stock radiator for almost 18 years now! 😀
I only have Poor Man's A/C though (top off), never had real A/C.
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