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Radiator for v8 swap?


ben_2_go

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My truck is a 2001 with a 2.5 and autoshatic. Is there a radiator that will drop in place of the original? What about a Ranger 4.0 radiator or 5.0 radiator from an Exploder? What fan shroud?
 


Ramcharger90

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That year range should take a 5.0 exploder rad if you want to use one.
 

ben_2_go

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Thanks. I've been eyeing those all aluminum 3 row rads on ebay for the 5.0 Exploder.
 

2Krngr

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My truck is a 2001 with a 2.5 and autoshatic. Is there a radiator that will drop in place of the original? What about a Ranger 4.0 radiator or 5.0 radiator from an Exploder? What fan shroud?
You can bolt any 98-11 ranger radiator from any engine size into your truck as well as the 96-01 5.0 explorer radiator. The OEM 5.0 radiators have the AC condenser snap onto it with some plastic sliding bracketry, so you would need to use the 5.0 condenser with the radiator and unbolt the lower bracket from the rangers radiator support that holds the condenser. As the 5.0 radiator doesn't sit down into the frame properly and hits the rangers condenser support bracket.

Using the 5.0 radiator is the way to go, the fan shroud will fit fine with your 5.0 swap. Everything bolts in directly for the cooling system and AC, as long as you have all the parts from the Explorer.

I have one of the Aluminum 5.0 radiators in one of my rangers, which did clear the stock 4.0 condenser and bracket. So there is that route as well.
 

fastpakr

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I'm using the stock Explorer 5.0 radiator in my swap as well.
 

ben_2_go

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Thanks guys. Looks like I'll be going with the Exploder 5.0 rad. Any opinions on the all aluminum units from ebay?
 

Elutheros

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After I installed Vintage Air AC my '94 Explorer radiator just couldn't do the job. Soooo, I got a 2000 Explorer radiator from the local JY for $35 and installed it. It barely fits between the frame rails on my '92 Ranger and as I already new it hangs 4-5 inches below the frame. I had to do some more core support trimming and the rubber mounts for the "wings" sit on the frame. We finally tested it on a 90 mile round trip at 90 degrees yesterday and the max temperature logged was 197.5. So much better! Now I'm almost done fabbing a skid plate to protect my investment from 1/8" steel diamond plate. I'm still using a Volvo fan controlled by the A/C, the ECU and backed up by a grounding switch.
exrad.jpg
IMG_1794.jpg
skidpl2.jpg
IMG_1802.jpg
 
Last edited:

85_Ranger4x4

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After I installed Vintage Air AC my '94 Explorer radiator just couldn't do the job. Soooo, I got a 2000 Explorer radiator from the local JY for $35 and installed it. It barely fits between the frame rails on my '92 Ranger and as I already new it hangs 4-5 inches below the frame. I had to do some more core support trimming and the rubber mounts for the "wings" sit on the frame. We finally tested it on a 90 mile round trip at 90 degrees yesterday and the max temperature logged was 197.5. So much better! Now I'm almost done fabbing a skid plate to protect my investment from 1/8" steel diamond plate. I'm still using a Volvo fan controlled by the A/C, the ECU and backed up by a grounding switch.View attachment 82979View attachment 82980View attachment 82981View attachment 83030
Any engine bay pics?

I have mulled this, with my body lift there shouldn't be much hanging out the bottom but I have never seen one in a older TTB truck though.
 

Elutheros

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Any engine bay pics?

Here's some more pics. BTW it requires a longer lower hose and the Explorer radiator outlet is 1 1/2" and the inlet to the water pump is 1/3/4". I finally found a 27" hose with those sizes at Advance Auto Parts for $51.00.
IMG_1803.jpg
IMG_1804.jpg
 

Tech-man

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My '96 Ranger would not accept any 5.0 Explorer radiator without a lot of hacking on the core support, wasn't even close. I got an aluminum radiator from Northern Radiator from Ebay, fits like a glove & stock 5.0 Explorer clutch fan fits also with room to spare.
 

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