87 2.9 radiator swap

[leftlane]

87 2.9 radiator swap NOW WITH PICS

I am going to get rid of the old 1 row radiator and swap it out for a 2 row for a '94 Explorer. I was wanting to wait to do this but due to the top hose nipple breaking off yesterday its finally going to happen. The rad for the 87 ranger is 18"x18 1/2" the Explorer rad is 18"x18 3/8. Price is only about $15 more I think it will be worth it in the long run. Let me know what you think about it.

 

[leftlane]

OLD AND NEW

94 Explorer radiator fit right in like it was made to go there

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

That's a good idea man! If I had known explorer radiators fit in a ranger I woulda done that too. You won't ever have to worry about it over heating!

 

[leftlane]

We took a 200 + mile trip in it yesterday 90+ degrees and sitting in traffic and the temp never got over 195. I was very pleased with it. With old one it never ran below 200-210. So I think I did the right thing.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Nice!

 

[nutpantz]

I was just thinking about this.thank you for the info...

 

[leftlane]

nutpantz the radiator for the 1st year explorers(91-94) will drop right in. The only thing I ran into was the bottom hose nipple is pointed downward instead of straight out like the original. I used the hose that was on it and so far no problems.

 

[jhammel85]

This is a pretty popular swap. I plan to do mine soon when I have some spare money sitting around. The fitting on the right hand side (looking down from the front of the truck) is leaking on mine. I'm throwing in a dual core, hd towing package one myself

I will say though...My regular single core rad right now holds strong @ 195.

 

[nutpantz]

What about the newer explorer v8 rads? (pre 2000)
I am guessing no chance....but..

 

[leftlane]

nutpantz Im not sure about the newer Ex radiators but it would be worth checking into.

 

[nutpantz]

I'll be taking a tape measure to the pick a part next time I go. I have to look at a few things anyways.

 

[Beef52751]

is there a difference between the "W/ A/C" and "W/o A/C" Radiators??? i wondered if the w/o a/c radiators were only single core or something.
Thanks

 

[leftlane]

My truck came with factory A/C and 5 speed, all I could find for the early rangers was 1 core radiators. So I am not sure if they even came with a 2 core. But for the price difference I could not bring my self to put a 1 core back in it. The ones or the Explorers do have the transmission cooler in them but its not a problem since I dont need it any way.

 

[Beef52751]

i was asking about the explorer rads. there is a listing for W/ or W/o A/C, i wondered which i should get. my 86 doesnt have a/c

 

[leftlane]

The one I put in was for A/C with auto. I no longer have A/C on old blue, but I am in the process of putting on board air on it pending water lose results.