Can I use this radiator

[Bronco638]

Water temp sees 220-230* fairly often when I'm beating on it.

No oil temp gauge... Just figured cooling any fluid in the engine would at least help.

That's not crazy high but it's getting there. And, yes, cooling the oil would help but you don't want to cool it too much. As I mentioned, you'll want to keep the oil within 20º-30º of the water temperature (the oil temp will be higher than the water temp). So, getting an oil temp gauge might be a first step.

I have the factory 2 core Ranger rad...I am going to squeeze a factory Explorer 2 core in there soon to see if that helps (3-4" wider, and 4-5" taller)

That might work as long as you can get the air flow thru the radiator support. You will gain some extra cooling just because there's more surface area. However, the Ex radiator may not be as efficient as it could be due to lack of air flow. So, before you hack your radiator support, look into having a third core added to your Ranger radiator. There may even be a competition radiator that's available that would bolt in. Although, I suspect a good radiator shop could mod your radiator with another core or make something custom for you. That may be all you need to drop 10º-20º of water temperature.

 

[PlumCrazy]

I ditched the factory core support a few years ago....I built one out of 1.25" tube..so air flow isn't really an issue.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

That might work as long as you can get the air flow thru the radiator support. You will gain some extra cooling just because there's more surface area. However, the Ex radiator may not be as efficient as it could be due to lack of air flow. So, before you hack your radiator support, look into having a third core added to your Ranger radiator. There may even be a competition radiator that's available that would bolt in. Although, I suspect a good radiator shop could mod your radiator with another core or make something custom for you. That may be all you need to drop 10º-20º of water temperature.

Explorer radiators are a drop in. I can never keep it straight if they changed the mounts in 95 or 96 on the Ranger. 91-94 Explorer drops in the earlier and 95-01 drops in the later.

My 5.0 is a happy little tick with a 91-94 2 row Explorer radiator that bolted in where the stock single row unbolted in my '85.

 

[PlumCrazy]

False. The 95+ Expo rad is the same as the 98+ Ranger. The 95+ rad wont fit between the 93-97 accordion crumple zone Ranger frame rails. I know this for a fact.

EDIT: The 95 Ranger has the same mounting system as the 95+ Expo but its wayyyy narrower and shorter (wings on the tanks and two bolts up top)

 

[PlumCrazy]

 

[PlumCrazy]

^Ignore the "5.0" part. Same as the 4.0 in the Expo

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

False. The 95+ Expo rad is the same as the 98+ Ranger. The 95+ rad wont fit between the 93-97 accordion crumple zone Ranger frame rails. I know this for a fact.

EDIT: The 95 Ranger has the same mounting system as the 95+ Expo but its wayyyy narrower and shorter (wings on the tanks and two bolts up top)

Thanks for correcting me on that... now if only I could remember who the twit was who told it to me.