Explorer radiator swap?

[rusty ol ranger]

Rusty 2.0 needs a new radiator. Im thinking about doing the explorer 4.0 swap because i dont want it gettin hot. Period. I also tow my quad and shit in the summer and plan on gettin the AC fixed.

Heres my question...i looked up online it looks like a 92 4.0/5sp explorer radiator is a direct fit. Is this correct? If not which one do i need? And it is total plug n play correct?

 

[Paulos]

The auto trans radiator is twice as thick (that's what I put in mine). You also need to get a 4.0 upper hose and trim it to fit. Looks like everything for the 4.0 is the same through '94.

 

[Snoranger]

I believe you want the 91-94 Explorer automatic w/ air conditioning radiator. That's the heavy duty cooling rad.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/murray-heat-transfer-4283/cooling---heating-16773/radiator-20386/radiator-11357/02ac48565f9e/murray-heat-transfer-radiator/432217/4459224/1992/ford/explorer?q=radiator&pos=1

.

This bad boy here?

 

[Paulos]

snoranger is right; I forgot to mention "with AC". Rock Auto is much cheaper if you can wait a few days. On Rock Auto's site they are the rads with 1164 in the model number. 2-1/4" thick 2 row. The one I got at a radiator shop several years ago has the same specs as the one you linked to at O'Reilly. The 1164 is 1/2" thicker.

 

[Paulos]

If you have a manual trans now and you get the auto trans radiator, you'll need to get a lower hose for the auto trans radiator also. I just looked at my notes and I have the Gates 21623 lower (auto trans) and Gates 21897 (upper). The pics on Rock Auto show the manual trans radiator with a straight 90° outlet, and the auto trans radiator has an angled down outlet.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

snoranger is right; I forgot to mention "with AC". Rock Auto is much cheaper if you can wait a few days. On Rock Auto's site they are the rads with 1164 in the model number. 2-1/4" thick 2 row. The one I got at a radiator shop several years ago has the same specs as the one you linked to at O'Reilly. The 1164 is 1/2" thicker.

I can wait, ill check out rock auto. Im gonna keep running it for now, just keep a close eye on the coolant. It was a hard leak to find. It wont leave puddles or nothin after its shut off, but it was comin out pretty noticable with a pressure tester. Coming out on both bottom corners.

Good bit on the hoses...was wondering about that.

 

[Nez'sRanger]

That sounds like a nice upgrade... My question is, what do you do with the tranny cooler lines on the new radiator? Doesn't that make up a good chunk of the radiator?

 

[Snoranger]

That sounds like a nice upgrade... My question is, what do you do with the tranny cooler lines on the new radiator? Doesn't that make up a good chunk of the radiator?

Nothing... You do absolutely nothing.
Unless you want to use it as a power steering cooler, a diff cooler, (swap to an auto trans and use it as) a trans cooler, etc.

 

[Paulos]

what do you do with the tranny cooler lines on the new radiator? Doesn't that make up a good chunk of the radiator?

You just leave the cooling ports like they are (usually have plastic plugs in them), and the tanks are bigger on the automatic radiators to accommodate the cooling coils inside the drivers side tank. They will probably increase the total amount of coolant you use.

It was a hard leak to find. It wont leave puddles or nothin after its shut off, but it was comin out pretty noticable with a pressure tester. Coming out on both bottom corners.

Glad to hear you found the leak(s). I can't say I've ever had that happen.

 

[Josh B]

Did they change something from 94 - 96 ?
I noticed my 96 Explorer had a larger radiator than the 93 Ranger when I got it, but didn't know about the swapping until reading this thread.
The 96 Explorer radiator(automatic w/ AC) is also 2 1/4" thick core

 

[Paulos]

Did they change something from 94 - 96 ?
I noticed my 96 Explorer had a larger radiator than the 93 Ranger when I got it, but didn't know about the swapping until reading this thread.
The 96 Explorer radiator(automatic w/ AC) is also 2 1/4" thick core

Details at Rock Auto on the '95-'96 show they are about 1" narrower and 3" taller.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Details at Rock Auto on the '95-'96 show they are about 1" narrower and 3" taller.

I think they also mount different dont they?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Glad to hear you found the leak(s). I can't say I've ever had that happen.

Im glad to. I thought i had a cracked head.

 

[Snoranger]

I think they also mount different dont they?

Yes. The entire rad support is different from the 1/2 gen.