How to properly install 4.0 Explorer Radiator in 88 Ranger

[muerte69]

I just got a Explorer radiator to replace my leaking radiator on my 2.9L 88 Ranger 4x4.

I need to know what hoses to pick up for upper and lower?

Do I need to plug the 2 extra holes I am assuming were for the transmission lines? And can these be used for a oil cooler if it is possible to install one on the 2.9 if I can find one?

I did not get the shroud so will need to hit up a JY for one or may just get an electric and be done with it.

Any other tips or info on installing this baby so I can hopefully get it in this weekend.

Thanks,
Muerte

 

[88_Eddie]

nice thread buddy!! i wanna do this in my 88 b2. not sure about those tranny holes, using it for an oil cooler would be awesome. here's another way
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/OilCooler.htm

i'm about to go to an electrical fan myself as well, but i havent done a radiator, so show me how it's done

 

[alaskan155]

for the bad news.


you got the wrong one...... you wanted the explorer 4.0 heavy duty rad 91-94 which is bolt in, that is a 95-01 4.0 so it wont work with extensive mods to the radiator support(have to chop the bottom of the support out and redo it)

 

[muerte69]

That's off of a 94 from what I was told...
Mods I can do but it won't be pretty. At least not at first...

That's kinda why I wanted to post since there is nothing on here to show what the Explorer radiator looks like or very much info the proper way to do it.

Everything I found say put in a 4.0L radiator and that it may use this hose or that hose but nothing in stone you know.

So now the question is how do I modify the supports and what not?
I got the radiator so might as well get something on here about how to do it and all that.

And which hoses are the right ones??

 

[NMB2]

that radiator is way wrong. I just installed a 93 4.0 HD radiator in my 88 B2 yesterday. was a direct bolt in. Re-used my hoses.

 

[out cast]

x3, wrong radiator. 91-91 is shorter height wise and is able to reuse all factory 2.9 lines. I did it on my 88 ranger and had it in in 5 minutes, with no modifications.

 

[holyford86]

If you have a manual trans radiator (lower hose connection will point straight back) on your 2.9 truck the lower hose will not work. You will need to get the lower hose for the auto version. 2.9 upper hose will work though, some people report having to trim and/or twist it to work with the rad.

 

[muerte69]

Well going to look at a 91 explorer radiator on Friday. No clue on price yet.
If it is the one I need I will get it and post a proper how to with pics and all that fun stuff.
If it's not then I will keep looking, keep the one I got on craigslist and think up devious ways to put it into my truck maybe.

Holy:
So you are saying if I have a manual tranny truck I will need the auto Ranger lower hose but the upper ranger hose should be fine?
Just making sure before I buy hoses since I have seen post about using 1 explorer and 1 ranger, both ranger and what not.

Thanks guys. Kinda blew away that happy feeling for a bit but no biggie. Friday comes soon and then it's beer time...

 

[holyford86]

Holy:
So you are saying if I have a manual tranny truck I will need the auto Ranger lower hose but the upper ranger hose should be fine?
Just making sure before I buy hoses since I have seen post about using 1 explorer and 1 ranger, both ranger and what not.

Thanks guys. Kinda blew away that happy feeling for a bit but no biggie. Friday comes soon and then it's beer time...

yep, that's what I'm saying

 

[muerte69]

Thanks man. I will keep that in mind when I'm hooking everything up.