Manual Trans Radiator Question

[cahman]

Hello All!

I have a 1998 Ranger 2.5L (the "big boy" Lima!) 2WD with manual trans.

The radiator is cracked. Looking at RockAuto and the parts stores, the only radiators I can find have integral trans cooler. My current, cracked radiator does NOT have a trans cooler. Few Questions:

1) Does the trans cooler change the radiator dimensions? (The old one is still in the truck, but they are close as far as I can tell...)
2) What to do with the trans cooler ports, just plug them up?
3) Somewhere I can find a replacement radiator w/o the trans cooler?

Thanks,
-C

 

[adsm08]

The overall width is not changed. I believe the one with the cooler has a smaller face, but is usually thicker. They fit interchangeably.

Ignore them, run PS fluid through them, plug them, whatever floats your boat.

They are hard to come by, it's cheaper to make one style.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I plugged mine to keep moisture and debris from accumulating in it.

 

[Bgunner]

Radiators with a trans cooler in a manual shift is actually quite common. As adsm08 said it is cheaper for aftermarket manufacturers to make one style that fits both auto and manual transmissions. It is common practice to install them, as I have done on my Ranger and many other vehicles in the past.

 

[racsan]

Ive thought about using the auto trans cooler in the radiator for power steering before. Usually a new radiator will come with plastic plugs you can just leave in for manual transmission applications.

 

[wildbill23c]

Either radiator will fit, both manual and auto equipped trucks are both the same size LOL. Just don't worry about the trans cooler connections, your manual transmission doesn't have that feature LOL. I guess you could figure out a way to plumb it to use as an engine oil cooler maybe, other than that just leave the caps/plugs on the ports and ignore it.

 

[Rick W]

I just bought a replacement for my cracked 87, and a replacement for my 97 which looked like a cesspool under the cap. Both are five-speed and both came with the trans cooler.

A more significant consideration might be the capacity of the radiator. I’m not sure what came in yours, but both of mine had single cores and I’m replacing them both with double cores. They drop right in, and I don’t think there’s even an interference problem with the shroud and with the fan. They’re only about $30 $35 more, which is cheap insurance for a higher mileage truck. Basically you can’t have a radiator that’s too big, it’s the thermostat that controls the temperature, and with an older vehicle you might want more capacity to cool, which is cheap insurance for a higher mileage truck.

my 2 cents, hope it helps.

Afterthought, what about routing the windshield washer fluid through that trans cooler. Bet you’d never have cleaner windshield!!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My 85 shroud did NOT fit my two row Explorer radiator. Bottom mounting tabs were located differently.

 

[pjtoledo]

I just bought a replacement for my cracked 87, and a replacement for my 97 which looked like a cesspool under the cap. Both are five-speed and both came with the trans cooler.

A more significant consideration might be the capacity of the radiator. I’m not sure what came in yours, but both of mine had single cores and I’m replacing them both with double cores. They drop right in, and I don’t think there’s even an interference problem with the shroud and with the fan. They’re only about $30 $35 more, which is cheap insurance for a higher mileage truck. Basically you can’t have a radiator that’s too big, it’s the thermostat that controls the temperature, and with an older vehicle you might want more capacity to cool, which is cheap insurance for a higher mileage truck.

my 2 cents, hope it helps.

Afterthought, what about routing the windshield washer fluid through that trans cooler. Bet you’d never have cleaner windshield!!

for those of us in colder regions I'm not sure spraying hot liquid on a cold windshield would be a good idea.

 

[Rick W]

for those of us in colder regions I'm not sure spraying hot liquid on a cold windshield would be a good idea.

Those who don’t know me well, especially with my shy and retiring quiet manner, would never guess that after my engineering degree, I got a masters in applied useless knowledge from RBI (the Rube Goldberg Institute), and then an international PHD in sarcasm. On a rare occasion, one may want to get a second opinion on some of my solutions and Betterment proposals....

 

[pjtoledo]

I didn't know you were a politician????

 

[Rick W]

I didn't know you were a politician?

Worse: Real estate broker ...

 

[pjtoledo]

Worse: Real estate broker ...

that's great. I know somebody that wants to escape the snow & cold, how's the market in Georgia?

 

[Rick W]

that's great. I know somebody that wants to escape the snow & cold, how's the market in Georgia?

Atlanta has grown from 1million in metro area to over 7 million since I moved here in ‘79, no end in sight, and a lot of personal freedom and career opportunity. Great market. Ditto Georgia in general.

I’m semi-retired, but I have/had a boutique business brokerage and commercial real estate geared to international: international companies moving here or our companies moving there. So, I don’t do residential, but I can refer top notch residential agents I trust highly. In what I do, I can’t have a part time school teacher or housewife agent chasing a $2,000 commission and screw up a $20 million deal. Not bragging, it’s just what I do.

I’ve also worked all over the south. If you want to put me in touch with your friend, I can help them figure out what they want and where (not just the house, but the job, community, social, etc.). When you move companies, you move all the people too. And the majority have spouses. One thing in all languages and all cultures, if mama ain’t happy,…

afterthought: I’ve lived and worked everywhere, but always kept the house in Atlanta. I wouldn’t consider anywhere else: cost of living, southern charm, economy, etc., etc.

 

[pjtoledo]

Atlanta has grown from 1million in metro area to over 7 million since I moved here in ‘79, no end in sight, and a lot of personal freedom and career opportunity. Great market. Ditto Georgia in general.

I’m semi-retired, but I have/had a boutique business brokerage and commercial real estate geared to international: international companies moving here or our companies moving there. So, I don’t do residential, but I can refer top notch residential agents I trust highly. In what I do, I can’t have a part time school teacher or housewife agent chasing a $2,000 commission and screw up a $20 million deal. Not bragging, it’s just what I do.

I’ve also worked all over the south. If you want to put me in touch with your friend, I can help them figure out what they want and where (not just the house, but the job, community, social, etc.). When you move companies, you move all the people too. And the majority have spouses. One thing in all languages and all cultures, if mama ain’t happy,…

both of my kids, 35 & 38, keep hinting at moving south. I keep telling them how peaceful it is in northern Michigan this time of year. no problem social distancing there either.

I'll keep you in mind if they start packing. Thanks.