Radiator swap

[coulrophobian]

radiator swap

I have an 89 2.9 ranger and was wondering if there was a radiator I could swap (perhaps from an explorer) because my stock radiator has a minor leak and would rather just get a new one than plug it with crappy "Radiotor leak stop." Any suggestions?

 

[fastpakr]

Moving to the 2.9 section...

You need the two row radiator from a 4.0 truck an automatic trans. It should be around $115 shipped and is at least twice the size of your existing unit.

 

[coulrophobian]

I have an 89 2.9 Ranger and have a slight leak on my radiator. I was told that a dual row can be obtained from an explorer and is completely bolt-on. Is this true and what year(s) are interchangeable with my 89?

 

[fastpakr]

The front end design really isn't an issue. '84 was the only year with an incompatible radiator mounting design. You can swap the two row radiator into an '85+ truck as far as I know (my '86 Ranger got one). Seems to me that I used one stock hose and one from a 4.0 truck, although I don't remember which was which. Should be documented very thoroughly here. Kept the stock fan shroud with no fitment issues at all.

Edit - by the way, the radiator you need is $116.20 shipped from Radiatorbarn.com.

 

[fastpakr]

Must be a design difference with the 3.0 vs 4.0 cooling system. Definitely not required on a 2.9 conversion.

 

[coulrophobian]

Awesome and thanks a lot!

 

[coulrophobian]

PS ~ What are the advantages to having a dual row radiator?

 

[coulrophobian]

I would agree that they need all the cooling they can get... I've rebuilt the top end of my 2.9 TWICE now, both with cracked heads (go figure). Thought a radiator upgrade would help and you just confirmed it.