2.5L ('98-'01) radiator upgrade recommendations?

[jp52]

New guy here, poked around a little but haven't found an answer. I've got a crack in the radiator at the upper hose. Looking at replacements seems they are all plastic as well. I've found a few welded aluminum ones on Ebay (all made in china distributed by a couple different US companies I've never heard of). Anyone out there have a recommendation on a good replacement? My ranger is a 2.5, manual, no AC. Which reminds me, I'm considering salvaging an ac system out of a junkyard truck, would I need a two core radiator if I run an AC or is the stock one adequate?

Thanks

Jon

 

[scotts90ranger]

Anything anymore is a crapshoot, I'd probably do something local that has a warranty, if you make it past the 90 days you're probably fine... plastic side tanks is just the standard anymore, nothing too bad about it...

All radiators you'll find are the automatic transmission version anymore so they're already bigger than your stock radiator which would probably put up with A/C, on my '97 I already don't have any heat output below 50F so a Lima doesn't need much...

 

[jp52]

Fair enough. I'll just go with whatever autozone has and see how long it lasts. Parts are so cheap for this thing.

 

[scotts90ranger]

FWIW on my '97 like a year and a half ago I got in an accident and replaced the radiator with the NAPA special and it's doing just fine... I'm pretty sure it's the same radiator you would need...

 

[jp52]

went with the only option that Autozone had. Easy installation, only two bolts plus the two screws for the fan shroud. Engine is running at a normal temp and no leaks. Antifreeze wasn't even too nasty.