R u set up to separate the tanks from the core, rod it out, pressure test it, do the repairs and re-solder the tanks back to the core? JY doors, fenders, hoods, etc. are fine but old used cooling system components????.....think I'll pass. +/-$100 get a new, more efficient design OE style rad, probably with a lifetime warranty.

The original Chrysler rad that came out of our XJ is not copper/brass and is not a 2 row.....it's a 1 row 1.25" wide/thick aluminum core with plastic tanks. The AutoZone replacement rad we installed is identical to stock.

 

I'll fix mine on the trail (or side of the road) while you wait for a new lifetime one to be ordered.

 

I prefer to do preventative maintenance on my schedule in my driveway vs repairs on the side of the road. So far (almost 50 years of driving) that plan has worked quite well. If I'm told a radiator has to be ordered, I just pass and call the next parts store that has one in stock. At the time, the local Autozone had 3 in stock. Hopefully we bought our 1st and last XJ rad at the same time.....with a little TLC, a rad should last 15-20 years, no?

 

I went with Mopar, pump, rad and thermostat all at once, I used a couple of after market before and they didnt last long, figured if stock went 100+k miles must be the best one, 35,000 miles sense and no problems here.

 

U did all that and didn't replace the fan clutch? Git 'er done. LOL

 

I would also recommend the CSF HD 3 row radiator, purchased mine from DPG Off-road, installed it on my daily driver over a year ago and its been working great. Along with your water pump, recommend the thermostat and clutch fan, also while the coolants out is a great time to flush the system and heater core if you have not already done so.
Do it right the first time and you should not have any problems with the cooling system.
My 87 XJ with 297K miles runs at a steady 190 F.

 

this is kinda getting off topic so................ 90 2door sport 5 spd 4.0, 431,000mi (bought it with 248,000mi) replaced the first radiator at 404,000 due to a tank blowing off due to -30 temp gelling my antifreeze. "I" had rebuilt that radiator twice in @200,000mi so my maintenance is up to par. now your 50 years trumps my 23. My being resourceful comes from spending about half my summers at Terlingua ranch down in the big bend, when your 92mi from the nearest town, Alpine, you just kinda have to fix it.
We all have our ways to deal with problems, that's what this forum is for to help each other out with a fresh or unthought of perspective to keep the wheels rolling. Or just the plain right way to fix it.

 

All I have to add is......If I break down on the side of the road, I hope u are the one that comes along to help me out of a pickle. U sound like u could be an XJ Macgyver.

Big Bend......what a marvelous place to ride motorcycles.

 

Gotta love the view from panther junction, for that matter santiago peak, or even elephant mountain have excellent views as well......... didn't learn all the fixin on an XJ learned it on old chevys'. from wiring in starter buttons to using a bic pen to fix a fuel leak......learned from a winner my dad tied a VW squareback engine in with bailing wire when it fell out. Drove it like that for months before he sold it that way.