DieselDaze

I'm assuming its OEM has the plastic side... Jeeps been sitting two years and I finally have the time to get it back on the road.. painted it charged the battery took it around the block a couple times, let it idle in the driveway for a little while... temp rose maybe to 230 but apparently it didn't appear to have any coolant in it... not sure what happened there but after I heard it POP and fizzle, I shut it down and filled the rad to realize it was bone dry, was hoping it was just the hose but it appears from what I can see without removal its the side....

I'm wondering where a good place to find a radiator (type) that's a proven method to work well in the 1997 Cherokee Country 4x4.

thanks...

OldTires

So it didn't have coolant before or after it went pop?

Hopefully nothing bad happened to the engine.

I installed the Spectra Radiator (around $70) last year. Its been working fine since.

Good luck.

DieselDaze

apparently no coolant before it 'popped' but after turning it off and waiting a while I cycled water through it, like 2-3 gallons... not sure why it didn't have coolant in it, nothing has leaked out and has me wondering if before I parked it in garage someone tried to sabotage it at my sis in laws where I had it parked.... which was only a 4 mile drive..... has me boggled to say the least, didn't think it was something I'd have to check.... temps seemed to be fine but little to no coolant came out when it happened.....

DieselDaze

looking locally and prices fluctuate bigtime, from 120-$4 to $500 ... !!!

EDIT: will have to call around tomorrow... this sucks bigtime as my next step was to install my full leaf lift that's been sitting in the back of the truck the last couple years.

anyone with some more proper links or recommendations.....

btw, I'd expect to be in the tard section by now but can't view it as I'm no longer a privileged member

rgr4475

I went with NAPA. $100 and no problems. Others use the autozone radiator for around the same price.

ubipa

When I replace my cyl head ~10y ago, I sprung to put a all copper/brass rad. It lasted about 7-8y then eroded at the lower tank seam on the passenger side. Pretty annoying. I would just go with a cheap Napa and feel the freedom to replace liberally

Fred/N0AZZ

AutoZone under $100 with lifetime warranty my son and I both have them and they work very well. You might consider a refresh of the whole cooling system water pump, fan clutch, thermostat, hose's, flush heater core. I think all these need to be replaced being it was parked for several years.

t.mcginley.jr

There's nothing wrong with plastic radiator tanks, every car since the mid-90's pretty much uses them without issue. After 10-15 years they needs to be replaced, same as anything else. As these guys have said, you should be fine using any parts store one, find the cheapest you can get.

Also, there's RockAuto.com they sell all parts at a discount. For example a radiator is ~80 shipped on there, you would just have to wait a few days to get it.

DieselDaze

thanks guys.... I have called all the locals and looks like they're all the same price $102 +tax etc...

my question now is it worth an extra $20 to get an all aluminum 3 core rad online??

I found rads on ebay from AM Auto but they don't have the manufactures name for like $56 Shipped!! really tempting but..... let me research some reviews on them any thoughts on them??

I'd like to have it installed today, but I can wait no problem... Take it out today and let it sit a few more days won't hurt its feelings, been there for over 2 yrs now...

EDIT: BTW, when all this happened the rad cap was cool and engine didn't appear over heated or anything, very bizarre.....

kgm

You get what you pay for.

I put a NAPA one in recently and it works fine.

DieselDaze

went ahead with the spectra online for $77 shipped.... going to be $120 with tax locally for the exact unit so I saved a few coins and have no prob waiting a few days.... spend the extra money on an oil change (even though it was fresh 2 yrs ago), and all new antifreeze.... plus I need to do my final cycle of tranny fluid I've been doing way back when, drain 1/3 out add 1/3 new, drive 1k miles rinse and repeat... I should be to the point where its all new for the most part.... in my previous experience in life this eliminates seals leaking from the detergent from a complete tranny flush and fill.... no bueno...