I'm going on an 11 hour long road trip that could be followed by a very long wait on the interstate in the middle of Tennessee next month. (Going to Bonnaroo!) It's going to be hot, and I plan on taking my jeep. It's my daily driver and I don't have any problems with it from day to day. Within the last year I've replaced several parts; upper and lower hoses, water pump, thermostat, etc. My jeep will hit the 200,000 mile mark while I'm on the trip. I'm not sure when or if the radiator has been replaced, but it's been flushed at least twice in the last year, one time was a month ago. I know I'm going to replace the u joints in my d/s, but I'm wondering if I should do the radiator just to be safe. What you you guys do in this situation?

 

if you can buy an extra one for back up on the trip. My wife and I took a trip about a year ago and I knew my radiator was old and we just left... 1 hr 45 mins into the trip in the middle of nowhere. Loud burst and steam from the hood. The top hose housing on my radiator cracked. So I make sure to take an extra from now on lol

Bonnaroo is actually being held like 30 mins from my house, My uncle owns a couple thousand acres in Manchester I'm gonna see about wheelin down there when bonnaroo comes around Can't wait for it!

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I won't have very much room left after packing since it's 4 days long, so I guess the best thing to do is just replace the radiator before I go. Is there anything else that I should inspect/clean/replace? My main concern is overheating while waiting in line.

 

If you are replacing the radiator I would go ahead and replace the thermostat being a $6 part. Check to make sure your hoses arn't dry rotted. Other then that you should be good to go.

 

If you have the money I'd replace the radiator. If not I'd check the brakes pads, rotors, calipers and rear wheel cylinders. And the A/C its going to be hot. I'd also change windshield wipers and check fluid. Change the oil if it will go over on the trip. Spark plugs and wires? Air Filter? Check tire pressure and spare tire air pressure. All the tire jack parts(are they there somewhere?) Good luck.

 

Just do a once over as long as your clutch fan and electric fan are working your good to go!

 

Have you been running Hot or Overheating? Why was the radiator serviced twice last year? If every has been good for DD, I'd do a good inspection, tune-up, full fluid change. Pack the Jeep and Go.

 

A new radiator is between $100 and $200, depending on what you buy.

I'd replace it. That flushing you did is fine for "flow", but if a leak starts and you have an overheat and possibly a tow, you're going to wish you had replaced that radiator.

You know the radiator is old; get it out of there. Also replace the radiator cap and the heater hoses (only a couple of them). That way, you can have full confidence in your cooling system. And isn't that what you want?

 

Lol I get the same way. I start wondering about everything on the ol heep If I have to drive it on a long road trip

 

WELL worth it.

Self experience mine crapped out in the middle of literally nowhere. I had a cooler of waters and melting ice I kept putting in my Jeep to get me to town. Almost 45 mins to the closest town and it was topping 90+ outside. It SUCKED lol

 

If you're going to buy a new radiator, spend the extra $ for a good, all metal one. Wen mine started leaking several years ago, the local garage replaced it with a cheap plastic one. I'll replace it myself this year, hopefully, before it fails.

 

Once when the upper radiator hose dry rotted, and once when I replaced the water pump.

Unfortunately my jeep doesn't have a/c, but all 4 windows roll down!

 

Get a "failsafe" thermostat and bring extra water. Check your diff. fluids.

 

Good thing is there's a lot of people on this forum from east TN

 

Better that it doesn't. This is just my experience with GM trucks, but my dad's AC pulley has seized 3 or 4 times in his GMC pickup.