Well after a $700 estimate from my local shop, looks like I'm gonna tackle a radiator replacement on my stock '99 XJ 4.0 I6. My OEM radiator is leaking terribly out of the top of the unit. Not terribly afraid to try it, but since I'm living in an apartment complex my work space is limited.

Anyone have any experience with the CSF 2671 3 row unit? I replaced my water pump about 30K miles and 6 years ago, but I'll probably throw a new thermostat and hoses at the same time.

 

A Spectra factory replacement radiator works just fine.

 

Back in November I installed a CSF2670(2 row all metal) in my 1996 XJ, and it is working fine. Mine came from Indonesia, but CSF is located in PA, iirc. Fits perfect. I was able to install it better than the shop that installed the last one.

 

I am with 00t444e on this one.
Been running a Napa radiator, which is just a rebranded Spectra for almost 7 years now.
But there is something appealing about a all metal radiator.
Not just the extra $115 it would have cost me. LOL.

 

Hey where are you located?
Found this today.

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/...066782701.html

 

The first question you should ask yourself is how long do you plan on keeping your truck? If you want to keep it forever like me, maybe look into either a cold case radiator, or summit racing radiator, or even a csf radiator that is all metal, and some may even have a lifetime warranty. They are around 200 - 350, but they may work better than the spectra (no cracked or leaking plastic tanks).

If you plan on keeping it for a little while, get the Spectra, its less than 100 bucks and should work pretty well.

It is your call.

 

I think Mishimoto has a lifetime warranty.

 

Don't get hung up on row count. Design and materials is what counts. It's quite possible to have a good single row cool better than a poor 3 row. Row count actually means very little.

It is good for bragging rights with the uninformed, though. That makes it good for marketing, too.

 

It isnt a terribly hard job, although you do get much quicker each time you do it !
if this is your first time, just be careful to have enough pans and even an old blanket to soak up any spilled coolant, some apartment bodies dont like people working on vehicles
It may have taken 3-4hrs to do it the 1st time, iirc, aircon condensor and hoses make it a bit awkward, if that is fitted in your vehicle. Torx bits are needed

 

Where are the Torx? Maybe I forgot. Did have schmetric allover the place.

Also, if you are not used to trimming new radiator hoses, a utility razor knife will do but it is a bit of an art which end to trim to move the hose into the right spot.

 

I think the torx were used to remove the top radiator support.
If you have an automatic the disconnect tool helps.

 

Of course the 99 may be different, but my 96 didn't need any of that. Just schmetric bolts on the upper radiator support. I did not have to separate the part that is bolted to the upper support with about 4 fasteners, maybe those are Torx?

 

my '96 had 2 different size torx, the one in the middle that holds the locking mechanism, and the 4 others

and for the OP, with an old installation, I had to spray in a lot of degreaser into the "quick disconnects" to flush out all the accumulated scum, in order to allow the tool to depress them far enough to separate

 

Ah.
On mine I left the latch loop thing attached to the support. Just removed the black washered bolts from the support and the nuts on top of the rubber radiator isolators, hoses too of course, and pulled the support with everything attached to it out. The shop that replaced the radiator last time did not attach the condenser to the radiator tabs either, and didn't get the lower dowels into the receivers on the lower support either, so rad came out pretty easy.

No idea what you were using a quick disconnect on, unless that is something for an XJ with an automatic trans.

 

I remember my 96 having torx but not sure where. I believe the quick disconnects are for the trans lines that go to the radiator.