Nor-CalJeeper

I am looking at http://radiatorbarn.com and for my 91 limited they offer a 3 row HD rad or a 2 row all metal rad for it.

Which one do you guys recommend? I know that a 3 row will kill airflow more then a two row, due to the air flowing through a thicker core but is the 3 row worth it?

I am honestly looking more towards the all metal 2 row but would like some feedback from people that have or have seen these rads in action.

Thanks,
Matt

djb383

Some people have reported slightly better cooling with a 3 row, some have not and been disapointed. A 3 row only 1/2" thicker than the OE 1 row, not 3X thicker. However, the price is double. After u subtract the space between the tubes, I believe the 3 row is only 1/4" thicker than OE 1 1/4" rad.

Any new rad will cool better than an old clogged rad, regardless of core thickness/number of rows.

PNW CHEROKEE

How hot are you running now is a big thing. You can make your jeep run to cool. Before upgrading a radiator i would try a 180 degree thermastat. save money on a bigger radiator and buy a trans cooler

djb383

Yes and no on a cooler t-stat. Lower coolant temps December/January.....virtually no effect July/August. T-stat does 1 thing....control minimum temp.

rideordie66

One thing about the three row is that it is thicker and the fan clutch will contact it if you have old motor and tranny mounts(maybe even if you dont.) mine did. the three row will make clearance an issue if your not careful but I have heard of people moving the radiator an inch forward so you dont have that problem. If your not living in an area that gets screaming hot in the summer then just go with the two row and save yourself a bunch of work and peace of mind to know that you arnt gona smack your new radiator and put a hole in it(I dont think they warenty the radiator if it gets hit by the fan clutch(if they do then someone tell me and I can get a third radiator from them for this jeep)).

the other issue that I had was that the first radiator showed up and was bent where the radiator cap goes on. the second was in a box that looked like king kong had jumped all over it. Make sure you get a radiator that is not damaged from UPS because they treat these things like jim carry in the beggining of ace ventura.

radiatorbarn.com was vary helpfull when I told them the problems and there customer service was vary good but if your in a time crunch to get the radiator done then you might want to plan far in advance or pay a little more for something you can buy in person.

Nor-CalJeeper

I understand its not actually 3 times thicker, But the airflow is slower exiting a 3 row then a 1 or 2 row and to me it would seem as if the 3 row is not really an upgrade over the all metal 2 row.

I was just wondering if my thinking is correct or if the 3 row is really the golden ticket people pass it off to be.


As far as my radiator Now my stock cooling system is fine runs between 195 and 210ish nearly always unless im pushin it with the ac on in a 107 degree day.

The reason for the upgrade is because my 91's radiator is the OEM original straight from the dealer. it is starting to get tired now that it's 20 years old and I am about to revamp the cooling system so may as well get a better rad now for just a tad more money.

djb383

The same thing applies to the 2 row.....the tubes are narrow width.....the OE is 1, very wide tube. That's what auto mfgs have gone with for 15-20 years now......less rows but wider tubes. Overall, actual core thickness has changed little. Lots of narrow rows/copper brass construction is old school....modern rad construction is aluminum/plastic.

rideordie66

more rows means more surface area to cool.

djb383

.....and it also means smaller tubes and reduction of coolant flow. Why haven't the mfgs gone to more rows?

rideordie66

the t stat and water pump effect the flow more than the three rows will.

The91XJ

Djb383, you post in EVERY cooling system thread without fail. Just realized it haha.

rideordie66

there gona do it the cheepest way possible and plastic is cheeper than metal and one row is quicker to install than three

rideordie66

and when your cooling system goes bad and the car is junk you then have to buy a new one so why not make the cooling system cheep and the week point of any vehicle.

djb383

I guess you're right, that's why warranties are getting longer as well as vehicles lasting longer. Darn those more efficient, cheaper plastic/aluminum rads....we're doomed.

djb383

Lots of myths/misconceptions to be dispelled. LOL

Never posted an opinion, just facts......I'm sure the OP will get good results from whatever NEW rad even though the 2 row shows to be only 1/16" wider/thicker than OE.