Brand?
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Give me all the info you've got on yours. Mine has been leaking slightly at the side tank and it's time for a new one. I've seen many good reviews of specifically this rad from eBay.


Show me what you've got!

 

I had a CSF 3-row Copper-Brass that was very well built and took a heck of a beating (including being hit by the fan clutch after the driver's side motor mount broke), unfortunately I ended up putting a screwdriver through if by accident (slipped) a couple weeks ago, it likely could have been repaired, but I opted to replace it. I ended up just getting a standard single row AL/Plastic Spectra Premium which is also looks well built (but not a "heavy-duty" as the CSF), cooling wise they are pretty similar, if anything the single row AL rad cools a little better (though I have never had overheat issues with either) and being thinner you likely don't have to worry about it being hit with the fan clutch (though the plastic tanks may be more likely to fail if heavily abused off-road).


Honestly I could recommend either, it just depends what you're looking for and what you want to spend, that being said I'm not sure I could justify spending twice the price for the 3-row CSF again though, while it is a good rad it really doesn't offer much if any better cooling than a stock style rad (at least a new one that isn't plugged with crap and has a ton of bent fins, just about anything will likely cool much better than a 14+ year old OE rad), it may be a little more durable, but given the price difference even if it lasts twice as long you will only break even.

 

If you use a radiator that is too thick, you run the risk of the fan striking it and ruining it. This can happen if your motor mounts are weak or the fan blades are bent.

I will be using my stock radiator until I find out it can't handle the Phx, Arizona heat.

 

I'm running the CSF three row radiator and the full Brown Dog kit. I'm not worried about my motor moving.

I went with the CSF because I had gone through several of those plastic tank radiators and was tired of replacing them. I only have a few thousand miles on it, so jury's still out on whether it was the right move. But if it lasts longer, I don't see it as spending more money, because I would be spending more on multiple crappy plastic radiator replacements.

 

CSF 3 row radiator and dirt bound off road fan set up. Along with new motor mounts. Doesn't get above 205 while sitting still for 30 mins.

 

I bought two of the basic ones from Autozone. Lifetime warranty and short distance to go to take them back if there is a problem. No problems with either one to date. I believe they were like $112.00.

 

Factory plastic radiator.

 

My 97 is still running its original radiator. My 96's had its die a couple years ago, and I put a BTR in it's place. Both have done equally well at keeping things cooled.

 

Most of the aluminum radiators are junk and are plagued with leaks unless you buy a good brand like in the $1k range, you can read all the posts about them here as well as the other off road sites.


My son and I both run ones from AutoZone under a $100 and works fine zero problems.

 

2 row from NAPA. Works great, driven hard.
Compared to one and two rows, 3 row radiators can restrict coolant flow and clog easier with sediment/particles due to the smaller passages. Also has less cumulative airflow over passages because they have reduced surface area for air to pass through and remove heat. But they still work..