Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) After Market Radiator

[ChrisOlson]

Hello TDR brothers and sisters



I have been off the grid for a while

I am back up and on line again



After much nashing of teeth and back and forth and unexpected monetary out put I have decided to keep my 99 CTD for a while longer, as opposed to truck payments I have decided to up grade some of my weak points with the truck that I have not already dealt with.



Aftermarket Radiator.

after pulling in hot weather and my truck running hotter than normal I am going to pull my Radiator and completley clean the exterior. should this not be the case I have been expolring the idea of an after Market radiator.

SO comments opnions and suggestions are welcome.



Secondly Stainless steel brake lines.

I live in a cold very wet salty air environment after reading posts of popped brake lines i have decided to do to things this winter new Stainless brake lines and try to improve my rear braking ie disc brake conversion and or some type of drum upgrade or a replacement rear axel with factory disc brakes.



thank you in advance



Chris Olson

 

[Mishkaya]

Hello TDR brothers and sisters



I have been off the grid for a while

I am back up and on line again



After much nashing of teeth and back and forth and unexpected monetary out put I have decided to keep my 99 CTD for a while longer, as opposed to truck payments I have decided to up grade some of my weak points with the truck that I have not already dealt with.



Aftermarket Radiator.

after pulling in hot weather and my truck running hotter than normal I am going to pull my Radiator and completley clean the exterior. should this not be the case I have been expolring the idea of an after Market radiator.

SO comments opnions and suggestions are welcome.



Secondly Stainless steel brake lines.

I live in a cold very wet salty air environment after reading posts of popped brake lines i have decided to do to things this winter new Stainless brake lines and try to improve my rear braking ie disc brake conversion and or some type of drum upgrade or a replacement rear axel with factory disc brakes.



thank you in advance



Chris Olson

Usually the radiator gets caked with oil coming from the breather bottle. If you can thoroughly clean the radiator, you will probably be good to go. Plenty have installed aftermarket radiators though...

I will be putting stainless steel brake lines on my truck next year as it was originally from Minnesota and the lines are corroded pretty badly. Don't know how involved the install is though.

Have you tried the GM cylinder upgrade on your rear drums? If not, I would recommend starting there. With a good adjustment, I find the drum brakes on my '01 95% as good as the disc brakes on my '02. The major drawback being they need adjusted every few months, but that only takes a few minutes.

I believe you are wise keeping what you have that is paid for, rather than taking on a monthly payment. Good luck.

 

[drag racer]

Since we actually got a nice aluminum radiator OEM in our 99's, my advice would be to clean it thoroughly, have it checked out for leaks (pressure tested), repaired if necessary, and keep it! Can't get those anymore.

The standard aftermarket replacement is a made in "Godknowswhere" heavy metal one. The only aftermarket aluminum one I know of is Griffin P/N 5-594GR-BXX that costs ~$600. I'm sure this is a killer unit if your budget allows.

 

[ChrisOlson]

THANKS FOR THE REPLYS
I will clean it first and maybe A bigger intercooler Might help

Thanks again

 

[Joe Mc]

Chris, Assuming you are removing the radiator to clean it allow me to share my experiences with doing mine several times. Lay flat on the ground with whichever side is dirtiest down, spray a good degreaser into the fins and allow a 5 min or so soak. With a hose and spray handle spray it out real good, let it drain out, flip it onto the other side and repeat. If any of the fins are bent or flattened you can get a fin comb at any auto parts store or even a plumbing supply should have them. Straighten out the fins. Now for the inside, lay radiator flat on the ground with the hose necks facing up, radiator cap on and pick a side to fill it up until water runs out of the other hose neck. Tilt the radiator up so water runs out of one side hose neck watching for chunks of rubber - tell tale of the inside of your hoses going bad. Repeat fill-up but start at the opposite side as the first time. Then after draining, remove the rad cap and spray water in the fill neck drain and repeat. It should be nice and clean inside and out at this point. Before reinstalling check the back side of the inter-cooler for dirt and oil residue. It's easy enough to clean the inter-cooler in place, but a real pain if you wish to remove it - have to take the bumper off - it will not slide into the engine compartment - I've tried everything - it can only be removed from the front and the bumper must come off to remove. I'd only remove the inter-cooler if I was certain it was oiled up inside and "had" to be solvent cleaned inside, or if I was going to install an after-market unit.

Good luck and have fun.