2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission High Capacity Radiator?

[benze]

The coolant temperature on my '97 Quad Cab 2500 can get uncomfortably high on a hot day, going up a long grade, pulling my 25 ft trailer. Does anyone make a higher capacity radiator for these trucks? Note: I am running mods by Piers to make 325 rwhp through a DTT auto transmission, and the before-turbo EGTs don't get above 1250.

 

[WestTN]

If you have the drip bottle on the front of the engine, you probably need to clean the outside of the radiator. I pull a 29 ft trailer and have relocated the bottle and cleaned the radiator exterior when I began to have heating problems. Now it never gets hotter than ~200 degF and 1100 degF in 100+ weather even when using the Smarty.

 

[benze]

The drip bottle is on the rear on a '97

 

[MFalkinham]

Regardless where the drip bottle is, it's a good idea to pull the radiator every 5 years or so and clean it with a garden hose. While I had the radiator out for the KDP fix I sprayed some degreaser on the fins and followed it up with a moderate water spray. I just couldn't believe the amount of dirt and debris that were lodged in the fins. . There was also some gunk inside of the radiator that I flushed out.

 

[IanF]

I just pulled the radiator out of my truck because it was starting to leak. Turns out the radiator is totally shot - whole sections of fins missing between the core tubes. The truck didn't overheat during the drive home from the Ebay seller, but that was also back in Feb. If the trip had occured during July, it might have been another story...



A new one was $275 from a local radiator shop, which seems quite reasonable considering how massive the thing is... I somehow doubt it is undersized for anything the truck can do. I would make sure your cooling system is functioning properly before looking for upgrades.

 

[george]

The coolant temperature on my '97 Quad Cab 2500 can get uncomfortably high on a hot day, going up a long grade, pulling my 25 ft trailer. Does anyone make a higher capacity radiator for these trucks? Note: I am running mods by Piers to make 325 rwhp through a DTT auto transmission, and the before-turbo EGTs don't get above 1250.

I experience the same thing, I can hit 73 # boost and 1250 EGT. When going up hill towing the 5er the temp gauge climbs, last year I put a new radiator on, an aluminum one, I was told it cools about 30% better. Didn't make much difference if any. Sometimes I think it's better to just leave the truck stock, but how much fun is that? We start putting more fuel to these things and create more heat.