Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
On a 97, you DO NOT need to remove the cross member above the radiator. it won't really help with anything.
1) Disconnect the batteries (it can be done without doing this, but be very careful if you take don't)
2) Drain the coolant using the petcock on the bottom drivers side (petcock can be a real PITA)
3) Remove upper and lower radiator hoses (don't lay under the lower one, or you will get wet).
4) Disconnect the wires for the w/w reservoir and the hose. . Find something to plug the hose at the bottom, or you will lose all your w/w fluid
5) Remove the w/w reservoir. As was mentioned, there are two buttons on the backside of the w/w reservoir that fit into two holes in the fan shroud. There is also a lock tab at the bottom of the reservoir. Jam a fat screwdriver in between the buttons and the reservoir, then use a small screwdriver top undo the locktab and slide the reservoir up and out
6) Disconnect the wire to the passenger side battery and move it out of the way (and any other wires that may go across the top of the radiator - it may be easier to pull the passengers side head light bulb & it's ground wire to do this)
7) Disconnect the overflow hose and remove radiator reservoir the same way as the w/w reservoir
8) Remove the 4 bolts holding the fan shroud. There are 2 on each side at the outer edges.
9) Move fan shroud back onto the fan,and tie it off somehow so it os not in the way of removing the radiator (if you have the tools to remove the fan, it will be much easier, but it isn't really necessary)
10) Remove the 2 bolts holding the radiator in. They are a the top corners, and they are long suckers. There are none at the bottom, just some projections that fit into hole inthe support frame.
11) CAREFULLY remove the radiator. It may require some working to get it out.
12) installation is the reverse (steps 11 - 1)
If you don't have the correct tool to remove the factory hose clamps, recommend a medium size pair of channel locks to get them loose.
I also DO NOT recommend putting regular hose clamps on in their place. the factory clamps are spring steel, and will keep the hose tight, winter or summer. A regular screw type hose clamp will allow the hose to leak when winter gets here, unless you tighten it up (or unless you tightened it up wayyy to much to begin with).
I have regular screw type clamps on my other vehicles, and when winter gets here, I have small leaks until I tighten the clamps up again. Not on the CTD with the factory clamps still on it.
Another thing I did when I replaced my radiator... I flushed the engine out. Took the garden hose, wrapped an old sock arodun it, and put it inthe lower hose with a clamp. turned it on, and ran the engine that way until I got clear water out of the upper hose (yeah, it was kinda messy), then turn off the engine & remove the garden hose. This way, the block is full of water, and any that drains out when you remove the hose will be replaced with new antifreeze so you will have an easier time getting the correct 50/50 mix.
Yeah, I know it isn't distilled water, but I have never used distilled water in any of my vehicles.
1) Disconnect the batteries (it can be done without doing this, but be very careful if you take don't)
2) Drain the coolant using the petcock on the bottom drivers side (petcock can be a real PITA)
3) Remove upper and lower radiator hoses (don't lay under the lower one, or you will get wet).
4) Disconnect the wires for the w/w reservoir and the hose. . Find something to plug the hose at the bottom, or you will lose all your w/w fluid
5) Remove the w/w reservoir. As was mentioned, there are two buttons on the backside of the w/w reservoir that fit into two holes in the fan shroud. There is also a lock tab at the bottom of the reservoir. Jam a fat screwdriver in between the buttons and the reservoir, then use a small screwdriver top undo the locktab and slide the reservoir up and out
6) Disconnect the wire to the passenger side battery and move it out of the way (and any other wires that may go across the top of the radiator - it may be easier to pull the passengers side head light bulb & it's ground wire to do this)
7) Disconnect the overflow hose and remove radiator reservoir the same way as the w/w reservoir
8) Remove the 4 bolts holding the fan shroud. There are 2 on each side at the outer edges.
9) Move fan shroud back onto the fan,and tie it off somehow so it os not in the way of removing the radiator (if you have the tools to remove the fan, it will be much easier, but it isn't really necessary)
10) Remove the 2 bolts holding the radiator in. They are a the top corners, and they are long suckers. There are none at the bottom, just some projections that fit into hole inthe support frame.
11) CAREFULLY remove the radiator. It may require some working to get it out.
12) installation is the reverse (steps 11 - 1)
If you don't have the correct tool to remove the factory hose clamps, recommend a medium size pair of channel locks to get them loose.
I also DO NOT recommend putting regular hose clamps on in their place. the factory clamps are spring steel, and will keep the hose tight, winter or summer. A regular screw type hose clamp will allow the hose to leak when winter gets here, unless you tighten it up (or unless you tightened it up wayyy to much to begin with).
I have regular screw type clamps on my other vehicles, and when winter gets here, I have small leaks until I tighten the clamps up again. Not on the CTD with the factory clamps still on it.
Another thing I did when I replaced my radiator... I flushed the engine out. Took the garden hose, wrapped an old sock arodun it, and put it inthe lower hose with a clamp. turned it on, and ran the engine that way until I got clear water out of the upper hose (yeah, it was kinda messy), then turn off the engine & remove the garden hose. This way, the block is full of water, and any that drains out when you remove the hose will be replaced with new antifreeze so you will have an easier time getting the correct 50/50 mix.
Yeah, I know it isn't distilled water, but I have never used distilled water in any of my vehicles.
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