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Need Radiator

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Hard start issues

2006 odometer stoppage

Lordsman

TDR MEMBER
Well my 2005 Cummins radiator is leaking and time for a new one. So many choices. Any recommendations on one with a good build quality? TIA
 
I bought one off Rock Auto for my 04 (OE replacement part), had zero issues with it.. I had a manual TM though so no AT cooler or anything.
 
I bought a GPD radiator last year. Spectra is the other common replacement radiator. I was very happy with the GPD unit. The GPD radiator has a core that is about a 1/4 inch thinner than mine was, but this was because the two rows of tubes in my original were about 3/16 apart and the GPD has one very wide tube. If you figure the surface area of a wide tube vs the two narrow ones, its about the same. This was a win for me as the shroud on the '03-early '04 touches the radiator at one point down low and that is where it rubbed a hole thru it. Shroud does not touch the new radiator core.

Charles
 
Not a long time ago I did the research on mine and I came up with I'd buy factory for this essential part.
All the alternatives have very mixed reviews about longevity and build quality in general, including the mighty Mishimoto.

But I got the silicon hoses from Mishi, they are top notch and much better then the available inferior rubber hoses that deteriorate within a short time.

So, go factory and enjoy. They aren't badly expensive.
 
I bought one off Rock Auto for my 04 (OE replacement part), had zero issues with it.. I had a manual TM though so no AT cooler or anything.

Gen3 has generally no transmission cooler integrated, I don't know with which generation they went away with that. The 24v also had a separate unit left of the radiator.
 
I checked last year and factory radiator was discontinued.

Same radiator fits all 2003-2009 3rd gen Cummins, 5.9 and 6.7

Just looked on Mopar Parts Giant, yep, discontinued.

Charles
 
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NOS is out there, but probably few and far between. It could be the only one they have.

In my case, I'm happier with what I have, since I don't have the shroud rubbing a hole in the radiator. (peculiar to the 2003-2004 shroud.)

Charles

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Interesting choices, and I'll look at them all. I did check Geno's and the GPD-2711C are on liquidation sale for $174.95. Any comments on that one? Charles is that what you bought?
 
I did not buy from Genos's, I seem to recall that they were out at the time, but in May of '23 I ordered a GPD 2711C from Rock Auto for $173.79 plus shipping. I thought I asked about which radiators were best on this board, but find no discussion. I did call Genos, and I think that is where the decision to get a GPD came from, not sure now, a year later I don't recall.....

Currently that radiator is $162.79 from Rock Auto, but their shipping tends to run high, so Geno's would certainly be a good choice. 3rd gens are old enough now that businesses are moving on to more recent stuff, but I think the 3rd gen is the best looking, best functioning of the RAMS to come along in a long time, and much improved over 2ed gen, especially the common rail injection.

Unless the darn thing starts leaking in the next several years, I'm quite happy with the GPD. It is made in Taiwan which is light years ahead of the usual China crap (though I get surprised once in a while when something comes from China that is super nice and well made, but that isn't often) I have on several occasions asked a dealer to check their B2B system for discontinued or obsolete parts, and have bought several items such as an OEM headlight switch with the pull on fog light function, from a dealer who had one remaining in stock although discontinued by Chrysler. I probably didn't think to check on the radiator. Its real hard to justify twice the money. The outfit Ozy linked to specializes in buying up NOS parts from dealers cleaning out inventories and dealers going out of business. A lot of that happened in 2008-2009 during the economic debacle, which coincides with the end of the Gen 3 model run. When I have a dealer give me a print out of stocking dealers from their B2B system nowdays its almost always an overstock company. No good business hangs onto discontinued stuff any more, as they have to pay inventory taxes on something that might never sell.

In 2008 when Chrysler made the decision to cut dealers, I saw a list of them, and all but one of their woman owned dealers were cut, including the highest selling dealership in the state of Michigan. Made me go Hummmm....

I documented my radiator installation in this thread..... https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/radiator-replacement-a-real-pita.273884/

Some other discussion and questions I had here.... https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/sixty-dollar-question-coolant-bottles.273842/

Charles
 
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Looked for another OEM but couldn't access one . Mishimoto pretty expensive. I bought the GPD radiator from Geno's. Shipping was $60. Hope it arrives in good shape. Thanks for the input gentlemen!
 
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