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modain
GenIII
 
8/16/2006
02:05:00
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 Subject: Question About Changing My Radiator
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Message:
OK, everytime I tow my toyhauler with my QC I have to fight the overheat game (just under the red zone) going up hills if the ambient temperature is anything near hot. When on level ground it's fine, and it returns to normal when no longer pressing hard up a hill. I looked into the details of my cooling tonight and found this shocking situation.
My Dak QC has the "so called" max cooling radiator, p/n 52028917AD. It's actually a wimpy radiator: 1" thick with a single row core. It's a wide row, but it's still 1 row. My truck has a manual tranny so there is no provision for a tranny cooler in the side tank. Crazy thing is, this is the same radiator used for an I4, V6, or V8 engine in my (and other) model year.
My Durango has the max cooling radiator, p/n 52028818AD. It's 1.5" thick with two rows in the core. The H and W dimensions of both radiators are the same. This is the same radiator used in the Dakota and Durango with either V8 or V6 engines using an automatic tranny.
Now that I have bored you with the details, here is the point. I'm thinking, why don't I just put the 52028818AD radiator (won't be using the auto tranny cooling hookups) into my Dakota and (hopefully) say good-bye to my heat issue.
Before I embark on that I'd like to know if there are any other pieces that need to be replaced, or could it be as simple as remove the small radiator and install the bigger one?
What's your left foot doing?
=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open
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parts manager
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2006
10:23:55
|  RE: Question About Changing My Radiator
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modain the 818 rad would be in your Dak if you had an auto tranny both mount the same just slide in the new rad and cool off.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2006
11:17:05
| RE: Question About Changing My Radiator
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Yes, it really is that simple. I always change hoses and thermostat at the same time.
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modain
GenIII
8/27/2006
03:44:04
|  RE: Question About Changing My Radiator
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Message:
OK, radiator is in. Let me tell you, the procedure desribed in the FSM is nowhere complete compared to what I went through. The job wasn't bad, and I finished up about two hours after I started. OK three, but I was moving slow. :-)
Here is the radiator (behind the A/C condenser) before I tore into it. Complete with bugs and crap...
After taking off the shroud and integrated tanks I had to unbolt the electric fan and bottom shroud. It was too hard to figure out how to disconnect the fan's electrical connection so I just left it in (pushed out of the way) along with the shroud's bottom piece. It's held on with two bolts: the driver's side is easily reached from the top, I had to go from underneath to get the passenger side bolt out. I then had to remove that diagonal support piece. The driver's side bolt (at the bottom) is behind the battery box support. Another trip underneath...
Here it is disemboweled...
Both radiators are facing each other (front-to-front). Notice where the the new one is filled out, and the factory one is not filling out the side tank?
It's all back together (except for the rubber flap). Oooh, nice and shinny! Notice how beat up the condenser gets from all that road debris? You can also see where the crosshairs of the grille shield it from pelting.
I took it for a good test drive, the temperature was 95*. Streets, freeway, with A/C on: the temp guage rode about 1/3 up the normal scale. Just a little bit lower than its normal spot before. Pretty good. Next weekend will tell me if this has solved my cooling problem.
Looking back on it (and during) parts of it would have been easier with the front bumper assembly removed. With it on it was cramped getting to the bolts that hold the A/C condenser to the bottom mounts on the radiator. I have small hands (size M gloves) so it was doable. If you have large hands you'd probably need to take the bumper off. If it were off I could have more room moving the condenser out of the way.
The FSM says once the top bolts are removed and the condenser is unbolted just slide the radiator out. It's not gonna happen without the top support removed.
This job can be done by yourself if you are familiar and experienced with it. I needed another pair of hands occassionaly, my son helped me holding stuff out of the when sliding the radiator out and back in.
What's your left foot doing?
=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open
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Rustywrenches
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/27/2006
11:08:36
| RE: Question About Changing My Radiator
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Message:
Looks like a good idea! One word of advice: Clean all the debris from the A/C condensor. You would be amazed how much that debris blocks air from the radiator. I cut a piece of plastic window screen (when I rescreened the patio door)for mine to allow the bugs to impale themselves on the screen making it easy to blast off each time I wash the truck.
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modain
GenIII
8/27/2006
14:11:36
| RE: Question About Changing My Radiator
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Message:
I forgot to mention that while the radiator was out I did give it a reverse flow water blast. A lot of junk came out. A pressure washer would have been much better, though.
The screen is a good idea. I'll have to do that. Thanks.
What's your left foot doing?
=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open
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modain
GenIII
9/05/2006
21:35:01
|  RE: Question About Changing My Radiator
IP: Logged
Message:
Problem solved! See my new post coming shortly...
What's your left foot doing?
=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open
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