Radiator choices

ruffneck7.3 · Nov 17, 2020

I'm sure this has been beat to death, but my search didn't really turn up much for my question..

Which is, is there an aftermarket radiator worth going to? I'm gonna have to replace mine soon because of damage in the center, I'm not having any issues with overheating
, just wondering if there is actually one worth upgrading to is all.. I would prefer an all aluminum unit, but if none are worth the price, stocker is fine for me..

CJunkie · Nov 17, 2020

Mishimoto is kinda spendy, but a lot of the cheap units have issues with pinholes.

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Iso-baric · Nov 17, 2020

I hate most Mishimoto products, but their radiator was worth every penny.

Prices have come down considerably in the past few years, and $400 seems reasonable for all aluminum with a lifetime warranty.

Lt.Dan · Nov 17, 2020

Mishimoto is kind of the only name brand who makes one for us, but I too do not like them as a company. I cannot speak for the quality of the 7.3 radiator itself though.

KBMKVIII · Nov 19, 2020

I have had the Mishimoto on mine for maybe 5 years now.
Still looks and works like new.
Had to replace the oring in the drain but that was bc it dried up from sitting dry for two years.
I got a deal on mine back then and the prices are even lower now.
I would buy again

ruffneck7.3 · Nov 23, 2020

Thanks for all the responses! Is the $400 radiator for super duty or obs trucks? I have an 01..

CJunkie · Nov 23, 2020

No the Super duty one is close to $800

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ruffneck7.3 · Nov 28, 2020

Ok, that's what I thought.. I'll have to think about it, because like I said, I don't really have cooling issues right now, other than my 203 thermostat is a little too warm on 90° days with the ac on lol.. I think I'll switch to a 180 thermostat during the hot summer, and keep the 203 the rest of the year..

Thanks for the response!

Lt.Dan · Nov 28, 2020

I've run the 203, 195, and now a 180*, and I gotta say, my heater is still PLENTY hot enough for 30* days. I wouldnt waste your time swapping out thermostats twice a year.

ruffneck7.3 · Nov 30, 2020

The reason I want the 203 is because if I take it to north Dakota, which is where I work, it often gets to -30 lol.. and right now I have a thermostat housing I can't get off, so it will help prevent that from happening again.. at least that's how my little brain works lol

lincolnlocker · Dec 4, 2020

ruffneck7.3 said:
The reason I want the 203 is because if I take it to north Dakota, which is where I work, it often gets to -30 lol.. and right now I have a thermostat housing I can't get off, so it will help prevent that from happening again.. at least that's how my little brain works lol

Just put a couple ball valves in your heater core lines to shut the flow off during the summer and run whatever thermostat you want for winter purposes. I had that in my dually forever. Put them in a couple log trucks also. Ice cold AC.

live life full throttle

KBMKVIII · Dec 4, 2020

lincolnlocker said:
Just put a couple ball valves in your heater core lines to shut the flow off during the summer and run whatever thermostat you want for winter purposes. I had that in my dually forever. Put them in a couple log trucks also. Ice cold AC.

live life full throttle

Fun fact, Jake is typing from the ****ter currently

lincolnlocker · Dec 4, 2020

KBMKVIII said:
Fun fact, Jake is typing from the ****ter currently

Lmfao!! Yep.. often....

live life full throttle

OBS-Addiction97 · Dec 6, 2020

lincolnlocker said:
Just put a couple ball valves in your heater core lines to shut the flow off during the summer and run whatever thermostat you want for winter purposes. I had that in my dually forever. Put them in a couple log trucks also. Ice cold AC.

live life full throttle

What brand shut off valves do you use? I’ve read sometime quality can be An issue with valves.

lincolnlocker · Dec 6, 2020

OBS-Addiction97 said:
What brand shut off valves do you use? I’ve read sometime quality can be An issue with valves.

Ummm, never had an issue with whatever home depot sells. Lol

live life full throttle

ruffneck7.3 · Dec 9, 2020

I don't have an issue with the ac not being cold from coolant temp, more of the fan runs a lot more often than I would like it to, or did before I went to the 203 lol..

I think I'll do the ball valves though, that's a good idea for the summer..I run good coolant, delo/cat elc, so I'm not super worried about corrosion, but I agree, almost any brass ball valve should give you a long time of corrosion free use.. one trick if you use a ball valve, use red loctite on the nut that holds the handle on, otherwise you'll go to use it and the handle will have rattled off