Need a bigger radiator...

[Begle1]

I'm officially moved to Phoenix now...

Things I've noticed on the ride over here: when it's 108 degrees outside, going 95 MPH at 3100 RPM and 1200 degree EGT, the truck gets hot in a hurry. On the "water temp" gauge they have the 4 dashs, and I could get the needle from half-way between the middle two dashes to half-way between last two dashes in about 5 minutes of pegged pyro. The tranny doesn't gain any temperature just crusing on flats, but it picks up 15 degrees accelerating up an on-ramp and then doesn't cool down as long as I'm moving.

I've been holding off plumbing the A/C condensor into the tranny coolers because, back in California, I could never get the temperature above 200 degrees unless I was slipping and sliding. Up the mountain ranges between Norco and Phoenix I hit 216, and cruised for a couple hours at 200-205. So I figure that the condensor would help a bunch.

What do I do for the radiator, though? Isn't it really common to swap in 91.5-93 "crossflow" radiator? Is that a bolt-in operation?
Would I be able to use a 91.5-93 radiator out of any full sized Dodge, or does it need to be Diesel?
Would I be any better off with another brand/ make of radiator?

What would be the best place to put a thermocouple into my engine coolant?

[BEARKILLER]

Before wasting money on one of those peeny-weeny Dodge sized radiators, look into possibly using the monster that goes in a 1985 F-350 Ford Diesel.

No big deal to hook this radiator to a Cummins, as I have one in my truck.

These radiators are HUGE, dwarfing the ones in the Dodge trucks that we have.

I haul HEAVY and have yet to see the temperature gauge above 180*.

I don't think it would be too much trouble to get this big boy in place of the Dodge unit.

[Begle1]

The inlet-outlets are the same size I take it?

I would just go scouting in the junkyard, but the lows are above 100 degrees here... I haven't acclimated yet...

[BEARKILLER]

The inlet-outlets are the same size I take it?

Here are the specifics and the very radiator that I have:

http://www.partsamerica.com/productdeta ... 31&PTSet=A

The inlets/outlets measure the same.

One minor catch is that the bottom port is on the left; whereas, the Dodge is on the right.

This is easily cured by the use of a 90* bend hose connected to a section of 2-inch tube, then connected to the stock 1st Gen. hose.

Or, a good radiator shop can move that port to the other side.

[gomerpile]

well other than the inlet ports, is there anything fab work required, or is it direct bolt in?

[BEARKILLER]

well other than the inlet ports, is there anything fab work required, or is it direct bolt in?

I doubt it would just fall in place; that is why we have drills, torches, welders, and big hammers.

Just watch a few episodes of Mad Max and that should be education enough to accomplish the task.