I need to replace the radiator on my 2004 tj Rubicon with 5 spd.Most of the replacement rads i see on Rockauto have the built in trans cooler at the bottom. Im guessing this is for an auto trans. Can I use these rads or not? There's one from DENSO and another from SPECTRA PREMIUM priced right. Any opinions on which to use? I think DENSO makes OEM.
Yes you can use a radiator that says for an automatic if you have a manual transmission. Radiators for automatics just add an extra internal cooler and ports for an automatic's cooler lines.
Try to go Mopar if you can and avoid the cheap store brands. Don't let a store brand's "lifetime warranty" fool you into believing its warranty indicates it has good quality. Its warranty length is no indication of quality.
Alot of companies now only make the rad with the trans cooler instead of making two different rads, but for the water cooling they're the exact same and it will work.
The OE cooling system typically works great. I've read countless discussions on various forums about cooling problems over the last 10+ years. 3rd-party water pumps, thermostats, radiators, and fan clutches, are more likely to be the root of the problem rather than the solution.
Allow me to play devils advocate for a moment. My original rad only lasted 60 000 miles. Doesn't exactly score a point for OEM. Doesn't DENSO make the OEM rad?
I used to work for a parts manufacturer which made high end quality parts. They also had a sub brand priced cheaper but there was NO difference in the two. I just don't want to pay extra if I don't have to. If theres another rad out there which has been used with good results I would like to know about it. I also appreciate the discussion.
If that was normal I might agree, but I consider that an outlier to the low side. One instance does not make a pattern. If it did I could cite the radiator in my current TJ which didn't have to be changed till 161k.
TJ cooling systems seem to be very uniquely balanced to work well together as a whole. Way more instances of "upgrades" disrupting that balance than somehow improving things.
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