Ebay all-aluminum radiators?

[Johnnymac2k6]

Anyone tried one of these?

A stuck thermostat caused a unsourcable leak in my plastic tanked oem rad.

Always preferred welded aluminum tanks.
Any experience?

CH3010302 New All Aluminum Radiator OEM# 55056682AB | eBay

 

[Ajwalk2008]

Following


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[Johnnymac2k6]

Sent them a message to ensure oem fitment. I will probably get one and report back. Cant be any "cheaper built" than the slew of $80 units on rock auto. I have never liked plastic tanked radiators although I know thats the norm these days on the oems

 

[usaf2006]

It doesn't look terrible for the price lol

 

[Johnnymac2k6]

only thing sketchy is the "1-year warranty" Not that i'd ever depend on an ebay seller to honor a warranty.lol...

but if the el-cheapo $52 versions offer a lifetime...why can't a fully wended, all aluminum, version?

2480 RADIATOR FOR DODGE FITS PICKUP RAM1500 RAM2500 3.7 4.7 5.7 5.9 V6 V8

 

[WilliamS]

Not to push the wrong buttons here, but has anyone had heat issues with a stock radiator. In many cases we always want better, but there are times where it was made right and some things shouldn't be aftermarket. If you have say forced induction or a severe towing case I would look to a larger radiator, but still how long did the factory one last you?

 

[Johnnymac2k6]

Not to push the wrong buttons here, but has anyone had heat issues with a stock radiator. In many cases we always want better, but there are times where it was made right and some things shouldn't be aftermarket. If you have say forced induction or a severe towing case I would look to a larger radiator, but still how long did the factory one last you?

It's still a single core radiator. Just one with welded tanks. It's not exactly ordering a 4 core universal fit unit just to push more water around.

you're not pushing my buttons at all...
My though process goes as follows.

OEM=overprinced and frankly.."not cool" lol

Aftermarket is anywhere from $50 to $150 for an oem type. or $800 for some ridiculous dual core/electric fan monster that i agree is overkill. both ends of that spectrum are scary.

And this little guy...seemed like a neat replacement eliminating the plastic tanks.

 

[WilliamS]

Makes sense.

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[usaf2006]

Too bad you can't splice in a Cummins aluminum rad. Just to be extra cool!

 

[Johnnymac2k6]

Too bad you can't splice in a Cummins aluminum rad. Just to be extra cool!

My truck doesn't have Tow Mirrors...so i don't think it'd be a bolt in

 

[usaf2006]

Got me there...

 

[Johnnymac2k6]

ordered...we'll see what happens.

 

[Johnnymac2k6]

Got it installed today!

Had to trim the tabs on both the radiator and fan shroud to get a little nicer fit than it would have had. Had to oblong a few mounting holes. the included China radiator cap came smashed.

Other than those small oversights, this is a very nice race type radiator. The welds are clean, the mounting locations were pretty spot on. Its also a true dual core. Appeared to me that the oe was just a fat single row.

My biggest issue was my power steering cooler was rusted solid to my old rad. I took a cutoff wheel and zipped off the mounting tabs. I have yet to decide if im going to just "christmas tree type" zip Tie it in place, or replace it with an after market unit.

Install pics to come.

 

[Johnnymac2k6]

Here's how it came. Packed Rather well.

 

[Johnnymac2k6]

 

[Johnnymac2k6]

This pic i took just for anyone contemplating the job. just wanted everyone to see that the oil cooler, steering cooler, and shroud can all move out of the way. if this was a perfect OE fit...I wouldn't have even had to pull the fan shroud. as you can see, my power steering cooler was welded solid to the old rad with rust. the truck is very clean, so i found this odd, but that possibly a wet area in the engine bay.

this was my one snafu. I used a rope to tieup the radiator, and cut off the brackets so i didn't have to pull the trans lines. I'm still contemplating wether to replace this with something aftermarket, and re-mount it permanently.

 

[Johnnymac2k6]

Old vs new, you can actually see my leak in this pic.lol i couldn't even see it until i had it out, but i knew it was there from the antifreeze smell, and the fact that my engine bay was continually filling with condensation from the pin-hole

 

[Johnnymac2k6]

and lastly, all done. Almost too pretty to cover with that trans cooler.lol

there were some minor fitment issues as noted in previous posts. nothing a cutoff wheel on an angle grinder couldn't fix in a few minutes and some test fitting.

I don't know if the PS cooler on a southern truck with low miles would come right off, and "clamp" to the bottom of the new one. But I don't see any provisions to re-mount the OE PS cooler.

So in conclusion, i'd probably buy it again, assuming no issues arise after some driving. As long as you realize this is about a 90% OE fitment if you're picky. I wanted my fan shroud to fit same as stock, so i trimmed a bit.

hope this helps someone in the future

 

[usaf2006]

Great job buddy. Hopefully she holds up!

 

[Johnnymac2k6]

Great job buddy. Hopefully she holds up!

Thank you sir! We'll do some driving tomorrow and see how she does.