Aluminum Radiator

[VX KAT]

Are these going to be readily available or built to order? Or, is it just a one-off?

What's the weight comparison to the OEM or aftermarket equivalent? (I have some GM model since my old one went POP but it's the same really) Anywhere I can shave weight, I am a happy camper.

Have to agree though, that shroud needs some TLC. Also curious, since the shroud has been slightly relocated, I wonder if this would affect the S/C belt. Highly doubt it, but just thinking out loud.

As to weight, I would guess 3 lbs more than stock and almost a gallon more in fluid at 8 lbs/gal. Total guess at 10lbs. We could start a lottery.
Roy

Got some info from Ron Davis Racing:

• Weighs around 14 lbs vs. OEM 11 lbs. Roy was right on the mark!
• Holds a few more ounces than the OEM
• Part number which is 1-24RO9397
  
• Also fits a Rodeo (but didn't give model years)
• He was surprised to hear the shroud needed to be cut....so I'm not sure where the problem lies...was it in their measurement & manufacture or my mechanics install....

[newthings]

Hmmm,
Check that the rubber donuts are on the two pins at the bottom edges of the rad. These cushion the rad from the frame. They also raise the rad about 1". No donuts would drop the rad/shroud onto the fan and require a cutout.
Worth checking. I ordered new, but found the 10 year old rubber was as soft as the new. I think I kept the old ones if you need them.

Roy

[newthings]

Hi Gary,
I have not put on the stock shroud. My rad was made for a Davis electric
dual fan shroud and the mounting points are not the same as stock. New unit will look like Sue's. I can get away with a lot of fan flow loss in my climate, but I am still thinking about using the stock plastic route for safety. I removed the stock fan and found my electric fans hit the S/C belt, so it's back to the stock shroud with some cut outs for the top as well as other locations to clear the S/C belt. My rad did not have the notch for the stock hold down.

Davis can build a copy of Sue's unit if you order one.

Sue, you might take some modeling clay or a handful of wet paper towels and close the hood on the rad cap to verify clearance. I cannot tell if RD lowered the pipe, as requested. Looks good. A bit of file work will spiff up the shroud hole.
Cheers, Roy

[samneil2000]

Just saw this on ebay. Not sure if it's any good, the old saying you get what you pay for. Anyway, if someone's looking for a cheap radiator replacement...
$67 bucks...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Radiator...sories&vxp=mtr

[newthings]

So far, so good. Will watch progress.
Roy

[LittleBeast]

My trusted mechanics shop replaced my radiator with a terrible radiator that is not getting the job done, so I placed an order for one of these from Ron Davis today, should be here in 3 weeks.

[VX KAT]

My trusted mechanics shop replaced my radiator with a terrible radiator that is not getting the job done, so I placed an order for one of these from Ron Davis today, should be here in 3 weeks.

Great choice! I'm now SURE I've fixed my overheating problem!
This year in Moab, ran with full A/C with air temp 94, going really slow on trails - Water temp stayed between 180 - 195, and hit 207 once when climbing slowly.
You'll love it in Houston!!

[LittleBeast]

So my mechanic said he would be willing to install the Ron Davis aluminum radiator and new fan shroud at no cost since I was not happy with the one his guy installed. So I got the first piece of the puzzle. FF Dynamics 16" Extreme Duty radiator cooling fan:

[VX KAT]

Oh, I thought the FF Dynamics fan was for in front, like a few other owners have done. My bad.

I know what you mean about the redesigned OEM fan clutch and fan blade, as I had to buy them both, and they were spendy. But since I can't do any of this wrenching myself, I want it to last another 12 years.
Merlin told me the redesigned fan blade is supposed to improve air flow, and I think supposed to be quieter too.

Glad you solved your problem too!

AZOutlaw- I was running around PHX all afternoon today, water temp never went above 184. I know it wasn't the hottest day, maybe 100-102 ? But it was all stop and go, and short hops, with full A/C and no problem.

[LittleBeast]

I might eventually look into the new fan and fan clutch from Isuzu, sounds intriguing. Mine sounds like a fighter jet taking off now :-)

[LittleBeast]

Radiator has been working like a charm, however my problem ended up being the fan clutch and the FF Dynamics electric fan was not powerful enough to suck air through the thicker Ron Davis radiator. Now that I have the aluminum radiator and new fan clutch installed I have not gone over 180 degrees in 100+ Houston humidity. Pleased so far, but I would say most overheating issues can be solved with a new $100 fan clutch from AutoZone or amazon.

[VX KAT]

Radiator has been working like a charm, however my problem ended up being the fan clutch and the FF Dynamics electric fan was not powerful enough to suck air through the thicker Ron Davis radiator. Now that I have the aluminum radiator and new fan clutch installed I have not gone over 180 degrees in 100+ Houston humidity. Pleased so far, but I would say most overheating issues can be solved with a new $100 fan clutch from AutoZone or amazon.

Actually, Bill Williamson at RD Radiator advised me against putting an auxilliary fan on as it would actually cause a decrease in air flow as it actually blocks airflow and only about 30% gets through.
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...1&postcount=19

And it was the same for me basically, my problem wasn't fully resolved either until I replaced the fan clutch (and redesigned fan blade).

I went with OEM cuz somebody mentioned they'd tried several aftermarket f.c.'s and they'd and their overheating wasn't resolved until they tried the OEM f.c. Think it was VXorado.

[LittleBeast]

Actually, Bill Williamson at RD Radiator advised me against putting an auxilliary fan on as it would actually cause a decrease in air flow as it actually blocks airflow and only about 30% gets through.
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...1&postcount=19

And it was the same for me basically, my problem wasn't fully resolved either until I replaced the fan clutch (and redesigned fan blade).

I went with OEM cuz somebody mentioned they'd tried several aftermarket f.c.'s and they'd and their overheating wasn't resolved until they tried the OEM f.c. Think it was VXorado.

The FF Dynamics electric fan I tried actually replaced the stock fan with fan clutch and the fan shroud, but it was not strong enough for the thicker Ron Davis aluminum radiator. The "auxilary fan" added to the front of the condenser (not the radiator) actually does help keep the A/C compressor happy in hotter weather. Two totally different things though. Auxilary fan cools condenser (A/C) and main fan with clutch cools radiator.

I got a $90 fan clutch from AutoZone and it is working better then the stock one ever did (hopefully it will last). If we order a new fan clutch from Isuzu we are forced to get a new fan and fan clutch, I believe Merlin quoted me somewhere just above $300 for both because our older design is not avaliable anymore.

[LittleBeast]

I just got the one from AutoZone. It is louder but does its job better then the factory one did.

[LittleBeast]

Since I got the Ron Davis radiator and the new clutch the VX has not gone over 180. Before I was getting to 210 or so every time I was sitting in traffic.