casadejohnson
Bronco Alchemist
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2005
- Messages
- 3,587
Installing my explorer serpentine, I have been looking for an inexpensive solution to the radiator and radiator hose issue. I did not really like the idea of buying a custom radiator because of the cost. I also was not very excited about the crossover hose option because I want to be able to use off the shelf hoses. Researching, I read two posts about using a V6 explorer radiator but found no real tech info. So, after a couple trips to the junk yard and alot of measuring, I think I have figured it out and it appears that it will work well. The radiator is from a 4.0 liter 94 Explorer. It is very similar to the Bronco radiator in size but mounts a bit different. The explorer radiator has pegs on the bottom that fit into rubber grommets. When I got the radiator, I grabbed the grommets as well. After removing the stock radiator and hold down brackets, I test fit the radiator. For the lower mounts, I cut a piece of 2" flat bar the width of the new radiator and cut holes in it for the grommets. Next, I test fit again and marked the bar where the original bolt holes are for the original lower radiator brackets. The bolt holes fall very close to the rubber grommets so I cut some 3/4" square tube and welded it to the bottom of the flat bar and welded nuts into it. Now I can just bolt the bar down to the original mounting holes for the stock radiator. For the upper mounts, I wanted to use the mounting holes that the radiator has but they fall slightly higher than the radiator core support. I solved this with a couple more small pieces of flat bar. I just drilled a couple holes in the bar and the core support I then bolted the the short pieces of flat bar to the core support and the radiator to the bar. The top of the radiator is very close in height to the original radiator and the hood closes fine. Here are a few photos I took and I'll post more of it installed after I have it installed again. I took it back apart for now so that I could paint the flat bar pieces.
In the photos you can see:
The two radiators side by side
The peg mounts for the bottom of the radiator and grommets ( Radiator is upside down )
A couple test fit photos
The new lower radiator mounts with the grommets in it
I only paid $37 for the radiator and I should be able to use stock explorer radiator hoses.
In the photos you can see:
The two radiators side by side
The peg mounts for the bottom of the radiator and grommets ( Radiator is upside down )
A couple test fit photos
The new lower radiator mounts with the grommets in it
I only paid $37 for the radiator and I should be able to use stock explorer radiator hoses.