My Summitt aluminum radiator install

[Mad Chemist]

After fighting overheating issues last summer, I decided it was time to upgrade my cooling system. I was running an 18" mechanical fan with a Cool Cruisers 4-core radiator and home-built shroud. Here's my old setup (minus the shroud), and the new radiator, 19"x26" aluminum cross-flow from Summitt Racing.

 

[Mad Chemist]

I wanted to re-use the stock bracket, or at least as much of it as possible, to mount the new radiator. This required cutting it in half, making it a few inches wider, and adding a new piece of 1" square tube as a crossmember/support.

 

[Mad Chemist]

The wider bracket won't fit flush against the mounting points, so I had to raise the whole setup above the frame rails by adding a piece of 1.5" square tube to get a bit of extra height.

 

[Mad Chemist]

As part of the rebuild, I began making a new radiator shroud. I ran out of time this weekend, but am making good progress so far!

 

[dgangle]

how are you mounting the aluminum radiator to the steel radiator support?

Also be careful with your shroud design, easpecially where it contacts the aluminum radiator. With vibration it may saw/abraid holes in that soft aluminum.

 

[Mad Chemist]

I've got this plastic sheathing that is ~5 mm thick. The idea is to line any contact points with that stuff, to minimize steel/aluminum contact. That's my biggest concern with going with the aluminum radiator.

 

[srgould41]

Nice work so far David. I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Steve

 

[mimkerman]

Be-cool

i dropped one of these in and it was an exact fit
never have any heat issues
they are probably more expensive

 

[dgangle]

apples to oranges

 

[bsevans]

I would be concerned about galvanic corrosion (sometimes called dissimilar metal corrosion). Aluminum and steel are close to each other as far as their Anodic Index (V), (in the .75 V to .95 V range depending on the series of Aluminum used). Dissimilar metals with direct contact in environments such as high humidity and salt environments should not have a difference of more than .15 V in their Anodic Index. If you have a lot of exposure to these conditions you should inspect the assembly for the first signs of corrosion and take corrective action to isolate/break the electrical path if corrosion is found.

 

[Mad Chemist]

I wanted more cooling capacity, so I went with an oversized rad= more surface area, so using the stock bracket as is wasn't an option. Agreed about the galvanic corrosion, there won't be direct contact by the time I'm done.

 

[Michael Hanson]

I would think about aluminum angle material or alum. channel instead of that steel.2 cents MIke

 

[froadin]

apples to oranges

Apples to oranges ? is the quality that much different between the two?

 

[dgangle]

It's not the quality, they are two different animals altogether. Mad Chemist is mounting a $212 oversized non-application specific aluminum radiator in his truck that requires creativity and fabrication skills. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-381325/

The BeCool is a +$500 direct replacement for the standard Toyota-sized radiator. These are on Ebay all the time for cheap. 77 78 79 80 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER ALUMINUM RADIATOR 2 R0 : eBay Motors (item 280457079033 end time Feb-05-10 12:48:34 PST)

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=la...&_nkwusc=land+cruise+aluminum+radiator&_rdc=1


I can't attest to the quality but things are usually worth what you pay for them. That being said, is a BeCool really worth 2.5X a similar alternative??? There have been many debates on this subject and will be many more.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Exactly my thinking- I couldn't justify spending the extra cash on a plug-n-play. It all depends on what your time is worth- I enjoy fabbing up stuff, for better or worse.

 

[dgangle]

Keep it up. I enjoy seeing others' creativity and it inspires me, plus gives ideas.

Anyone can just bolt something in and live with the compromises.

 

[middlecalf]

Looks like the outlet on your new al rad is higher vertically than the original stock rad. Do you still have clearance for the 18" fan or are you going a different route with that? What's your SBC?

 

[camcruiser13]

looks great, i need to get me a new alum radiator.

 

[bsevans]

Exactly my thinking- I couldn't justify spending the extra cash on a plug-n-play. It all depends on what your time is worth- I enjoy fabbing up stuff, for better or worse.

Not to through water on your decision but here is a 3 row Aluminum radiator built as a direct replacement for the factory radiator for $190 plus $25 for the ride. As much as I enjoy designing and fabricating one off items for my FJ40, I personally would have taken a different approach in search of a solution.

3 Row Aluminum Radiator

 

[dgangle]

5 posts ago I linked one of these Chineese knock-offs that was $40 cheaper. Not saying that is the way to go though. With cooling capacity, bigger is better.