Help needed in Shamokin, PA

[jonheld]

My LX450s fan decided to tear through my radiator on the trail at aoaa. Got towed out and back to the Airbnb we rented in Shamokin. I'll deal with AAA to get my truck home. New radiator is on the way.

I'm looking for someone to tow my M416 trailer (lunette/pintle) loaded with my Swampers and either hang onto it until I can get back to you, or tow it to Gary's house who offered to store it for a while.

Please text or call if you can help me out.

Jon Held
973.271.8646

 

[PVCsnorkel]

Jon, Did you get your truck out ok?
I wish I saw this Saturday I could've run down.

 

[shmukster]

Jon was able to leave the trailer at the rental house and had his truck rollbacked home.

 

[surfishjoe]

My LX450s fan decided to tear through my radiator on the trail at aoaa. Got towed out and back to the Airbnb we rented in Shamokin. I'll deal with AAA to get my truck home. New radiator is on the way.

I'm looking for someone to tow my M416 trailer (lunette/pintle) loaded with my Swampers and either hang onto it until I can get back to you, or tow it to Gary's house who offered to store it for a while.

Please text or call if you can help me out.

Jon Held
973.271.8646

Water crossing or just flexing ? What happened John? Hopefully you get it sorted.

 

[jonheld]

I have everything apart in my driveway and can't figure out exactly what caused this.
The radiator was sliced by the fan at the very bottom. The 80s fan sits behind the bottom of the shroud.
Motor mounts are new, but I put a floor jack under and looked for separation. I pulled them both out and inspected them. Both perfect.
I ordered a new fan, fan shroud, radiator, mounting hardware, and installed a new water pump I had sitting on a shelf. I'll swap out another modified fan clutch I have laying around.
Parts will be here Friday, so I'll start putting things back together and pressure test the coolant system before final assembly.

 

[jonheld]

We weren't on a particularly difficult trail. Upper or lower anthracite. I can't remember the name. The trail with the rocks and trees
It was difficult getting pulled by Mark's 40 and trying to steer the LX450 with no power steering or power brakes through the rocks.
We got out eventually...

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Good to hear you made it home and got your truck home. You have been a wonderful help to this community. When I saw your post, I was thinking of that and if only were closer would have loved to be of help. Glad it worked out. Very curious about the root cause if you find it.

 

[jonheld]

You have been a wonderful help to this community.

I'm here to help...or patronize and annoy.

 

[jonheld]

Wanted to close this out.
New parts were delayed in shipping, but I got a chance to put things back together last Thursday.
Ran her out to PA to pick up my trailer, then up to the Catskills to bang around in the woods for the rest of the weekend.
Ran like a champ.

 

[jonheld]

For those who might be interested in the cause of my woe and strife, please read through this thread.
Some good info for 80s owners.

Thread 'Radiator protection from fan abuse'

Aug 18, 2026

I have seen a few radiators get eaten by fan blades. This is usually blamed on bad motor mounts. Somet I mes it happens on a jump or just a cow crossing.

Also seen several happen on 4wd247 show..

Well here is what I am doing about it...

The before

and after

I welded in a piece 1in wide peice of flat stock. Just welded the end and a few tacks. I didn't do a full weld on the tank side, ti make it easy to remove, and also so I dont make a hole. The top is about 1/8 away from the cooling tubes. I don't expect a significant loss in cooling from the rad...

• Outsane
• Replies: 43
• Forum: 80-Series Tech

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