Ron Davis Radiator is now TRASH!

[mudgudgeon]

Maybe. I’m curious what other people’s experiences are with this particular radiator. I think cooling capacity is pretty well established but I haven’t found too much info on expected longevity.

Longevity is a 'how long does a piece of string last' kind of question.

So many variables! Maintenance, environment, how you use a vehicle . . .

I replaced original radiator in my 93 fzj80 cruiser when it was 25+ years old.

I replaced the original radiator in my 02 hzj105 when it was 8 years old and leaking in a few places.
Both had approx 200k km of use

 

[Rifleman]

Maybe. I’m curious what other people’s experiences are with this particular radiator. I think cooling capacity is pretty well established but I haven’t found too much info on expected longevity.

Different radiator, but here is my experience with a factory radiator, my 94 land cruiser ran the original factory radiator for 27 years with no leaks or overheating problems,

The truck has spent it's whole life in the desert southwest (Including Phoenix AZ home of Rod Davis radiators for the pass 10 years) where temps in the summer time can easily top 110 in the shade and have seen over 120 on some days,

I replaced my radiator with a new factory radiator not because i was having any problems, but with 27 years on a set of plastic tanks i felt it would be a good idea to replace it,

I use to own my own auto repair shop and the biggest cause of radiator failure i saw was LACK OF MAINTENANCE!

Ive found from years of experience working on customers cars that no matter what coolant you run (red, pink, or green) the most IMPORTANT thing to remember is to stay on top of your cooling system maintenance.

One last word on cooling system maintenance, I don't buy into running the same coolant for 10 to 15 years or 300,000 miles without changing it, i don't care what the coolant bottles or manufacturers say,

Doing a complete coolant change using a quality coolant along with a flush every 3 years may cost a few extra bucks, but in the long run It's still alot cheaper then replacing an aluminum radiator or aluminum engine parts, Just my 2 cents YMMV

 

[Marvelicious]

Different radiator, but here is my experience with a factory radiator, my 94 land cruiser ran the original factory radiator for 27 years with no leaks or overheating problems,

The truck has spent it's whole life in the desert southwest (Including Phoenix AZ home of Rod Davis radiators for the pass 10 years) where temps in the summer time can easily top 110 in the shade and have seen over 120 on some days,

I replaced my radiator with a new factory radiator not because i was having any problems, but with 27 years on a set of plastic tanks i felt it would be a good idea to replace it,

I use to own my own auto repair shop and the biggest cause of radiator failure i saw was LACK OF MAINTENANCE!

Ive found from years of experience working on customers cars that no matter what coolant you run (red, pink, or green) the most IMPORTANT thing to remember is to stay on top of your cooling system maintenance.

One last word on cooling system maintenance, I don't buy into running the same coolant for 10 to 15 years or 300,000 miles without changing it, i don't care what the coolant bottles or manufacturers say,

Doing a complete coolant change using a quality coolant along with a flush every 3 years may cost a few extra bucks, but in the long run It's still alot cheaper then replacing an aluminum radiator or aluminum engine parts, Just my 2 cents YMMV

I'll give a little more time to extended service fluids, but 15 years is ridiculous, let alone "lifetime fluids". It's a lifetime fluid because when your worn out fluids kill your rig, the lifetime is over.

 

[nickolai]

I have heard and read, particularly from Aussies that the copper and ali rads are stiffer than the OEM style. Coupled with being wide and getting thrashed at twisted offroad the stiffer rads are more likely to fail. I dunno if this is actually a thing but the logic seems reasonable.