Radiator options
 

After 3 years of puttering, I finally fired off my 89 K2500 ECLB for the first time.

Open exhaust, trans cross member set in loose, a bunch of work to do underneath, and the grill and lights to re-install.

BUT IT RUNS AND MOVES!!!!!

Now for the bad news. The radiator is leaking trans fluid, so a new rad is in my future.

What is the thickest 28 inch radiator that these trucks came with? I have one a little over 1 inch thick and another (the leaker) about 1 1/4 thick.

Is that about it or were there thicker ones available.

Mine will need the trans cooler, but not the oil cooler.

Thanks
Steve

Re: Radiator options
 

I always got my replacements from Orielly's and no issues. I believe 1 1/4 is the thickest for the 28" wide radiator. At least that is what their website says. You could probably get thicker with aftermarket aluminum, but if you have good fan shroud and clutch fan, that should work just fine.

Re: Radiator options
 

I put the bigger factory option radiator in my 98 and it won't even hit 220* in rush hour traffic in 118* heat on blacktop with the ac going. Can't see the point of a bigger one unless you are building up a high HP engine.

Re: Radiator options
 

Re: Radiator options
 

X2 on the Champion,I have used a few of these,never had a problem

Re: Radiator options
 

I'm gonna be running a Ron Davis Radiator on my dually.

Re: Radiator options
 

I replaced the radiator in my 96 Z71 recently. I looked at the NAPA website and they had two listed, a standard duty and a heavy duty version. It gives the measurements for the core thickness. I got the heavy duty one like my truck came with originally and the price was $148.79. I have been ordering my parts from NAPA lately and pick them up in the store and they have them ready. With hoses, clamps, oil cooler lines, adapters, and two gallons of DexCool total cost was $320. Convenient if you have a NAPA store near you.

Re: Radiator options
 

There is also a taller version of it as well but it requires a different upper radiator support bracket set and matching upper fan shroud/top cover to go with it.

Most likely it is listed as a heavy duty cooling option or is included with certain combinations of HD options and the HD cooling option. The one I have in my 89 C1500 came out of my 94 K2500 ECLB 454 4L80E parts truck. The truck had a camper special option on the SPID so that may be what triggered the taller version.

It is probably an inch taller than the typical version.