Browsing around the junkyards, I see radiators that look all good to go. I assume some are aluminum by the color of the metallic bits gleaming at my face.
Came across a 98 ford expedition Eddie Bauer edition, and even though I cannot see the radiator from it being all un-touched and covered, I would assume it's aluminum.
I was going to order a Griffin one from summit (# GRI-1-26222-X), it's 26x19. 2.1/4 cores for $173.00.

Anyways, But before I start digging into the SUV, how would we know that it would work for us? What is it we are looking for or is there a list out there?
If it has holes for an automatic tranny, or some AC crap, can we plug the holes on them for those items we don't have?

 

Short answer: measure and figure it out; there is no universal list. As far as a direct drop-in replacement, look for old Ford trucks. For other vehicles, pay attention to overall dimensions, mounting style (likely to be different for different vehicles, e.g. clamps top & bottom instead of bolt holes to attach it to the core support - have to determine whether you feel comfortable fabricating mounts if necessary), hose sizes and locations, number of cores, etc.

Automatic transmission cooler can be left unhooked if unused. A/C is always its own heat exchanger sitting in front of the radiator, never integrated.

It's possible some people here may have already figured out that specific radiators from other vehicles will work for some applications. Hopefully they can chime in and help you out.

 

I bought a champion a couple of years ago ,cheap...Last night i fitted it into rad core before sending out to powder guy,,,,It fit perfect ,worth looking at.Heavy duty

 

awesome! thanks.

 

Take a look at the Merc Village/Nissan Quest aluminum radiator... and electric fans apparently. Rich has recommended consideration of it for a while now.

 

right on. Think I saw some of those. thanks
I guess i can make brackets for whatever anyways.

 

I found with my 77' with a six that it's hard to find a radiator that fits. If you find something, let me know please.

 

Lincoln Mk VIII two-speed fan, Taurus or Lincoln cars. A 95 Mercury villager minivan with a 3.3L V6. The stock radiator for this thing was a gigantic three core all aluminum radiator. However, the fan for this was a gigantic 19" two speed fan. This thing is massive. Bigger than a mark viii. If anyone's interested, research says the 92-2002 Villager is a rebadged Nissan quest.

Here are some measurements....Super Cooling radiator (26 1/4" wide x 24 11/16" high). The top tank is HUGE, it's wider and deeper than the standard/xtra cooling & A/C radiators (that are 26 1/4" x 19 3/4"), overlaps the core.

While you are there looking....Hydro-Boost: 1972/79 Lincoln/Continental Marks / 1972/76 Thunderbird / 1973/78 LTD/Mercury Marquis/Grand Marquis (some) / 1975/80 Granada/Monarch & 1977/80 Lincoln Versailles (some). All use the Saginaw P/S pump that resembles a canned ham. Saginaw pump also used on all 1975/91 Econolines. LTD includes Country Sedan/Squire station wagons and Mercury Marquis/Grand Marquis includes Colony Park station wagons. FoMoCo 'downsized' the LTD/Grand Marquis in 1979, Hydro-Boost was not offered.

And....Dual Horns from a 1992-1997 Ford pickup truck or Bronco. Ford car too are louder than the ol single, just remember to get the 2 horn jumper wire, it will plug and honk with the original set up.

And since you are there looking...look for a 99-03 Power Stroke/Super Duty BACK seats that will work in the front of a 73-79 reg cab. Unless you're pulling from an XL. The newer XLT-King Ranch trucks all have a 2 piece back seat that folds up, so I don't think they'd be able to be put in.

 

Went with a griffin radiator on mine too. 3in thick, about the same size as the opening in our rad supports. But I had to build custom brackets, I heard they're too thin to TIG to,so get ready to custom fab. With my auto trans, I also used a solo trans cooler. Cheaper than buying the rad with the cooler built in. . . I have some good pics in my build thread.

 

Awesome info man. ey, I got two elec fans from 95 thuderbirds. look's like they will work out good. 2 or 3 core alum rads would be fine.
Now that I've looked at my rad setup how it is now and size, etc. Think I'll hit the yards again this week. when it's slow at work.
Does it matter if they are 'thinner'? Think that has an effect on cooling?

 

On the subject of horns, consider the GM four-note system (Notes A,C,D, and F from four horns!) installed in their "higher end" late 80s to mid-90s models like Cadillacs, Buicks, and Pontiacs.



Highlighted in silver is where to find the note of the particular horn:

 

I am robbing one of these villagers the next time I spot one.. Iv been hearing about these for some time now..

 

This bit should go into a sticky.. All good to know

 

I bought my truck with no radiator at all lol, so I'm considering the same. However, looking on Ebay, all the ones I see have side tanks, not top and bottom, is this the same radiator?

 

Almost all modern radiators are cross flow. It's way more efficient.