I'm curious what everyone who has done this swap has used for a radiator. James Duff makes one, but wants $400 for it, and I don't know if I'm ready to eat up that kind of cash on a rad.

All input would be greatly appreciated, but something specific to the gen 1 Rangers (83-88) would be preferred.

 

I used one I got off of ebay. It was excellent and handled everything I threw at it. Even A/C and a supercharger. But I haven't seen them on ebay for some time.

Many have done just fine by using a stock heavy duty radiator from a 4.0 Ranger application. There are two different styles out there between all the different year trucks. Both types are aluminum and 2 core I believe. Make sure you get the right year. You can even tuck it up under the core support to get a little more room between the radiator and the front accessories on the motor.

The Duff radiator works. But it will make a dent in the wallet.

 

Yeah, that's the big strike against the Duff. How do you tell which is the HD version from a 4L? I've got one coming that was in a '91 2wd automatic, would that be a HD rad?

 

have you looked at making slightly custom mounts for a radiator out of another car/truck - maybe even one out of a mustang?

When I put the supercharged 3.8L out of a Thunderbird SC in my 89 ranger I used the radiator out of the T-bird. all I had to do was slightly modify the bottom mounting "feet" and make a bracket for the top. Not hard at all and a LOT less than $400 into it since the radiator came with my donor car.

Take some measurements of what you have room for in the truck and look on eBay. I score 4" thick dual pass, all aluminum race radiators out of Nascar cars for under $300 shipped to my door quite often. You don't need anything that major, but with a little searching around you can surely find something that you can make work.