So I've put a new 4 row radiator in my truck, which is an '82. The rad support is out of an '85. I've got 2 questions really,

1) in 85 they started using little bushings at the top of the radiator, was the change due to a change in the rad support or the radiator itself?

2) does the bottom of the radiator sit directly on the rad support, or is it suspended? Off each side of the radiator channel is a little perch, lined with a groove of rubber....which the radiator comes no where near. Should the radiator have little arms that stick off the sides to rest on these perches?

I would upload a picture, but I forgot you can't do it directly from a phone

 

So, did you order a 85 radiator or a 82? I am thinking a 85 radiator would probably fit the 85 core support better. If you got a 82 radiator, you might have to rig something to make it work. Most of them do sit in rubber saddles on the bottom, but I am not up on all the little changes from year to year.

 

 

I'm pretty sure I bought a radiator for an '82, but I don't remember. It was probably 2 years ago I bought it. I assume I'll have to fab something up

 

There was a major change between 82 and 85 in both the radiators and supports. The radiators changed dimensions significantly, the mounting changed, the fresh air opening changed location and size, and the shroud changed. I have both supports and shrouds and compared them. Couldn't figure an easy way to put the 82 radiator I have in the 85 support, so I'll stay with the 82 support.

As for the radiator mounting, the 82's (awa the 80 & 81's) had a rubber pad that sat in a depression in the support and the radiator sat in a groove in it. At the top a bracket with a rubber-lined U came down over the top of the radiator.

 

Thanks Gary, so it looks like I'll be needing to locate an '82 radiator support today then. Glad it's in the 20's out! One from a bronco should work just fine also correct?

 

Yes, they are the same.