When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hey everyone! I need a new radiator for my 1986 f250 6.9 cause my original is pretty clogged up. Problem is I have a 15 1/2h x 37 1/2w x 2 3/4d and everywhere I looked is either out of stock or is very expensive. My question is if I swap it over to the other radiator that is a little more narrow and taller will it bolt in or will I need to do some modifications to the mounts? The other radiator option is 23h x 30w. I do have a tow package and it is 4x4 and automatic.
You'll need the tall narrow radiator support as well as a tall narrow radiator. These rad supports are hard to find and pricey when you do, I usually see $700-$800. Then you can use an tall narrow radiator, the cheap junky plastic tank units or a Champion. Personally I got a Champion 4 row tall narrow and it's great.
You didn't mention where you're located. I'm in NJ outside of Philadelphia. I have a 80-86 tall narrow radiator support. Passenger side mount area is rotted out. On my rainy day project list is to either patch it up or just buy a cheap repop gas radiator support, remove the gas lower section, and attach my solid diesel lower section. I also have my old copper/brass tall narrow radiator still. The trans cooler has failed and coolant slowly leaks into it/out of the trans cooler fittings. I have a manual and just plugged them but got a Champion as an upgrade for peace of mind, planned to eventually have a rad shop go through the old one some day to have a spare. You could have it repaired or run a big external trans cooler. If you're near Philly let me know if you're interested in the rad support and radiator. I'd let them both go cheap, probably whatever you think is fair. I'd rather help someone out than be tripping over them for years until I get around to it.
You need to swap the core support, I didn't know the supports were hard to find. They are so plentiful here I thought they had no value but I didn't think about the rust in other states.
Indeed they are rare, there are a few guys here in the rust belt that do trips south and bring back 80-97 beds and diesel radiator supports. Beds are $800-1200 here and rad supports $700-$800. Not a bad gig if you've got space tp wait for people willing to pay top dollar. Problem is you get other people that want $1000 for a bed that has rot, they don't understand that a tiny spot of rot above the wheel well and the whole bedside beimg trashed are the same amount of work, so a rusty bed is worth significantly less.