bed mounted radiator
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: tacoma-wa
bed mounted radiator
You may remember a little while ago i swapped a 360 into 82 f150. Anyways I had to use the radiator that was with the 300 inline 6 for clearance reasons. But the last couple of times that i was out it started getting a little warm, not overheating but to the point i needed to cool it down. So what I am thinkin is putting the radiator that is supposed to be with the 360 in the bed and putting an electri fan on it. I have heard from a few people that it would just run cooler because the increased amount of coolant in the system, im not sure about this. I think im going to a lower thermastat this weekend. Oh yea how should i run the hoses to the back? Any suggestions I know ive read about some of you other guys doing this.
Thanks,
Justin
Thanks,
Justin
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Spokane, WA
I'll be installing mine in about a week or two so if you can hang on for a little while I'll post full pics and details about it. You will have more coolant capacity but it will also be important to place the radiator in the air stream or it won't cool properly.
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From: Pulaski, TN
i have actually saw a truck like this in a magazine, he had the radiator mounted in the back with 2 electric fans one of the dual ones and had his bed modified with pockets on the side kinda like scoops but on the side of the bed so that air is being forced through then he had a hole in the back, not sure why, think maybe for air to escape. wish i could find a pic for you but it has been a while since i seen it and wouldn't know where to look but it was really cool i hadn't never seen anything like it before. by the way it was an f-150
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Pulaski, TN
thought you would like to know
i have actually saw a truck like this in a magazine, he had the radiator mounted in the back with 2 electric fans one of the dual ones and had his bed modified with pockets on the side kinda like scoops but on the side of the bed so that air is being forced through then he had a hole in the back, not sure why, think maybe for air to escape. wish i could find a pic for you but it has been a while since i seen it and wouldn't know where to look but it was really cool i hadn't never seen anything like it before. by the way it was an f-150. kinda doubt this will help you any.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Spokane, WA
Electric fans with a proper shroud will work fine provided they move enough CFM. But you don't want them running all the time or they won't last long. What are you using this truck for? Offroad only or is it a street rig? A high mounted radiator like Pro's is ideal because it catches the airflow off the roof of the cab. His fans rarely come on. At the last mudbog he did one of his 2 fans was burned out and it still stayed cool. I don't have a roll bar yet so mine will be mounted down low in the bed for the time being. I'm going to play with it and see if I can keep it cool even with minimal airflow as I have a huge aluminum radiator. What I'll be doing for the time being is mounting it facing the rear of the truck so it will catch airflow that bounces off the tailgate and comes forward in the bed. If you had no tailgate or a net and could move your radiator back further, facing forward, this would be good too.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: okc
Originally Posted by ivanribic
If you had no tailgate or a net and could move your radiator back further, facing forward, this would be good too.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Oregon
I prefer copper pipe. Mines held up to years of abuse. If you do a search on this topic I know I've covered all aspects of the rear mount radiators in length in here. Otherwise, we can just field the questions as they come 
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: tacoma-wa
yes ivan this is primarily offroad, it sees some pavement but not much as i don't want to buy tires all the time for home made locker reasons, i was wondering about what kind of hose or tubing, but i guess thats already been answered, i guess ill just have to play around with it to find the best air flow. thanks for all the info
Justin
Justin
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: iowa
I am using braided line for the top hose, and 1-1/2" steel conduit for the bottom hose, I tried to work with copper, and kept crushing it so went with steel. Mine is low mounted, and has a double fan, but then I am not running mine on the street at all,a nd wouldn't get enough airflow anyway so no sense in high mounting it, and getting it clogged with mud.
Hey Pro, I think we are finally starting to corrupt, errrr convert the rest of them.<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZNxdm824BCUS' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_2_29.gif' alt='Devil' border=0></a>
Hey Pro, I think we are finally starting to corrupt, errrr convert the rest of them.<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZNxdm824BCUS' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_2_29.gif' alt='Devil' border=0></a>
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Spokane, WA
My only thing with a high mount radiator is I don't like not being able to see out of my rear window. As Pro always points out when you sit that high there's nothing to see behind you but sky anyway. Still, I like an open view so I'm going to try for the radiator sitting a little bit lower. I think that with the size radiator I'll be running and with the additional tank I'll be able to cool with no problems.
Rob, where did you get that hose? I wanted braided stainless to go from my copper lines to the radiator and the engine.
Rob, where did you get that hose? I wanted braided stainless to go from my copper lines to the radiator and the engine.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Oregon
Originally Posted by monsterbaby
Hey Pro, I think we are finally starting to corrupt, errrr convert the rest of them.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Centerville, Iowa
Just wait Rob...once I get my mud truck, you'll have a YOUNG, LOCAL individual to corrupt. First thing we're doing is I'm coming over and we're bolting those tiresof yours on and then taking the Sawzall to it as needed. 
Rear mounted radiator? Sure .
I can't wait myself. ^_^
Rear mounted radiator? Sure . I can't wait myself. ^_^