1" or 2 1/4" radiator core?
 

Hello fellas. Got a leaking radiator. Going through the local parts house on-line I see a 1" deep or 2 1/4" deep core. I currently have a 1" deep Radiator core, can I install a 2 1/4" core provided all the lines are in same place. What would be the benefit or handicap for a thicker core. I think it would befefit in hot weather to have a thicker core? Dont get too hot here in fairbanks Alaska. gets might chilly though. -30 this morning.

There is nothing wrong with keeping things cooler. Even in extreme cold, the greater volume of fluid will retain thermal energy longer making for a marginally slower cool-down. My first Bronco had the "tow package" which included what Ford affectionately called the "SuperCool" radiator. This is the 2 1/4" heavy-duty radiator option. I swapped it from the old Bronco into the new one and would do it again in a heartbeat just to have the extra cooling capacity. The locations for the hoses are nearly the same (close enough to count). Transmission cooling lines are in the same place albeit, you may need to adapt fitting sizes. The only major drawback you have to deal with is that the shroud for the thicker radiator is much thinner than the one for the smaller one. I don't normally recommend running without a shroud but at -30ºF it might not be as big a deal getting the most air through the radiator.

How are things In Fairbanks? Haven't been there since '04. Was there in July though and just as glad it was mid-summer.

I'd have to disagree with that it's entirely possible the larger rad will extend warmup time so much that fuel milage will be negatively impacted and you could even experience a serious lack of heat in extreme cold. I made the mistake of putting a dual core rad in our old Ranger when the original single core died and now it takes forever to warm up in the winter and doesn't generate much cab heat on the highway.. and that's with the rad almost completely covered.

Listen to Conanski and keep the 1" rad. The time for my truck to heat up was drastically increased when I went to a dual core radiator

With the 1" radiator I do have very good heat in the dead of winter and I haven't had any overheat issues in summer. Bronco has lived here it's whole life. The only towing I do is a utility trailer with harley or ATV on it. Maybe I don't need the thicker core.
G.S. I've been here since the "Chair" force shipped me up in 91. Came up with the F-16s to Eielson Airplane Patch. Seemed like a nice place to raise a family, so I did. Fairbanks has turned into quite the urban sprawl. Fairbanks "now" looks like Anchorage back then. Next time you are up, I'll buy you a cup of coffee.

How can a larger radiator increase warm-up time? If your thermostat opens at the correct temperature, there is absolutely no worry of greater fluid capacity preventing warm up. (I sincerely doubt the OP runs without a thermostat in Fairbanks AK). Besides, we aren't talking about a component that is non-stock. the larger radiator was stock on these trucks when equipped with the tow package. As long as you maintain the proper thermostat opening temp for that radiator, there is nothing wrong with what he is proposing. Disagree all you want. There is no basis in physics for this to present a problem.

Thanks for the info
 

I was looking for an answer to the same question, but at the other end of the country. I rarely have to worry about the heater here in Miami. The plastic tank cracked on my 1991 F150. I've only done a little work to her in the past, and thought I'd change out the radiator on my own. I was working on the presumption that a larger core would better cool my engine in our brutal South Florida heat.

Wish me luck on my project. I've worked on the brakes, starter, alternator and water pump on my own. I had the clutch work done by a professional. I'm not a mechanic, but I sure enjoy learning all I can about this beautiful truck!