Recommended radiator?

I've got a couple extra bucks and decided to put it into my cooling system before (if) summer ever gets here. Any recommendations on a radiator for a 79 cj5 with a stock 304? I don't want to get into something to crazy....just trying to avoid an issue down the road and I'm running out of relatively easy stuff to replace. Is the stock rad sufficient if I pick up a rebuilt (if they are even available) or even a new replacement? Not sure about the latest 'radiator technology' nor the 'robustness' or 'effectiveness' of the original equipment.

I've already picked up a new thermostat, hoses, etc. so those are going to be replaced for sure....

Thanks!

 

I'd think a new replacement would be fine. Jeep offered a standard and heavy duty radiator, the "heavy duty cooling" option.

If you have your original radiator, and you can find a local shop that still does the work, you could have the radiator recored. The difference between the std and HD radiator is the number of rows of core. Just pick a core with a maximum number of rows for the tanks, typically 3 or 4. Likely will not be any cheaper than the replacement radiator (maybe even cost more), but its a way to get 4 rows instead of 3 (if they fit) and the original tanks and brackets are probably heavier than those on replacements today.

BTW there's only one place in my area that recores anymore ... so you'll likely have to search a bit to find a 'real' radiator shop. Most radiator business now is simple replacement with radiators made in third-world factories (Modine is in Mexico IIRC).

 

Do you have the heavy duty clutch fan and shroud? That helps a lot.

 

I'm not sure. I'll have to dig up some pics to compare.

I did find out that Quadratec sells the 3 row HD rads for $275 or something like that....

I have my drained and I'm going to flush it as soon as it's warm enough not to freeze up as soon as it hit the ground...I'll see what condition it's in when I'm done and go from there. I never had any overheating problems, just precautionary...