LUVTruck.com

I bought an aluminum radiator (22" wide by 19" deep) from speedwaymotors.com. This was supposedly the right size from everyone's recommendations, but it looks like I have to do alot of modifications--including the hinge brackets that hold on the hood. what did ya'll do and what kind of mods did you have to do?

you do have to do some cutting on the core support. alot of people cut the core support in half, but you can angle the radiator in such a way where you don't have to. Go to the pictures section and look at alot of the different ways to put them in. I have pics on my website how I did it on mine. see the www button below.

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03Cobra

Well I just put in my rad. and it to is a 19x22, and yes I had to cut out quite a bit to get it to fit, and I had to weld a bracket on the bottom to support it. Just remember to put some rubber inbetween any metal and the Rad. because it will rub, and it will make a hole in your Rad. By the By, Mine cost $204. how much was yours? {of course you dont have to answe if ya dont wanna!! Just curious} If you need a pic let me know!

I bought mine at Speedwaymotors.com and it was $139.00. (Sorry about your $204). thanks for the tidbit about the rubber in-betweens. I would like to have a picture of your radiator setup. I'm curious as to how you modified it.

Will do. ASAP

Well I don't have a pic of the truck with the radiator in it yet, but basically what I did is cut back the piece on the top about 4 inches from the inside of the engine comp. towards the front, and cut out where the stock radiator mounted on the sides. Then on the bottom piece behind the bumper, between the 2 holes where the grill mounts in, I cut a half moon shape, and that is where the electric fan will be. Then welded a piece of angle iron across where the bottom of the radiator will sit for support. Kinda hard to explain, and I will try to get some pics soon.

I think I'm starting to see what you're saying Luvnit. Please keep feeding me info and I think it will start to come together.

use the force father&sonluv use the force...
you have to believe in the force LOL

I will try to get some pics of mine as well

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if you aint skeered just a little bit THEN YOU AINT GOING AS FAST AS YOU SHOULD BE!!!!

GOTTA GET A NEW LUV!!!!!!!!!

here are some pics, and if you have anymore questions drop a line.

very nice!
I like that setup!

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03Cobra

Thanks alot!!!!! Could of done more for supprt, but hell its good n tight, so why keep messin with her

I keep thinking about dropping an aluminum radiator in the next time I need to replace my stocker. The cost isn't that far different from a new copper rad so other than the mods needed it seems like a no brainer upgrade. If you were putting a 19x22 rad in with a stock LUV motor do you think it could be done without so much cutting? I'd like something that would at least fit between the uprights that the stock rad bolts to, but I suppose that would be asking too much. At least with a stock motor I wouldn't have to slide it so far forward and chop into the cross pieces.

They do make smaller aluminum radiators that would be a closer match in size to a stock luv rad. They just aren't practical for street driven v8's...

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Resident lurker

I am really impressed by how much cooler the aluminum radiator is versus copper. If cooling is an issue, then Alum. is the way to go.

Hey thanks for the pix luvnit. Nice setup!

Your welcome! Hopefully they help. You need to get us some pics of your progress when you can, K

I've been thinking about posting pictures of our progress but I'm going to have to educate myself as to how in the world to do that. I'm dont have a digi-cam. but I'm going to try to get my photos put on a cd and then post them on here. I think Wal-mart does that. See what i can do.

I got my digi cam off of ebay for like $40. Its not a fancy one, but as you have seen, it actually takes a decent pic. If you end up getting a camera and doc. station I know someone here will tell you everything you need to know to post pics

I have been away for quite a while and now that I am finally home, will be starting on my LUV again. I can send you pics of my radiator installation if you want since it is the same one you have. I welded some brackets across the bottom to support the weight and have it screwed down up top. All contact points have rubber mounting to prevent chaffing. Let me know.

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I've never been wrong! Once I thought I was, but I was mistaken.
Rick
Loranger, La
1980 Stepside LUV (Again)