Bolt-in Aluminum Radiators?

Hello all,

Sliced my original radiator open with the fan blade for the second time this weekend and I think this is where we part ways. Last year I ran over a stick that bent my fan blade into the bottom of the radiator. Got it repaired and ran it all year and now out of nowhere just tipping down the road the fan somehow moved enough to slice it open again in the exact same spot. Will need to investigate this one further. But in the meantime I'm not too keen on paying to repair a repair so I'm shopping aluminum radiators. My research is showing they work fine especially for my applications (never had an overheating problem anyway), but the challenge is finding something that'll bolt right in. Any recommendations on simple aluminum replacement options with minimal modification required?

As an aside if anyone wants to buy the damaged original radiator send me a PM.

 

Champion makes a direct replacement radiator. Since you're is a '66, you probably have the smaller 19" wide radiator: https://www.championradiators.com/Jeep-CJ-radiator-1965-1971

Jegs has them a cheaper with free shipping: https://www.jegs.com/i/Champion-Cooling-Systems/166/EC6571/10002/-1

Champion also has the later wider 22" radiator, but you would need a later style grill with wider duct work for it to bolt-in: https://www.championradiators.com/product/CC7071

You can also get original style shrouds from Partsdude4x4 but they cost about as much as the radiator itself: https://stores.partsdude4x4.net/fan-shroud-cj5-with-17-v6-radiator/ https://stores.partsdude4x4.net/fan-shroud-for-22-radiator/


I've had good luck painting aluminum radiators with black high-temp stove paint so they look more original in an old Jeep.

19" Champion in my '68 (with original shroud):


22" in my '69 with Partsdude4x4 shroud (you can also see the different in the grill duct work for the wider radiator):

 

Thanks a lot for the tip!

 

That reminds me to get my original shroud back from Sam, he used it to make the molds for the repros.

 

Look at Alloy Works Performance Radiator on EBay. Purchased one from them for $225 and it has worked just fine. Had to do a very small amount of filing on the bottom drain to make the fan miss it properly. But it bolted up just fine and works great. Installed back in May and I have had no problems. I tried to find the order form in my email to get you the exact one I purchased and I cannot find it.

 

I second the recommendation for champion radiator. Bolts right in and works great.

 

Got the champion and looks like it will fit right in so I'm happy about that! An unexpected issue I'm finding is replacing the fan. I was only able to find 1 so far on ebay that said it was a original, but it doesn't fit by a mile. Wonder where else to look for a fan.