My 97 2.3L Ranger developed a hole in the trans cooler into the radiator. Pretty sure I bought this exact radiator off that exact seller off eBay. Swapped it in and everything was golden. Been about 8 months I guess and I noticed my trans would sometimes take a few seconds to actually enter into gear. I check the trans fluid while at operating temp and on level ground. Nothing even on the stick. Now, I watch my driveway like a hawk and I park in the exact same parking spot every day at work. There's no leak. Well, only other place it could be.....yep.... trans fluid in the radiator again. WTF!

 

Reads like it's time to spend the extra dough on OEM radiator.

 

Pshhh you aint lyin. Is there a particular website you guys use to get cheap OEM parts? Any OEM radiator I've found is $400+!!! "Name brand" non-OEM from Advanced Auto Parts is $140 and other random-names like Spectra is $119.

 

No, OEM generally is twice the price.
You can get after market rad at a local parts store and make sure it has at least a 1 year warranty.

 

Hit the junkyard grab a radiator for cheap. Flush it out you will probably be better off than a cheap aftermarket one.

 

Anyone ever tried to claim on those auto part store warranties? They want receipts and invoices from professional installation, then documentation from a professional that states the flaw was related to manufacturer defect in the part. Got burned on an alternator after ~10 months on a different vehicle. Yeah. Like I shop at a DIY auto parts store so I can bring it to a professional...

 

Advance always treats me right but my radiator i got at summit open box was made for a 4.0 but works well on my 3.0 it was like $60 and i see no difference from OEM on quality or function in fact id swear its the same company stuff like that is outsourced nowadays its to expensive for these companies to make there own specifically so its probably a spectra or similar you just pay double because the box says ford and my factory one was not stamped ford anywhere. Although ebay sellers tend to sell that made in china crap. At least the coolant isn't in the trans thats a saving grace transmissions do not like water lol

 

So Spectra is an actual brand name? Never heard of them.

 

Yeah they go by ready rad i think in most parts houses but Spectra is their parent name there is also a few guys that make welded all aluminum ones for these trucks to can't remember the name right off but I've seen some great reviews on them as well.