Has anyone changed out their radiator for a shorter version to eliminate the underhang that is exposed below the bumper. I cringe at the thought of doing any serious 4 wheeling with 5 inches of my rad and condenser exposed to any rock or whatever that might come along. I have researched some aluminum racing rads and am wondering if anyone else has changed out their rad?

 

get a skid plate. you dont want a smaller rad. my truck likes over heat with slow clawing or snow wheeling with a stock rad.

 

Agreed, make a skid plate or just get one off an FX4 and you'll be fine!

 

I thought about a skid plate but I really don't care much for them. Yes, it would protect my rad but it would still hang below the bumper. I used a custom al- rad on my 84' 5.0 along with a Wyand high flow water pump and a wimpy flex-a-lite pusher fan without any cooling problems; ever. The custom al- rads have vastly superior cooling properties, so down sizing is not an issue. Another issue with a skid plate and the rad underhang is with the loss of approach angle. I know, why am I concerned with angles on a Ranger?

No offense intended; I tend to over analyze everything before I follow through with anything. I really appreciate everyone's input.

 

why dont you want a skid plate i dont get it. do you enjoy slamming your front lower control arm mounts off ****.

 

I agree with that aspect of skid plates. Steering and suspension hardware should be protected because they have to be where they are at to do their job; the rad however, shouldn't be there to begin with. I feel like I shouldn't have to install something to hang down to protect something that doesn't have to be hanging down. Ideally, a raised rad and an up high and tight skid plate would be the best of both worlds. Although I have never broken a suspension or steering component; it could still happen. In fact, I have only twice had mechanical failure while wheeling and had to be towed out only once. The first time was with the 84' 5.0, I kept the 5 speed in it originally when I put the 5.0 in it and on that day it decided to blow into pieces while a couple of miles back into rough country. That day is an entire story in itself. I still only needed a tow out of the rough area that I was in. I had a functional 3rd gear and high range to get me home. The other time that I had mechanical failure, I was taking a 43' Willis out for a test run after putting a modern oiling system on the motor and ended up ripping a brake line off on a rock. With no brakes I still drove home, just really slow.

I have pictures of both vehicles. I just have to find them, then I will post.

 

I don't know of anyone that has put in a different radiator. I've seen peopel reroute those lines but that is it

 

here's the bumper/skid plate i built for my truck. since these pics i have removed the sway bar and rerouted the the transmission lines closer to the frame rails. with having this type of bumper/skid plate i haven't had any problems with the approach angles. plus it's cheap insurance.



this is just a little something to think about.

 

Shane, Looks really good.