My Jeep runs hot when temps are above 80 degrees. I've replaced every part of the cooling system and it is no help. I'm tired of not being able to use the AC in the summer... when I need it!
I believe our radiators just don't cool well enough. And I've heard mixed reviews about the Fluidyne radiators.
After a Google search for "custom radiators" I called Wizard Cooling. The guy was just uploading the pages for their new radiator for the WK1 Jeeps.
My sentiment exactly! I just changed the original radiator on my 06 and thought our only choice was that and the Fluidyne which is near impossible to find. However, Fluidyne had a problem with electrolytic corrosion inside their radiator which caused failures and they never fully solved it. I hope these guys have so we have another viable option.
Yes as soon as you get it I want outside temps along with hard runs and a.c. on and everything I must know if this is the radiator that cools my baby down in these hot humid Florida summers
Are you guys actually overheating?
Buffalo isn't known for its heatwaves... but 90+ in the summer isn't unheard of.
The Jeep always ran "hot" but never overheated. There are several threads on here simply stating that the vehicle is designed to run over 200* and that it may feel or look weird to most of us because we are used to 160 or 180* thermostats and trying to stay under 200. Unless you're actually experiencing problems, I wouldn't let 200+ degrees in traffic on a hot day scare you even a little.
If you've already done the thermostat and adjusted the fans accordingly, and you still have HIGH temps - have at it. I just don't want everyone to think they need this stuff because they are scared of 200* temps.
What exactly designs it to run at 215? The tune? If the thermostat and fans are set to come on at a lower temp, but the radiator/fan simply cannot dissipate the heat adequately... that is a problem. And I believe that is THE problem.
If this radiator doesn't fix the problem I am ditching the factory computer control and getting a DC Controller from Welcome to Delta Current Control
My Jeep runs stronger at a lower temp and I can tell it gets sluggish when hot.
A 180 stat will improve resistance to knock and allow the truck to make more power, maybe?
A tuner may chime in eventually, some of them prefer the colder stat.
The UPS guy dropped off the radiator at 5pm today. I finished installing it by 10. I also installed a 1-piece upper radiator hose and 180 thermostat curtesy of SPEEDDEMON. Earlier today I was running to nearly 230 degrees. After installing the new radiator, letting it warm up, and going for a good drive I never got above 177! I'd say my problem is solved!
Everything went well, especially for no instructions and figuring this out myself. 2 issues tho: 1. The overflow fitting on the new radiator is not present. There is a threaded hole, but nothing for my hose to attach to! So I put a screw and nut with some rubber material on the back to seal it through the hole for now until I get a better solution. It doesn't leak but in effect have no overflow for now. Issue #2 is the fan shroud does not sit flush against the new radiator. I'm not sure what the deal is but there is a good 1/4 or 1/2" gap from the radiator face. It may not be a big deal, as my temps are WAY WAY down. Also, since the radiator is thicker and the fan is closer to the engine, my Cold Air Intake tube is a bit squished. I may have to trim the shroud.
The Wizard radiator is easily twice as thick as the old one. It looks so great! My cooling system holds at least 2 whole containers of antifreeze now. That's about 50% more than before.
You have to re-use the "bushings" from your old radiator (2 circular ones at the top and 2 square ones at the bottom).
The radiator fit great. Pulling the fan and old radiator out was a PITA but could have been worse. I found when re-installing, once you get the radiator and fan in the engine bay it is much easier to get under the Jeep and massage them into place than from above. I have some $25 AutoZone ramps that I drove the front wheels up onto and that gave me plenty of room to work under the Jeep.
My initial impression is: I'm super happy with the Wizard radiator!
Trimming the fan shroud for the 1-piece radiator hose. I used a dremel. Worked pretty well. Then I split a vacuum hose and used it to cover the edges and make it look nicer. I also had to hack off about 2" of the 1-piece hose (the end that goes into the water pump).
The bottom 2 bolts that attach the AC condenser to the radiator gave me problems because there is not much clearance without taking off the front bumper cover (which I did not do). It was the hardest part of the install. I threw my wrench across the garage. But I managed to get it done. I will admit, the driver's side seems to be stripped.
The last pic is the bushings you have to re-use from your old radiator. The attach to the bottom of the radiator. I found this out the hard way.
First pic shows the upper radiator bushings you have to re-use from your original radiator. They are circular. The long screws will not screw in all the way without them. I found that out the hard way.
2nd pic shows the fill tube/whatever it is called where the radiator cap goes. You can see the threaded hole where there should be a bung for the overflow tube to attach to. I'll call Wizard tomorrow and ask WTF.
The rest of the pics are from under the Jeep of how the fan shroud mates to the radiator. It sits a bit away from it towards the corners. Probably not as bad as I initially described.
Thermostat install. I accidentally put my original one back in and had to re-do it after re-filling the radiator. Suck.
You can see how I trimmed the fan shroud for the 1-piece radiator hose. It worked great when I had the stock radiator, but I need to re-do it for the thicker radiator.
Last pic you can see where I put a bolt and nut through the radiator overflow hole to seal it up. Seems to be working for now... no leaks. I'll get a real fix soon.
Excellent job. Now the true tests should begin highest recorded temp under heavy load and during high ambient temp. Plus before I buy one I want to make sure they don't fall apart like fluidynes. But it looks good great review keep us posted about anything new.