*fixed* Radiator cracked on plastic, how do I know which radiator I need

[OGManBug]

Hello second post! So my radiator has developed a crack and is pretty much rendering the truck unusable until I replace it which will be today. What I need to know is how do I tell if my radiator needs to come with the oil cooler or not. They are two different dimensions. I’m pretty sure it’s just the radiator but Idk until I pull it off. Currently on the tow truck to my parents garage. Here’s the and pic of the crack. It’s located on the side by the battery under the upper hose connection. Crack bigger than my will to live

 

[OGManBug]

2005 Yukon 5.3 v8

 

[Doubeleive]

2005 Yukon 5.3 v8

any 2000-2014 34" gm radiator, the only difference is if it has a oil cooler or not and if you do not have a oil cooler you can use one with it anyway because the oil cooler section is sectioned off, just like the transmission cooler section is.
so anything from 00-14, whatever is on sale OEM is preferred if the price is right.
people think it takes something specific, it does not.
they all fit the same, bolt up the same, use the same size hoses. don't be fooled.
that all being said there are some gm radiators that are a smidge thicker than others and will presumably cool a smidge better
so one marketed for a ppv or specified as k5l will work great

 

[OGManBug]

any 2000-2014 34" gm radiator, the only difference is if it has a oil cooler or not and if you do not have a oil cooler you can use one with it anyway because the oil cooler section is sectioned off, just like the transmission cooler section is.
so anything from 00-14, whatever is on sale OEM is preferred if the price is right.
people think it takes something specific, it does not.
they all fit the same, bolt up the same, use the same size hoses. don't be fooled.
that all being said there are some gm radiators that are a smidge thicker than others and will presumably cool a smidge better
so one marketed for a ppv or specified as k5l will work great

I was thinking the radiator would be separate. So just to make sure in understanding this correctly. The pigged dimension one is only bigger because it has the oil cooler?

 

[Doubeleive]

the Denso 2219011 is 1.33" thick that's as about as thick as you can get them it's $173.00 on rock auto

 

[Doubeleive]

I was thinking the radiator would be separate. So just to make sure in understanding this correctly. The pigged dimension one is only bigger because it has the oil cooler?

having a oil cooler or not does not determine the width, it's just a option that is generally applied to higher trim levels
if there is no oil cooler that spot is not used.

 

[justirv]

Hello second post! So my radiator has developed a crack and is pretty much rendering the truck unusable until I replace it which will be today. What I need to know is how do I tell if my radiator needs to come with the oil cooler or not. They are two different dimensions. I’m pretty sure it’s just the radiator but Idk until I pull it off. Currently on the tow truck to my parents garage. Here’s the and pic of the crack. It’s located on the side by the battery under the upper hose connection. Crack bigger than my will to live

As @Doubeleive states... I highly recommend going to a 34" wide regardless. It opens up more cooling capacity, and the ability to go with e-fans if you dont have them. Spend the money on an all aluminum quality radiator from a reputable source.

 

[justirv]

having a oil cooler or not does not determine the width, it's just a option that is generally applied to higher trim levels
if there is no oil cooler that spot is not used.

34" also spec'd out in tow packages

 

[OGManBug]

Hello everyone so I went to orileys and got the radiator. The only thing that confused me was they didn’t have any that were 1 1/4 inch thick like the one on the truck. But they had 1 inch and the 34 wide. I went ahead and got it since it came with a warranty so if it failed I could always just get a new one. Fun fact. The radiator was original. Asked my dad and he confirmed same radiator since 284k miles ago. Put new coolant. New top hose since I wanted to replace it anyways. Bled the air out the system got the hot air going and got it parked on a dry cardboard to check for leaks over night.

 

[OGManBug]

Hello everyone so I went to orileys and got the radiator. The only thing that confused me was they didn’t have any that were 1 1/4 inch thick like the one on the truck. But they had 1 inch and the 34 wide. I went ahead and got it since it came with a warranty so if it failed I could always just get a new one. Fun fact. The radiator was original. Asked my dad and he confirmed same radiator since 284k miles ago. Put new coolant. New top hose since I wanted to replace it anyways. Bled the air out the system got the hot air going and got it parked on a dry cardboard to check for leaks over night.

 

[OGManBug]

This is the one I got.

 

[Doubeleive]

have not heard of murray before but lifetime warranty, nothing wrong with that

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Hopefully, it has the restriction (if required for your year/model truck) in the overflow nipple, or you won't be able to get the coolant to the proper temperature.

 

[OGManBug]

Hopefully, it has the restriction (if required for your year/model truck) in the overflow nipple, or you won't be able to get the coolant to the proper temperature.

It had all the same connections for hoses and mounting points. The only difference is it’s just 1 inch thick instead of the 1 1/4 like the original. So far today cooling is same maybe slightly better on the temp 195-197 vs 199-205 before radiator change

 

[Joseph Garcia]

It had all the same connections for hoses and mounting points. The only difference is it’s just 1 inch thick instead of the 1 1/4 like the original. So far today cooling is same maybe slightly better on the temp 195-197 vs 199-205 before radiator change

The restriction is inside the nipple, so not visible, unless you look inside the nipple with a light. But, if your coolant temperatures are about normal after replacement, you are probably OK. Just a point of information on 3rd party radiators that a number of members have encountered during a replacement project.

One other point.... You stated that you replaced 'some' coolant hoses, but implied that you did not change ALL of them. At the age of your truck, if the coolant hoses are original, you have a disaster waiting to happen. The hoses should have a manufacture date on them, so you can check their age. They do deteriorate over time due to the coolant properties and the heat in the engine bay.

 

[OGManBug]

The restriction is inside the nipple, so not visible, unless you look inside the nipple with a light. But, if your coolant temperatures are about normal after replacement, you are probably OK. Just a point of information on 3rd party radiators that a number of members have encountered during a replacement project.

One other point.... You stated that you replaced 'some' coolant hoses, but implied that you did not change ALL of them. At the age of your truck, if the coolant hoses are original, you have a disaster waiting to happen. The hoses should have a manufacture date on them, so you can check their age. They do deteriorate over time due to the coolant properties and the heat in the engine bay.

View attachment 481584

There’s one hose that needs to be replaced on the cooling system. It’s the thin one coming from the radiator to the coolant tank. It’s really skinny hose. All the other hoses , t fittings on the fire wall, and pump/radiator return hoses have been replaced. It’s just that skinny one that needs going. My next project is going to be diagnosing the A/C. Another day!

 

[LsHart]

The difference is the line connections on both sides of the rad. If u have connections in both sides of the rad then u have an extra cooler option. If just on the passenger side then no. Standard rad