Radiator question

[rugerla1]

Well, I've got to replace the radiator in my truck, it's a 1995 K1500 Chevy 4x4. I can find radiator's easy enough, but my question is:

Are there any companies left that make replacements that are direct fit? And I don't mean "direct fit" like all of them say but don't tell you that you have to use reducers/adapters for trans cooler lines. That is not direct fit and pisses me off that they use the words in the description. I want everything to flow like it is supposed to, not be slowed down to go through adapters. Am I out of luck, is it luck of the draw and you take whatever shows up when you order it?

[10-Ring]

I can't give you the answer that you are looking for but I can tell you that the radiators that come from the big auto parts stores are junk and are poorly made.  Bite the bullet and go to NAPA and just get whatever they sell.

[Tempest455]

Quick search:

 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sgt-cu624/overview/year/1995/make/chevrolet/model/k1500

 

Might want to check w/ tech dept and see if it has trans line fittings.

Edited March 20, 2015 by Tempest455

[raildog]

If you are near Nashville try acorn radiator they may be able to repair what you got and will be happy to sell you a new one if that is what you need I use them a lot. Family owned and operated and really great people if you want some more information PM me your phone number and i will give you a call Edited March 20, 2015 by raildog

[peejman]

What's wrong with the one that's in it?  Some shops will refurbish one for a modest cost.  They replace the end caps and dunk it in the acid tank to remove the scale. 

[Ugly]

We are in a different day and age. Quality parts easily found are rare these days unless you go hi end and pay a premium.

I had a 1989 K1500 in 4x4, (fantastic truck) swapped engines and salvaged the radiator. It was a quality radiator. I would get it repaired if it can be, some old school radiator shops do great work.

If it's not salvageable and you plan on keeping the truck, I would go with hi end. You get what you pay for.

[Mike.357]

i have not changed a radiator in many moons but I think if I had to I'd go OEM on it.  Aftermarket is okay for some stuff.

[frankmako]

look for a radiator shop to check if they can rebuild it.  i had two tractor radiators done last year and saved a boat load of money.  a new tractor radiator is big dollar.  we got a old school radiator shop here in chattanooga that has been around since the 50's.  they know what they are doing.  

[bersaguy]

Your 1995 K1500 should still have one of the good radiators and back for many years as a mechanic I used United Radiator Service to have all of my customers radiators repaired. They have done great work for many years and saved folks a ton of money by fixing rather than selling them a new one. They are located at 118 15th Avenue in Nashville about 2 blocks  off interstate at Broadway. Great bunch of folks................just my  :2cents: 

[hipower]

Your 1995 K1500 should still have one of the good radiators and back for many years as a mechanic I used United Radiator Service to have all of my customers radiators repaired. They have done great work for many years and saved folks a ton of money by fixing rather than selling them a new one. They are located at 118 15th Avenue in Nashville about 2 blocks  off interstate at Broadway. Great bunch of folks................just my  :2cents:

 

In a word....Yes, this.

[maroonandwhite]

In a word....Yes, this.

But that's two words. :cool:

[hipower]

But that's two words. :cool:

 

I just knew someone would call me on that! lol

[tercel89]

This is what I do when one of our vehicle's radiators go down.  Go buy you a radiator that fits. I got one at Autozone cheap plain and simple. When installing it,  all you do is mount it to the truck and hook it up to the two water hoses . Dont hook up the Transission lines. Buy a seperate transmission cooler (around $66-$89)  and install the transmission lines to the cooler. This way the transmission fluid is no longer running through the radiator. This way the transmission runs cooler and if the radiatior ever ruptures or fails , you wont get antifreeze inside your engine oil. Also known as the "strawberry milkshake". This seperates your radiator and transmission completly. And all hook-ups use plain simple clamps . There is no adapters needed .

 I do this on all my vehicles.

Edited March 20, 2015 by tercel89

[rugerla1]

Sorry guys, work has had me slammed! There is a crack in the plastic tank that started out as a pinhole and wasn't that big of a deal....till it got worse of course. I talked to Napa via phone in Lavergne and they keep them in stock. I'm going to check one out, after I measure to see if mine is the heavy duty one or not. He said that it does not use the adapter/reducers that I was definitely staying away from.

I'd pondered getting the tank replaced at a shop, but then I worry about the 20 year old other half and how long it will be before it has a crack pop up. I'm also going to call the repair shops that y'all have mentioned (thanks by the way) and see what they say as well. I'll let y'all know what I end up getting done to fix it, I really appreciate the help. I miss brass and copper radiators.....old square body Chevy heaven.

[Rhodewarrior]

I work for a car dealer and if we need an aftermarket radiator we use Keystone.  The ones 

I've used have all been direct fit.

Edited March 21, 2015 by Rhodewarrior

[seez52]

Your 1995 K1500 should still have one of the good radiators and back for many years as a mechanic I used United Radiator Service to have all of my customers radiators repaired. They have done great work for many years and saved folks a ton of money by fixing rather than selling them a new one. They are located at 118 15th Avenue in Nashville about 2 blocks  off interstate at Broadway. Great bunch of folks................just my  :2cents:

Bersaguy....I've got an old Rambler radiator from the 60s that needs repairing. Has a couple cracks in the top tank that I can see, probably other problems too since it hasn't been used in 20+ years. Is the United place capable of doing a repair on old school stuff? I used to get radiators repaired down on Murfreesboro Rd. but they are out of business years ago. It was a nasty place but they did good work.