ClayBonics

Did a search really did not come up with anything. Replacing the radiator in my '96 Ram Air. Any tips, tricks, recommendations, anything I should watch out for. How much time needed in general? Thanks for the help.

Puck

iTrader: (17)

Very simple and straight forward removal and install.

While you have everything out be sure to clean the low coolant sensor - it commonly gets dirty and gummed up which turns on a false low coolant light.

ClayBonics

I hear ya on the coolant sensor. Thats for the reply

I8ASaleen

iTrader: (9)

Simple. Take off the upper radiator airflow dam, remove the hoses, push the intake elbow donkey dong out of the way, remove radiator.

ClayBonics

Cool, I just wanted to make sure there were no suprises

LSWHO

iTrader: (1)

Be prepared to buy new coolant hoses. They tend to break when moved around. You may not have that problem, but it's a definite possibility.

trilkb

iTrader: (4)

I wouldnt listen to any of these guys....unless you want coolant all over your garage floor

step 1 - Drain radiator - pet **** on bottom passenger side, can be a little stubborn to get loose, i went for accuracy instead of speed so i never took the valve all the way loose, but i got alot of coolant where i wanted it to be lol.

step 2 - follow what these guys said, be gentle with your tranny cooler lines too, dont want to mess those up. and be prepared for more coolant to come out of the lower hoses.


The rad fans come out pretty easy as well, Take off the upper radiator support, not sure on a ram air car but it might be connected with your lower airbox?. Get under the car, and push up on then, then manuver them towards the back of the car and they should slide out with some finess. Your AC condensor also sits in some brackets on the radiator so befor you start yanking make sure you take it out of its holding tabs.

Time wise, Give yourself probably 4 hours, you can probably do it all in under 2, but why rush it. Plus you gotta deal with bleeding the system out.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

Here's my best shot at it:

If your radiator hoses have never been off, invest in a set of coolant hose picks. They are invaluable in removing old hoses without damaging them or the fittings. Not to mention they come in handy for TONS of other things too.

Disconnect battery.
Drain radiator via the petcock on the bottom passenger side of the radiator.
Disconnect oil cooler bypass hose from the bottom driver side of the radiator.
Remove airbox (four thumb screws, one bolt under filter) and disconnect from the MAF. Don't forget to disconnect the IAT.
Disconnect as many hoses as you can get to.
Remove fans. Unplug each motor and set the harness off to the side. Push UP on the entire fan assembly to disengage it from the four tabs that hold it in. It will take some finagling, but rotate it down and out.
Remove the transmission cooler lines, both feed and return. One will need a line wrench, the other just uses a slip-fit clamp.
Remove upper radiator support (3 bolts).
Remove radiator.

speed_demon24

iTrader: (6)

No...

LSWHO

iTrader: (1)

Damn, you're right. Coolant hoses last 4 lifetimes. No need to ever think of replacing them in a 15 year old car.

LSWHO

iTrader: (1)

Added in a step to make draining quicker and so that the next step doesn't result in as much spillage if done in rapid succession.

trilkb

iTrader: (4)

lol im glad my ******* comment got everyone in the mood to nit-pick

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

Mine are original and have been moved around plenty of times. Tell you what, I'll let you move my hose around to see if it breaks. Deal?

LSWHO

iTrader: (1)

You guys are ridiculous. I feel like I'm in third grade talking to you.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

C'mon baby bite my wire...

speed_demon24

iTrader: (6)

If you need help looking for valvespring install write-ups all you have to do is ask...

LSWHO

iTrader: (1)

Still waiting for you to prove me wrong on what i said. It's ok, I know you can't.