Replacing a Gladiator 327 Radiator

[jeep ranch]

After looking for some time for a replacement with out any luck, and considering the sad shape my radiator tanks were in, along with the expense (300 if they could use my tanks and patch them up), I decided to go another route. Doing the research, it was obvious there was not a readily available inexpensive aluminum aftermarket radiator that was a plug and play, I came up with this one. It was priced right and seems to be well constructed. Three row, suitable for my needs (cummins 4bt).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261265461938?ss ... 1439.l2649


I did away with the water pump mounted fan, shroud and adapted a Taurus Fan (electric). The replacement radiator is for a mid 70s CJ v8 and is about 3/4 of an inch narrower than the stock Gladiator, height was 1/2 inch taller. Also the aluminum replacement was ~1/2 inch thicker. Mods were simple, a flat piece of 1/8 steel, 4 holes in the steel adapter and two extra holes in the other side of the radiator and I was in business. Here is the result. After driving it for a few days its cooling better than expected, the temp has yet to break 175 without the fan. and going up a long steep hill. Next summer will be the discriminator.

rad 1.JPG

rad 2.JPG

rad 3.JPG

[Stuka]

I have never looked close enough at a gladiator radiator before. Will a 70/80's radiator not mount up? Several aluminum radiators that fit those.

But looks like your setup worked out pretty well.

[jeep ranch]

I have never looked close enough at a gladiator radiator before. Will a 70/80's radiator not mount up? Several aluminum radiators that fit those.

But looks like your setup worked out pretty well.

The V8 Glads had a bastard size, Ive heard the 350 Glads have a similar problem, but Ive never tackled it, so I dont know details. Another solution is to change the core support to J10 size, but this was effective and less work, and dollars.

[Tad]

Ive heard the 350 Glads have a similar problem

Not sure about the Glad's but the 350 Wag's have a different tilt to them vs the 360 versions.
I used an '85 Wag core support in my '70, ran a couple of shims to get the tilt correct from 2002 to 2012.
When finishing up the Caddy swap I cut the brackets and welded them for the correct orientation.

[jeep ranch]

Ive heard the 350 Glads have a similar problem

Not sure about the Glad's but the 350 Wag's have a different tilt to them vs the 360 versions.
I used an '85 Wag core support in my '70, ran a couple of shims to get the tilt correct from 2002 to 2012.
When finishing up the Caddy swap I cut the brackets and welded them for the correct orientation.

that must be the issue, no reason for the wag supports to be different than the Jtrucks

[jeep ranch]

I have never looked close enough at a gladiator radiator before. Will a 70/80's radiator not mount up? Several aluminum radiators that fit those.

But looks like your setup worked out pretty well.

BTW, both sizes of 70s/80s Radiators are too large to fit the opening

[Gladi8r]

Why did you do away with the water pump fan? Would it have hit the new rad? How'd you get the electric fan to "stick" to the new rad?