2004 TJ 4.0 Straight 6 Radiator

[Cedarhouse]

My 2004 TJ 4.0 straight 6 engine's radiator is blown open at the top (Plastic) What is the correct part number for this radiator? Just get it at AutoZone? Also, Will a 4 row fit or should I even use a 4 row? Is an aluminum radiator better? Live in Redlands Ca

 

[CharlesHS]

You didn't mention whether you have an AT or MT, but here are the OEM PNs (55037 652AA, 653AB or 654AB) for your year TJ 4.0L.

 

[Link]

Good luck finding an OE one.

I, and many others, have had good results with Denso radiators. There are some other decent ones out there too. I’ve had good luck with Denso radiators in my Jeep and many many other vehicles as well. Do NOT mix coolants. Make sure you flush out ALL old coolant before refilling unless you know FOR SURE what’s in there.

 

[Cedarhouse]

i

Automatic, Thanks

 

[macleanflood]

A little light reading...

Thread 'Jeep Wrangler TJ Cooling System Overhaul FAQ'

Jan 23, 2017

Should I replace my entire cooling system at once?
It's a wise thing to do, yes. Let's say you buy a used Jeep Wrangler TJ with 100k plus miles on it. Well, first and foremost you have to know that as I'm writing this in 2017, your vehicle is anywhere between 20 years old (if it was made in 1997) to 11 years old (if it was made in 2006). Either way, if you have no record of the cooling system having been replaced, then you're on your stock cooling system, and even if the miles are lower, that's still a lot of time for a cooling system. Plastic and rubber wear out over time, as...

• Chris
• Replies: 331
• Forum: TJ Resources

• 

-Mac

 

[Harold&Cat]

I went with a Koyorad , but Denso was my next choice .

Good info in this thread :

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/radiator-exploded.85438/

 

[mrblaine]

Good luck finding an OE one.

I, and many others, have had good results with Denso radiators. There are some other decent ones out there too. I’ve had good luck with Denso radiators in my Jeep and many many other vehicles as well. Do NOT mix coolants. Make sure you flush out ALL old coolant before refilling unless you know FOR SURE what’s in there.

Mac like this even though the last time he recommended Denso I posted a link to the thread about the gent who lives very near to our OP and all of his struggles with the poor performing Denso in our part of the world. Mac should know better and he should be posting that link so folks who live where it matters won't try to use that piece of shit.

 

[macleanflood]

I've got a Napa sourced Spectra my previous owner installed. I've replaced just about everything else in my cooling system. So, agreed,no personal experience with Denso.

That being said it appears that most folks are happy enough with them...and the cost is low enough it's not unreasonable to throw one or two at the Jeep.

@mrblaine is correct about that post.

Really wish there were better solutions and it would be lovely to crowd source data points rather than subjective stories of success or failure.

-Mac

Edit: here is the post I think we're talking about...

Thread 'Overheating problem'

Jun 29, 2024

Hows it going fellas. I've got an overheating problem with my 1997 TJ 4.0 5 speed. 4.88 gearing on 35s.

My Tj has a brand new motor in it with probably only 2-3k miles on it. When my shop put the new 4.0 in, they replaced every part of the cooling system. Radiator, pump, thermostat, hoses etc are all new.

Since its started to heat up in california and we're into the 90s now, I've been taking my jeep on some longer drives. I've also been using the air conditioning. After about 45 minutes of highway driving (65-75 mph) my gauge reads at 230, and then eventually moves into the bottom part...

• Dvaniwaarden11
• Replies: 228
• Forum: TJ General Discussion

 

[mrblaine]

Really wish there were better solutions and it would be lovely to crowd source data points rather than subjective stories of success or failure.

-Mac

I once had a gent move down here from Washington who wheeled extensively up in that area. He stayed with us a bit and on the second day he mentioned that he was having to drive to the store in the evenings after it cooled down some due to overheating in his TJ with the heater on full blast. WTF? Didn't you have the problem up in WA? No, it was just fine up there with no issues, never ran hot. But, I can't even drive it during the day down here or it goes into the red with the check gauges crap in very short order.

Point being, without location, the crowd source data is useless and leads to recommendations of that Denso piece of shit to folks that live where they need a radiator that actually works and Redlands is one of those places.

 

[oldjeepman]

I just installed a Koyorad A2102 in my 06. the factory one lasted 19yrs. Bought on rockauto

 

[macleanflood]

Point being, without location, the crowd source data is useless.

Exactly why you need hard data points and consistent ones to do any scientific or statistical analysis. Ambient temperature, coolant temperature before and after the radiator. Underhood temperatures. Engine data like RPM, timing and exhaust temperatures. Airflow. Altitude. Probably just getting started listing data points.

Probably all breaks down to delta...

The magic of the original Mopar radiator that lasted 15 plus years seems to be lost to time.

Same issue with crosscut saws...we use the old ones from the 1890s to 1930s because they hold sharpness for a few seasons. New saws need sharpening every outing and sometimes every log. When chainsaws came out everyone discarded the knowledge of how to make those original saws.

-Mac

 

[mrblaine]

Exactly why you need hard data points and consistent ones to do any scientific or statistical analysis. Ambient temperature, coolant temperature before and after the radiator. Underhood temperatures. Engine data like RPM, timing and exhaust temperatures. Airflow. Altitude. Probably just getting started listing data points.



-Mac

Nope, you don't need any of that shit. All you need is location, a reasonable understanding of the area's heat demands placed on the system and then what radiator is working and you need more than a statistical sample of 1.

 

[ColoJeep]

Nope, you don't need any of that shit. All you need is location, a reasonable understanding of the area's heat demands placed on the system and then what radiator is working and you need more than a statistical sample of 1.

What radiator has worked for you , in your part of the world ? ( I will go out on a limb with this statistical sample of one ) . Thanks.

 

[mrblaine]

What radiator has worked for you , in your part of the world ? ( I will go out on a limb with this statistical sample of one ) . Thanks.

We've worked on more than a few dozen TJ cooling systems. We have a 100% success rate with all Mopar parts. We have worked on a few rigs with other than Mopar, 1 of the 3 was fine after several years. The 1 was the 2nd non Mopar radiator in the same rig, the 1st one failed miserably, the 2nd worked but no one should ever run it because it is or was retarded. It was designed and built in a rig that didn't have AC. They pushed the core into the space taken up by the condenser so if you ran it with AC, you had to space the radiator back. If you spaced it back, then you couldn't install it with the grill in place.

 

[cb4017]

My original radiator blew it's top a few months ago. I ended up replacing it with a Denso radiator from Rock Auto.

My TJ is MT. Radiator was for an auto but still works fine. I did leave the plastic shipping plugs in the tranny cooling line ports.

No problem keeping my TJ cool this summer in the NV desert.

 

[ColoJeep]

We've worked on more than a few dozen TJ cooling systems. We have a 100% success rate with all Mopar parts. We have worked on a few rigs with other than Mopar, 1 of the 3 was fine after several years. The 1 was the 2nd non Mopar radiator in the same rig, the 1st one failed miserably, the 2nd worked but no one should ever run it because it is or was retarded. It was designed and built in a rig that didn't have AC. They pushed the core into the space taken up by the condenser so if you ran it with AC, you had to space the radiator back. If you spaced it back, then you couldn't install it with the grill in place.

Thanks ! It doesn't surprise me that a MFG. would build a radiator incorrect. But thanks for the heads up . I wonder if they built 2 different radiators for
A/C vs. non A/C applications ? It seems odd that they would if the cores were the same thickness . Additionally , if the A/C core cooled properly , why the hell build something different for non A/C apps ? Thanks for your desert cooling views Blaine.

 

[mrblaine]

Thanks ! It doesn't surprise me that a MFG. would build a radiator incorrect. But thanks for the heads up . I wonder if they built 2 different radiators for
A/C vs. non A/C applications ? It seems odd that they would if the cores were the same thickness . Additionally , if the A/C core cooled properly , why the hell build something different for non A/C apps ? Thanks for your desert cooling views Blaine.

Northern Radiator

 

[Willys LJ]

I’m running a CSF brass/copper and here in NW Tenn no issues