I haven't had to buy a new radiator in YEARS, and so I have some questions about the Blazer's radiator and my options for a new one. This is for a bone-stock '01 4.3L. The top/side is cracked on it, time for a new one evidently. Just over 100k on the truck.

1.) Is the stock radiator a single row?
2.) Is there an 'upgrade' I should consider? (didn't really have cooling issues that I know of w/the stock one I guess)
3.) Should I buy locally or online?
4.) Is there any brand I should stay away from?

The last time I bought a new rad it was from a local specialty shop that sold cooling parts, but don't even remember the name of that place anymore or know if they're still around. So I called around to the normal chain parts stores to see what brand/warranty/pricing is. They're all pretty close in price, sans Napa & Car Quest being $20 higher on theirs. All seem to carry a limited-lifetime warranty though. Brands were Spectra, TuffOne/Ready Rad, and Murray. Looking online at RockAuto, they offer a "Spectra premium" for just under $100, a "Vista-Pro" $126.79, A "Nissens" $168.79, and an ACDelco.. for $224.79.

Is the ACDelco really that much better than any of the others? Taking the listed PN of 20837 and looking on Amazon, I start to get confused because Amazon says the 20837 will NOT fit when I plug in the info .. Huh?
Am I okay with any of the other brands off R/A or locally? Or should I spring for the spendy ACDelco... which has conflicting fitment depending on where I look .

While I'm at it.. may as well get a new water pump too. So do I want an ACDelco replacement (which by now I imagine is a China part) or am I okay with whatever any of the local parts stores offer there?

Thanks for any experience/advice!

 

The radiator is single core it usualy provides siffucient cooling.Maybe you could add an electric fan for better cooling.As for which brand is better I don't know if napa is a better one but it will cost you more this I know.You can buy localy and or online.Its probably going to set you back estimated $150

 

Like you, I have a bone stock '01 4.3L, mine is 2WD.

Last September, the Blazer had around 195K and I had a leak on the top driver's side and replaced mine with a "ToughOne" from Advance Auto. One reason I went with Advance is because I had a pending $25 coupon from a previous order that was about to expire. The Radiator was (and still is ) $130 before the discount. I've put nearly 15 K on it and have not had any problems with it at all (leaking or overheating). I recommend it.

While you're at it, I'd flush everything real good including the heater core, mine was clogged and this was discovered when we had single digit temps one morning!

 

I doubt there is much difference in brands of radiators, but one piece of advice for when you get it; before installing it, make sure the fittings that screw into the plastic tanks for the oil or trans fluid coolers are nice and tight.

I replaced the radiator a couple of years ago and thought I had blown the plastic tank seal and was in the process of taking the radiator out only to find that one of the fittings had come loose.

A few taps with a screwdriver and a hammer and all was good.

 

Thanks for the replies so far!
I figured it may be, don't recall where I came across it but one of the replacements actually stated "single core" so I just wanted to check to make sure that wasn't a step down. I wasn't considering Napa really.. though I called to see what pricing was - $150. The corner garage mentioned that they've had some issues with Napa radiators once in a while, but theirs are Spectra brand, as well as Car Quest, so I'm not sure if it's just them or what.
Thanks for the input. As for flushing - I'm good there. The intake gaskets were done not quite 6 months ago and it was flushed then and a new stat put in as well. The heater core itself has been flushed once for sure that I recall.. and like you I found out it was getting gummed up when it started getting pretty cold out and I started getting luke-warm at best out of the vents. After the back flush of the heater core though, that sucker is back to heating the hell out of a person in the winter between the heat and heated seats. It's the truck's best attribute IMO.
Noted about the fittings, thanks!