When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Christine has posted her research on radiators and eventually built a custom two row radiator because she tows a boat in mountainous terrain. Many people on this list may not need such a Heavy Duty rad. but would like a well made, high performance rad. that bolts in like a stock one does with all the stock fittings for trans cooler and oil cooler. Her initial research came up with such a product for the 2nd Gen. Blazer/GMC Jimmy, S10 pick up, and so on. Don't delete the trans or oil cooler.
The price for a stock style, single row radiator and free shipping is---$126.99. The company is Performance Rad. in Seattle WA. I should say that I have not tried this product because my rad. is working well. I should go ahead and get one because sooner or later I will need one. Please let me know if this site doesn't pop up when you click below.
The radiator that Christine bought (and subsequently "customized") was an all-aluminum 2-row unit from Engineered Cooling Products.
After reading her write-up, I bought the same one, and have been extremely happy with it. It costs a little more than a stock radiator, but it's very well made and has no problem keeping my engine nice and cool, even when rock crawling in 100-degree weather. I have a manual transmission and no oil cooler, so I didn't need to modify mine.
Last edited by Tom A; Jul 14, 2021 at 10:25 AM.
Reason: Fixed typo
Thanks, Tom A. , for your comment. I realize the two row radiator is much better for towing and other extreme use than the stock single row. But I am looking for an easy to bolt in radiator that will fit like the stock one, but offer a little better cooling and reliability. I don't have a heavy boat and SC is pretty flat in the mid lands where I live. I think the H.D. one that Christine came up with was pretty complicated to install in the stock mounts, IIRC. I did have some cooling issues, but they went away when I installed a new NAPA water pump.
I will read up on your build to see how the rock crawling is going. I went to Moab, Utah last October and enjoyed seeing all the off road 4 wheelers and dirt bikes, and Jeeps from stock to wild. It was a whole new world for me. I rode in a Can Am turbo with 4WD. Too much fun.
Did somebody say Moab? This is from last year. I'd love to own a side-by-side, but it really isn't in my budget.
I hear the aluminum radiator requires some trimming of the plastic hold-down, but I made an aluminum one and used electric fans, so I don't know. It did fit the stock lower mount, though. I just had to slightly bend the bracket for the A/C condenser lines because it was rubbing against the corner of the radiator but, other than that, I didn't do much.
Honestly, the stock-type radiator is probably fine for 99% of Blazer owners (me included), but I thought the aluminum one was cool, and it wasn't THAT expensive. Sometimes, you just have to splurge.
Holy Smoke ! I am ready to go back today except for the extreme heat out there now and the cost of transportation. The group I went with go once in the spring and once in the fall. They live in Denver and can drive over. They have planned carefully ,but the weather can be unpredictable. Snow, rain storms, or heat when you plan far ahead. I think that just adds to the fun. It's like going for a vacation on Mars ! That's a reference to 'Total Recall'.
BlazenRed, You said your recent rad. mtce was a little involved, and you went overboard. Would you explain what you did or send link if you have already posted a write up. I would like to hear and see through your great photo's what you have done. Thanks, Jim in famously HOT midlands of SC !
This is from last year. I'd love to own a side-by-side, but it really isn't in my budget.
