2.5 Gen Radiator

[Swift_45a]

So, long story short I used Therma-cure and we had a surprise snow storm in September that caused the top core to crack/leak, I've tried to replace it with the ones recommended from Rock Auto (who will no longer deliver to my state due to taxation using thier part numbers). They're all made in China and do not line up at all with the mounting brackets on one side, making it nearly impossible to install as the threaded side would have to be damaged.

So, the original Denso unit is nearly impossible to track down and I already have experience with Mitsubishi US' long delays from Atlanta and I'm going to avoid that.

My question is, who/where should I talk to about it getting it pressure tested and welded? There aren't and cooling/radiator specific shops anywhere near me, and If I'm going to pull the radiator for 6th time (not joking) I want to make sure it gets done correctly.

Has anyone had to do this?

 

[Salonika]

My Rock Auto China radiator is 7 years old and working great. Maybe they changed suppliers.

 

[Inyo_man]

Check out CSF
It looks like they make an all metal one for the '94 - '99 Montero.
I put one of their all metal radiators in my kid's '86 Toyota p/u (solid product IMHO)
CSF part # 3050 to replace OEM part #890951

Copper Radiators from CSF

Copper Radiators are an excellent choice for drivers looking for more performance. Learn more now about our industry-leading cooling products.

csfimports.com

Cheers

 

[PacS14]

Check out CSF
It looks like they make an all metal one for the '94 - '99 Montero.
I put one of their all metal radiators in my kid's '86 Toyota p/u (solid product IMHO)
CSF part # 3050 to replace OEM part #890951

Copper Radiators from CSF

Copper Radiators are an excellent choice for drivers looking for more performance. Learn more now about our industry-leading cooling products.

csfimports.com

Cheers

Man I might have to call them and see how much are they, I clicked on their link and just takes me to carpart and.of course is not even listed there.

 

[MummifiedCircuitry]

I've been using a Spectra brand one for 5+ years with zero issues, I think they're about $130.

 

[Swift_45a]

I've been using a Spectra brand one for 5+ years with zero issues, I think they're about $130.

From what year? I can get the drivers side to line up but the passangers side that requires the bolts to go in is off by 1/2'' at least.

I'm not sure if Spectra changed the dimensions in their recent batches but there was no way that was going to fit without extensive modification.

Man I might have to call them and see how much are they, I clicked on their link and just takes me to carpart and.of course is not even listed there.

CSF Radiators Radiator | 3050

Radiators by CSF Radiator 3050 CSF 3050 Radiator No Core Charge Required Parts Interchange 3050 3050 11537057590 115 37057 590}

frsport.com

It was $258 shipped, from FRsports out of SoCal, its steep by comparison to the other Chinese units but honestly if its comparable to the Denso unit then I'll be satisfied if it fits at this point.

 

[MummifiedCircuitry]

I put it in a 97 SR, cant you elongate the hole or make a little bracket for the side that does'nt line up?

 

[Swift_45a]

There is snow already and I was more inclined to get the Denso unit welded then to try and mess around with a Chinese radiator. I'm really hoping this CSF unit works out of the box because I have to haul some stuff before the snow gets really heavy.

 

[dos531]

If you can find an old school radiator shop they will be able to fix it like new. Get it rodded out while you're at it.

 

[Swift_45a]

If you can find an old school radiator shop they will be able to fix it like new. Get it rodded out while you're at it.

Seems like I'm going to have to do that, FRSports just emailed me saying they're out of radiators and have no ETA on when they'll get any more.

 

[MummifiedCircuitry]

Try local junkyard?

 

[PacS14]

I'm on the same boat, I think there's a company here in Houston that can do made to order I might go ask what the price is for that whenever I get a chance since I'm swamped with a long to do list.

 

[Inyo_man]

Flex-a-lite makes several universal radiators that could possibly work... they are quite pricey, but are solidly built.

 

[Swift_45a]

Flex-a-lite makes several universal radiators that could possibly work... they are quite pricey, but are solidly built.

I'll keep my Denso unit this rig dies; the shop did a good job and replaced the top part, but some how messed up my petcock/bleed valve and it was sealed up. Total was $120 with a 2 day turn around, so I was satisfied after all the BS I had been through with 3 returns and 3 canceled orders. It's in the rig now and working well and I finally got around to adjusting my belts correctly now that the clutch fan can be put back in.
I'm sad to say but this is further evidence that since Mitsubishi US is pretty much a non-priority for Nissan during these incredibly bad financial and corporate issues, its clear more of these rigs are going to end up in the junkyard over simple repairs. Many already died from neglect when Mitsubishi still supplied parts to the US, but when parts are this hard for even an enthusiast to track down and repair its safe to say that the recipient of the family's hand-me down Montero isn't going to bother putting in a fraction of the effort and would rather junk it. We can only hope someone like ICON decides to restore these to their former glory as they have with Landcruisers, but somehow I doubt that will happen.

I knew when Japan stopped making them we had entered the end of the Pajero/Montero era, and I kind of welcomed it in some perverse way. But after all the pain repairing the crankshaft sprocket/pulley/bolt back and forth dealing with Mitsubishi US in Atlanta this summer I'm not sure I can justify owning it much longer if a simple repair takes nearly a month of trial and error for parts that 'may' fit a Montero along with 40 other chassis.

After owning 3 Monteros over the past 10 years I think its become too much of a liability to justify. I'm not saying the Cybertruck will be the best replacement, but after the kinks are worked out I hope it will be at least 80% as capable as my Montero(s) have been, if so I'll be satisfied.

 

[PacS14]

I'll keep my Denso unit this rig dies; the shop did a good job and replaced the top part, but some how messed up my petcock/bleed valve and it was sealed up. Total was $120 with a 2 day turn around, so I was satisfied after all the BS I had been through with 3 returns and 3 canceled orders. It's in the rig now and working well and I finally got around to adjusting my belts correctly now that the clutch fan can be put back in.
I'm sad to say but this is further evidence that since Mitsubishi US is pretty much a non-priority for Nissan during these incredibly bad financial and corporate issues, its clear more of these rigs are going to end up in the junkyard over simple repairs. Many already died from neglect when Mitsubishi still supplied parts to the US, but when parts are this hard for even an enthusiast to track down and repair its safe to say that the recipient of the family's hand-me down Montero isn't going to bother putting in a fraction of the effort and would rather junk it. We can only hope someone like ICON decides to restore these to their former glory as they have with Landcruisers, but somehow I doubt that will happen.

I knew when Japan stopped making them we had entered the end of the Pajero/Montero era, and I kind of welcomed it in some perverse way. But after all the pain repairing the crankshaft pulley/bolt back and forth dealing with Mitsubishi US in Atlanta this summer I'm not sure I can justify owning it much longer if a simple repair takes nearly a month of trial and error for parts that 'may' fit a Montero along with 40 other chassis.

After owning 3 Monteros over the past 10 years I think its become too much of a liability to justify. I'm not saying the Cybertruck will be the best replacement, but after the kinks are worked out I hope it will be at least 80% as capable as my Montero(s) have been, if so I'll be satisfied.

The Cyber truck is the best replacement? I mean I don't see how it'll be close to being as capable to the Montero, but if I were to buy one I wouldn't do the things I do or drive it through the same trails I drive the Montero that's for sure. I mean most overlanding I've seen people do is mainly dirt's roads and forestry roads, so I would hope the Cyber truck would do that just like any other non 4WD vehicle. I drive through mud, heavy brush, etc (no rock crawling since I live in east Texas lol), but I definitely wouldn't do that with a brand new vehicle lol I'm not rich so I would have to get a loan, that automatically turns it into a DD/mall crawler for me lol