Installing a Champion aluminum radiator in a CJ3A

[F Bill]

Did Jeff ever reply to you about the fit issues?

[Carls_jeep]

No he hasn't and I have not called him because I wanted to do some heat testing before I called him. I think I'll call him tomorrow rather than emailing him. They do a good job for sure but with all the issues of installing a side mount I would suggest using the bottom mount and welding tabs on the lower cross member to mount it. If you do that it's just a drop in fit. Mac's bottom mount radiator without a shroud is doing as good as mine.

[Carls_jeep]

Today I called Jeff at Champion Radiator and after some discussion I realized this radiator may only fit from the CJ3B and newer Jeeps because the 3B has a higher hood because of the OHV engine. He agreed that may be the case and that they assumed it would also fit the CJ2A and CJ3A which it won't.

He said they would look into it and revise the list of what it fits and possibly produce a side mount radiator that will fit the CJ2A and CJ3A. He seemed willing to do the follow up so we'll just have to see what they do.

In the mean time I know and he admits that the radiator won't work without modifying it like I did and that the filler spout will have to be moved as well as the top outlet.

[Carls_jeep]

I got a look at a CJ5 Jeep yesterday and the radiator sold to me as fitting a CJ3A appears to be a drop in fit for the CJ5. I looked at photos of the CJ3B and saw they use the same radiator as the CJ3A.

So, in light of this I can say for sure the side mount radiator that Champion sells for the CJ3A is actually for the CJ5 and newer Jeeps. It will not be a drop in fit in the CJ3B or the CJ3A.