Shredded radiator anyone?

[Ryan_M]

For those of you who watched the "Snow Day" video I posted a couple weeks back you may have caught a clacking sound after my second blast through that snow bank.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGgolZpbxYI&feature=share&list=UUnNfMHcFcLqxBypYM8jHm1A[/media]

That was actually my third blast - I got stuck the first time and ended up snapping off the bumper mounted lift ring pulling the Jeep out with my truck. Anyways, that "clacking" sound was a result of the compacted snow pushing the radiator back into the fan. I thought it had just nicked the shroud but closer inspection today reveals much more critical damage.





Note to any drivers of Jeeps with bottom mount radiators: Be sure the support rod is not missing from your rig before you crash through large snowbanks like an idiot.

[Gunslinger]

Ryan,
I've got a pretty good radiator sitting on the shelf, it could use a new home...

[Ryan_M]

Ryan,
I've got a pretty good radiator sitting on the shelf, it could use a new home...

Is it a match for my shredded one?

I'm taking it to the shop tomorrow to see what it'll cost to repair. I had planned on taking it in anyways for a thorough cleaning but it'll be a bit more than that now....if it can be repaired at all.

I'll weigh the fix vs. replace options once I get a price from the shop.

[Gunslinger]

Ryan,
I've got a pretty good radiator sitting on the shelf, it could use a new home...

Is it a match for my shredded one?

Hard to say from the photo, I think the center mount on mine is a bolt hole dead center, not a threaded rod, and the inlet on mine is straight not an elbow.  Mine is a 3A radiator.

[Ryan_M]

I'd like to either repair this or find another M38 radiator....but once I start hearing prices a 3A radiator may not look so bad. Stay tuned.

[Quebec Jeep]

Lol! 

Is it Garage Gnome driving his beater truck that inspire you?

[Ryan_M]

If I keep following Nate's lead on driving habits I better catch up to his repair abilities too. They seem to go hand-in-hand.

[garage gnome]

Hey, that truck is mint! It survived crashing into the frozen dirt pile! The rear bumper fell off and the frame is all bent, but she keeps on going!

For those who missed it on facebook, here it is!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=701108163253227&l=4398662988168773706

[garage gnome]

[F Bill]

Nate if you scrap that truck I want the Mass Pike sign off the door. 

[garage gnome]

It is a sticker I found when working at the MA DOT one day.

[Carls_jeep]

Ryan, your missing a mounting bolt on the bottom of the radiator and need to replace it.

[Ryan_M]

Ryan, your missing a mounting bolt on the bottom of the radiator and need to replace it.

You mean the one just below the hose connection and drain valve? It's there, it just got chopped out of the picture.

[Jeff_M]

We used to have problems plowing snow with CJ5's.  If you hit an immovable object (like a curb) and the plow didn't trip over it, the fan would go right through the radiator.  It happened to two CJ5's that I knew about. 

I did indeed hear that clicking after the second snowbank thrashing, and wondered.....  :-)

[Ryan_M]

The radiator is back and my wallet is considerably lighter than it was when I started the day. The top tank was repaired but the core had to be replaced. I have a new support rod waiting to be installed along with the radiator this time.