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Idahome
Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018
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These old 80's rangers with a 5.0 REALLY need more capacity if you want to run at 180-190 degrees all day long no matter what, like 100 out in Moab in low range with AC on, or sitting on a hot highway in stop and go traffic, at idle.......
I have tried several different units, currently I run the ebay 3 core mexico built 90 Ranger 4.0 unit with auto trans cooler. IT works okay, but I do see 215 degrees in the summer with AC on..... tooo hot for my taste.
I paid $650 for a "custom" Ron Davis radiator when I first did my 5.0 conversion (2005), Turned out to be just a Ford Nascar tank he already produced, he welded tabs on it so I could mount it. My BII the thermostat would open (180) and the truck would run at 185-195 ALL DAY no matter what!
Unfortunately for me the Ron Davis unit lasted 3 months before it developed internal leaks. He would not warranty it, slippery slope there, it could have easily been my poor mounting method back then. Wanting to save $$$ and not be stuck with a custom tank, I started using the v6 units....they cool OK but not good enough. Also with my truck the PCM NEEDS TO SEE 198-205 degrees to switch to closed loop, so I should have run a 195 thermo (hindsight)
So I plan to go back to a Ford Nascar sized tank and this time properly mount it, now days you can get these online for like $200
Nowday's I can also tig weld so I can mount my own tabs... I have been meaning to revisit this cooling mod on my BII AND a 84 ranger I built for a friend (Darth Ranger) we both are 4x4 and have AC..... that will likely happen next summer
My BII core support has been modified to tuck the 4.0 radiator under the support. I cut the bottom out and made a custom crossmember that picks up the bottom two "pegs" of the factory 4.0 radiator. I run a 18# radiator cap on the main tank and a 13# cap on the filler neck mounted in the upper hose/ I have auto trans with HUGE aux cooler and I run AC. I have a full shroud (VERY IMPORTANT!) which is a modified 4.0 piece, I run a 96-97 style 5.0 metal fan and stock explorer clutch.
Next summer I plan to ditch the v6 rad again, get another larger radiator (the nascar tank w Ford hose layout), make another custom shroud and remove the trans cooler from the radiator completely. Also run a 195 thermo, I already vented the hood to try and help (band aid)
I do NOT like to see 215 degrees on my water temp gauge plus the floorboard gets hot hot hot (headers, body drop, etc)
It is only in the middle of summer with the AC on the v6 unit is not adequate if I push it the temps will climb above that 215 mark.... not good!
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I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks