Had the YJ slam down hard on a ledge yesterday.
Pushed the tcase skid up enough so that the engine tipped forward enough so that the fan ground against the radiator.
Leak city!
New radiator on order.
Anyways a very seasoned wheeler gave me a great tip that I wanted to pass along.
He showed me his rig's radiator and he added "expanded metal" sheets on the front and back of the radiator for protection.
This stuff..
With it if the fan try's to meet the radiator again the fan will just scrape the expanded metal and protect the fragile radiator core. The outer one protects the radiator from stick and branches poking thru the grill and spearing the radiator.
Fan Meets Radiator
- Kurt
- BSJ Member
- Posts: 4207
- Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:53 am
- Jeep Year: 1992
- Jeep Model: YJ Wrangler
- Real Name: Kurt K.
- Location: Pepperell, MA
Fan Meets Radiator
"Build It, Run It, Break It, Improve It, Repeat!"
NEA Treasurer 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
BSJ Treasurer 2020
NEA Treasurer 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
BSJ Treasurer 2020
- Kurt
- BSJ Member
- Posts: 4207
- Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:53 am
- Jeep Year: 1992
- Jeep Model: YJ Wrangler
- Real Name: Kurt K.
- Location: Pepperell, MA
Re: Fan Meets Radiator
Finished up the radiator replacement today.
The new un-protected radiator..
One of the pieces of expanded metal cut to fit.
Protective pieces painted with rubberized coating and installed on radiator.
Held in place with zip ties in the four corners and one in the middle.
Installed
The new un-protected radiator..
One of the pieces of expanded metal cut to fit.
Protective pieces painted with rubberized coating and installed on radiator.
Held in place with zip ties in the four corners and one in the middle.
Installed
"Build It, Run It, Break It, Improve It, Repeat!"
NEA Treasurer 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
BSJ Treasurer 2020
NEA Treasurer 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
BSJ Treasurer 2020
- Modeler
- BSJ Member
- Posts: 979
- Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 5:37 pm
- Jeep Year: 2005
- Jeep Model: LJ Wrangler
Re: Fan Meets Radiator
Very nice, I have some of the expanded metal sitting under the deck next to the hardtop.
Speed costs money, how slow do you want to go?
- pirahnah3
- BSJ Member
- Posts: 1318
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2016 9:26 pm
- Jeep Year: 1997
- Jeep Model: TJ Wrangler
- Real Name: Jim
Re: Fan Meets Radiator
looks like a great way to save from some of the more simple damages that tend to happen. I dont know if it would save it all but I think well worth the small investment price.
'97 thats been chopped up and put back together, and ready to take on the trails.
- Frank
- Frankie BSJ Member
- Posts: 4145
- Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2009 8:54 am
- Jeep Year: 1974
- Jeep Model: CJ5
Re: Fan Meets Radiator
I did that at Rausch . Tore up the inside in a semi circle , just the shape of the fan. Solution was to cut the radiator support for cap clearance and moved it forward another inch. So far , so good ! After Canada , My trans/T-case crossmember was bent up also. I replaced it and then built a skid that mounts to the frame independently of that crossmember. FjR68