Radiators

Radiators transfer heat from engine coolant to the air. For pickups, vans and trucks operating in hot climates with heavy loads, radiator condition directly determines whether an engine can hold normal temperature on long climbs and in slow traffic.

Construction types

• Aluminum core with plastic tanks – brazed aluminum tubes and fins with nylon tanks crimped onto the header plates. Standard on most modern vehicles. Tank cracks and gasket leaks at the crimp are typical failures.
• All-aluminum radiators – welded aluminum tanks, common in aftermarket upgrade and heavy-duty options.
• Copper-brass radiators – soldered copper fins and brass tubes, with brass or bolted tanks. Heavier and more expensive in material, but repairable by radiator shops. Still common on many trucks and in some aftermarket segments.

Core design

Core thickness, number of tube rows, tube width and fin density determine capacity. A thicker core does not automatically cool better if fin density restricts airflow in dusty conditions. Louvered fins improve heat transfer but clog more readily.

Transmission and accessories

Automatic transmission radiators include an oil cooler inside the outlet tank, with threaded or quick-connect fittings. Some radiators also carry mounts for fan shrouds, condenser brackets and temperature sensors.

Applications

Pickups such as the Mitsubishi Triton and Toyota Hilux use different radiators by engine, transmission and generation. Truck radiators for chassis like the Isuzu NPR are larger and often mounted with rubber isolators to absorb chassis flex.