I went to pickup a new 4 row radiator from NAPA and it had "Made in China" all over the box and it was a Proliance product. I am sorry but I don't want that Chinese made POS junk in my truck (if I can help it) and to top it off they wanted $416.00 plus tax. Does anyone know where I can get a American made radiator these days? It seems the Modine and Proliance are the same thing now (I think they merged or something).

 

I don't think that because it was made in China, India, Korea or whatever determines if it is a POS or not, it is the specifications which the product is made to is important. Yes, overseas stuff can be not so good, but it can also be of very good quality, depending on the specs. I have a overseas made machine tool in my shop that is absolutely wonderful. The machining is first class, the fit is perfect, the movements are smooth, the way it works is right on. I use it to death and it keeps on going. If the radiator meets the right specs, it should be OK. If you want to buy American just to buy American, that is another issue and there is merit to that.

 

It's mainly to buy American and you are absolutely right, just because it is made offshore doesn't mean anything. It could even be better than any US made one! However it has been my own personal experience that when something is made in china that the quality is usually less allot less. I always try to buy American made when ever I can. Now if it is clear that something made offshore is built better the US made item then I would have no problem buying it. My loyalty and confidence is in American products first even if it cost me more.

Glenn

 

OK, I gotcha now, and I agree with your philosophy, I do not buy the cheapest product because it is cheap and I have been burned by American made products. I have never been in a Wal-Mart store in my life, for many reasons. I understand and I try to buy American for the same reasons I buy hardware and other goodies from our local stores instead of going to a big box store.

 

I have installed the Rad you are talking about form China and have had 0 problems with them Modine has them to and they say made in China also
if you go online at radiators.com or call 1 800 radiator you can get one for 270.00 + free shipping by air next day.

 

hi
try discount radiators at 1 800-443-1322 less than $200.00 delivered here !

pn 1553

 

Guess there are no American made radiators anymore!?! Well at least I tried to keep the money here in the US! Thanks to everyone that that took the time and replied to my thread.

Glenn

 

You can try RADAC. Their headquarters is about 1 hour from me (in Ohio). They have branch warehouses all over the country.

I think they make all their radiators. My buddy has a radiator repair shop and he gets ALL of his radiators and parts from them.

Website: www.radac.com

 

Try Griffin Radiator.

 

I just got one from the local NAPA store and it is only 2-row!! They are much wider rows, but still only 2! Also it is aluminum core that measures 2 1/4 inches thick. The original(4-row) is 2 3/4 inches thick. I want that extra 1/2 inch when pulling the 10k family travel trailer over the mountian passes. I'm going to return this junk! I am not too concerned about 'where' its made so much as how well its going to work. If you look on NAPA's web site it describes it as a 4-row copper/brass core (not true!!!!)

 

In the summer of 2007, I replaced my original equipment radiator with one from Autozone and it was made in China. It seems to be holding up OK. But another thing happened. I replaced the hoses and thermostat while I had the rad out and now my temp gauge goes up to 190, the thermostat opens, it drops to 140, up to 190, down to 145, and keeps doing this only staying up around 180-190 when pulling my trailer. The old thermostat was not your typical looking thermostat, it had a 3/4" rubber washer type device in the thermostat. Is there a special thermostat for these trucks?

 

Could the original radiator be repaired at a local radiator shop?

 

When I was changing the antifreeze in my 91 I noticed it was leaking, a local radiator shop cleaned and repaired it for $70.

I may need a radiator in the future so let us know what you finally ended up with and where you bought it.