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Ron Davis Radiator for the H3 is now available!!

bebe

Moderator
Messages
1,375
Location
Dayton, NV
It took some time and a bit of R&D from our speedy and H32NV, but it is finally available for purchase.

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When you order it, don't forget to order the spiffy Ron Davis Cap for a little extra Bling!

Here is an update on the performance:

Temps are still running 206* regardless of outside temps
Going up Hills (big ones) it climbs to about 215*
Rock Crawling on both Fordyce and Rubicon the highest it got was 211*

I still have the Aux Transcooler installed but now it is not bypassing the internal cooler - it's in addition to.

It's been installed since August 2011 and it is so fantastic!

If anyone else has one in their H3 post up! I know H32NV and Trailerpup have them...let's hear what you guys have to say about your Ron Davis Radiators.
 

bebe

Moderator
Messages
1,375
Location
Dayton, NV
Silly question, but will this help with on-road performance?

Not sure what you mean by help, but it will keep your engine and trans much cooler, and we don't have to worry about the dread chocolate radiator fluid either :)

By no means is there a guarantee - but the integrated Trans cooler is much thicker and better designed then the GM version.
 

bebe

Moderator
Messages
1,375
Location
Dayton, NV

Yes, I know - he bought it before the prototyping was finished, you'll see that when you read the thread. speedy and I have been working on this project since August 2011 (see http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=13323122&postcount=603). The second prototype was installed in my truck at BSHS on October 2011. A couple of months ago I had one sent to H32NV helped me finish it up and now that we have his detailed report on fitment and ease of installation documented, and corrected, it's ready for sale to the public.
 

bebe

Moderator
Messages
1,375
Location
Dayton, NV
I've never purchased an OEM Rad and I don't know what RD will charge for their Rad. You need to call them. :)
 

ReconH3

Guardian Angel
Messages
2,288
Location
Raleigh, NC
I would say its worth it for the simple reason that when the OEM one fails, if you don't catch it in time, you could have serious expensive trany issues. If your OEM one is still good, keep it as a spare. You never know when a thick branch could punch a hole through it.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone
 

4u33er

Well-Known Member
Messages
136
Location
NYC
Aren't these temps running on he hotter side than OEM?

Temps are still running 206* regardless of outside temps I run 181~195 on HOT summer humid days with OEM Rad
Going up Hills (big ones) it climbs to about 215* 200~210 Going uphills
Rock Crawling on both Fordyce and Rubicon the highest it got was 211* Cant comment =)

I'm just thinking that an Aluminum rad would provide better cooloing.
 

bebe

Moderator
Messages
1,375
Location
Dayton, NV
Aren't these temps running on he hotter side than OEM?

Temps are still running 206* regardless of outside temps I run 181~195 on HOT summer humid days with OEM Rad
Going up Hills (big ones) it climbs to about 215* 200~210 Going uphills
Rock Crawling on both Fordyce and Rubicon the highest it got was 211* Cant comment =)

I'm just thinking that an Aluminum rad would provide better cooloing.

Not when you have an I-5 and a 5,780 lb rig on 38's.

This is all aluminum - the OEM is plastic/aluminum.

In the summer here mine used to be pegged and 3/4 and ranged between the red zone and 3/4.

Besides - your location shows NYC....here it's 105* -110* on our Hot summer days - for weeks at a time.:)

The hill climb I am referring too is Donner Pass - 7900 ft over a 45 mile stretch just going up hill (Auburn to Truckee)
 
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4u33er

Well-Known Member
Messages
136
Location
NYC
Well regardless all aluminum is miles better that plastic endtanks =)

Where can I buy one?
 
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ReconH3

Guardian Angel
Messages
2,288
Location
Raleigh, NC
At what they're asking I can get two custom metal ones made, or 3 OEM ones and a bypassed quality tranny cooler. They're asking way too much for something that is also known to have problems. It's fine when you're a race truck where you replace these components often, so there's no time for it to fail. Not as a permanent substitute. I'm not the only person on this forum that has seen aluminum radiators fail. I have a spare OEM one strapped to the roof of my slant back and the tranny fluid has its own separate cooler. No cross contamination and way cheaper. Whole setup including spare radiator is half the price of what RD is asking.

Great plus is that I have spare radiator on hand for other H3s that could need it.


Ex Umbris Venimus
 
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pwrshftd

Member
Messages
21
Location
swainsboro ga
agreed on the over priced. we have some latemodel dirt cars and our custom alum ones only run 3-400 depending on size. I thought about getting one when my stock one busted at 125k but I got one from pcm of north Carolina by luck cause I was working near there and they had programed my truck the day before.
 
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