2017 Wildtrak - Radiator Replacement

[iainboyd]

You spent 128 grand on a ranger + fitout? Wow they saw you coming.

Could of had a NPS 300 or Canter for that money, with 37 inch singles, coil conversion and a full camper built cheaper.

Not only would it be similar on fuel but far more reliable, can carry twice the weight of a ranger, has a solid C section straight chassis.

Whoever dealt with you at ARB would of been rubbing their hands together


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Possibly but they come in manuals and my partner is having both knees replaced so a high truck (37" wheels etc.) was not really an option, besides my conservative budget was $135K --- you are obviously fixated with how other people spend their ill gotten gains, me I'll just keep spending my Lotto winnings, I'm a tad over 70, we won big time and are determined to spend our winnings and not leave my ex-wife and her ungrateful step children a brass cent and I can easily afford to replace the Ranger annually if needs be. Go and get your green eyes fixed.

[iainboyd]

Okay, and I guess much to Copies disgust the swap was easy, the only thing that had to go was the strip of foam rubber that filled the gap between the existing radiator and the inner shroud, he is obviously in cahoots with my kids and trying to maintain their inheritance that I'm equally intent on spending, the Ranger has to date cost a tad over $128,000. -- that's purchase (cash) and a huge contribution to ARB, ORS and the HPF in Melbourne for the vehicle and engine preparation and modifications. Incidentally I have three RedArc gauges. The primary gauge is a three section unit on the "A" pillar that indicates boost pressure, EGT and oil pressure. The second RedArc gauge indicates coolant and oil temperatures. The coolant temperature sits on 90*C - just as it did before the change over, boost runs from 8 to 25 PSI depending on load, EGT normally sits on just under 300*C but in top gear powering up Cherry Tree Hill just outside Mudgee it went up to 400*C . I also run a low water level alarm in the top of the new radiator. The third gauge built into the rear shelve system indicates the condition of both batteries. Incidentally and again this will upset Copie and mu stepsons, both are very expensive Lithium batteries, the new 100a/h in the rear and the replacement 135a/h in the front - why ?? well how about a saving of 50 kilos in total and in the desert weight is everything and despite having ARB upgrade the GVM to 3500 kilos it still hits the public weighbridge at 3250. Now, off to the Simpson on the 11th, just in time for it re-opening on the 13th !!

Righto were going to need pictures of this build.....please

Bill, sure - can you wait until the 29th when I return from the Simpson - by then I expect that it will have a few "pin stripes" and look as if its been used for touring rather than being just a Tourak Tractor !
My son -in - law arrives from Denmark on the 9th, I'm giving him 24 hours to acclimatize and we set off for the Simpson on the 11th, first stop will be Mutajawinji to see the 30,000 year old aboriginal cave paintings and the graffiti carved on them by members of the Bourke and Wills expedition ! our next stop will be the Packsaddle Roadhouse and north to the Dig Tree on the Cooper Creek at Nappa Merri -- from there we will go to the Cooper Creek locations at Innamincka where Wills and Bourke died and King was found by the recovery team. Our next journey will be on the Walkers Creek Crossing Track that like the desert opens on the 13th, stopping on the way at Coongie Lake where Gray is supposed to be buried but his grave isn't marked or the location even recorded, a body was found and was supposed to be his but only identified by a marine log book lying next to the remains (he had been a sailor).
After resting up for a day at Birdsville we will tackle "Big Red" before going west to Peoppel Corner, then south down the K1 line to the Warburton Track, have a few icy cold beers with Phil at Mungerannie before driving through the Gammon and Flinders Ranges to Yunta and Broken Hill and on to the Darling River at Menindee Lakes where Bourke and Wills team camped up for a few months.
S-i-L is a Danish Journalist and if he gets a story on the ill fated Bourke and Wills expedition printed he gets 50% of his travel costs reimbursed - hence the interest in the locations we will be visiting.
I"ll publish some photos of the trip and the Ranger on my return.

[Bill68]

Hey Old timer I love the way you think, I have been to some of those places and would love to think I'm still looking for adventure at your age.We all look forward to the pics

This is a favourite of mine crossing east to west after spending hours getting a bogged trail blazer out of lake poepple we had to make up time and it was a beautiful sight every dune we crested

[Copie]

You spent 128 grand on a ranger + fitout? Wow they saw you coming.

Could of had a NPS 300 or Canter for that money, with 37 inch singles, coil conversion and a full camper built cheaper.

Not only would it be similar on fuel but far more reliable, can carry twice the weight of a ranger, has a solid C section straight chassis.

Whoever dealt with you at ARB would of been rubbing their hands together


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Possibly but they come in manuals and my partner is having both knees replaced so a high truck (37" wheels etc.) was not really an option, besides my conservative budget was $135K --- you are obviously fixated with how other people spend their ill gotten gains, me I'll just keep spending my Lotto winnings, I'm a tad over 70, we won big time and are determined to spend our winnings and not leave my ex-wife and her ungrateful step children a brass cent and I can easily afford to replace the Ranger annually if needs be. Go and get your green eyes fixed.

You can get the NPS at least with an Alison 6spd auto (great gearbox too, rated to 400hp and won’t s*** the bed unlike the 6R80)

Anyways enjoy the desert, though given the amount of rain out that way especially west of Bourke currently I would expect roads to remain closed for quite some time.


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[iainboyd]

No, as of this morning the Walkers Creek Crossing, KAA, K1 and Warburton tracks are dry and will be open on the 13th unless they have heavy local rain. In any case we have alternative plans, totally necessary with our very unseasonal weather of late.

[Bill68]

Yeah we went sept 2016 after flooding rains and most people told us not to go but the experienced said be prepared and get local advice as the media promote disaster we took advice from people that knew the tracks condition had a great time
Big Red going west


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[Trublu]

Okay, and I guess much to Copies disgust the swap was easy, the only thing that had to go was the strip of foam rubber that filled the gap between the existing radiator and the inner shroud

Ok to bring this topic back on subject you obviously swapped the radiator, what changes have you noticed in cooling temps and better still report back here with your results after your Simpson trip.
I'm keen to know what you achieved out of this.

Cheers.

[iainboyd]

I've done the Simpson four times, the French line twice, the WAA/Rig road once (all with Julie) and the Madigan / Hays River Track from West to East solo once. Its a great experience. We have done the Anne Beadell and Connie Sue together(Great Victoria Desert) and I went over the Gibson off track with a group looking for an abandoned GQ Nissan, we found it but too late as a grass fire had beaten us to it. We just love the central Australian Deserts.

[iainboyd]

Okay, and I guess much to Copies disgust the swap was easy, the only thing that had to go was the strip of foam rubber that filled the gap between the existing radiator and the inner shroud

Ok to bring this topic back on subject you obviously swapped the radiator, what changes have you noticed in cooling temps and better still report back here with your results after your Simpson trip.
I'm keen to know what you achieved out of this.

Cheers.

As of this moment, no change what so ever as the engine temperature is controlled by the thermostat, as I expected it would be. Certainly it takes a little longer to get up to 90*C - its normal running temperature but once there its very constant. I really don't expect to see any variation even in 50*C plus ambient temperatures - the very reason I did the change. I'll report back after I return on the 29th March

[Copie]

No, as of this morning the Walkers Creek Crossing, KAA, K1 and Warburton tracks are dry and will be open on the 13th unless they have heavy local rain. In any case we have alternative plans, totally necessary with our very unseasonal weather of late.

They had rain at Cameron’s last night and are expecting heavy rain tomorrow as well


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[iainboyd]

You really are the eternal pessimist aren't you, you obviously have a deep resentment against anyone either spending their money beyond your limitations or what you deem to be logical or going out and having fun.
Yes, its raining at Cameron Corner and at Innamincka - a light to medium drizzle according to Police Sergeant Glen McAvie at Tibooburra who's an old mate -- so what, all that does is make the going a little easier by packing down the sand and ironing out some of the corrugations. In any case that's today's and tomorrow's weather and we wont be due to arrive up there until the 12th in almost a weeks time as the Walkers Creek Crossing Track and Simpson Desert doesn't officially open until the 13th so we have a whole lot of time yet..

[100_cruiser]

iainboyd- mate don't let all the negative, jealous ones out there put a dampener on your trip or your ranger! I say upgrade the radiator to whatever you want, its your money, get it made from billet titanium if you want! Im on both sides of the fence- yes the ranger has a good cooling system and there have been no major issues but last week a mate of mine had a plastic radiator tank crack and cost him an engine (on a late model dual cab) so bad things can happen. At the end of the day its your car and your money so spend it on whatever upgrades you want. I think the comments of "its a waste of money" or "unnecessary" hold no strength as how many rangers do you see getting around town with massive lift and tyres, a million LED lights and all the other wanky stuff. Do these guys need these mods? Are they getting value for money? Answer is probly not but hey its their money and their truck so each to their own

cheers

[Keanie]

Any reason your replacing the stock radiator they seem to be more than up to the task

I do a lot of touring way out in the central deserts, off the tracks by generally simply following GPS directions and camel tracks to cross the dunes, in temperatures that at times are hovering in the high 40's low 50's -- the last trip was to try to recover a mates GQ that he had to abandon due to overheating issues.

I take on board what you say about the standard unit being adequate but I was offered this larger alloy radiator with alloy top and bottom tanks, it's 40mm deep instead of the standard 28mm and holds roughly 30% more coolant, it's a tested prototype unit and I was offered it at a very discounted price and when they come on the market I'm sure those members who do a lot of heavy caravan type summertime towing will be interested especially as the Mk 2 will, I believe, be offered with an optional ATF cooler coil built into the bottom can.

Until they come on the market I'm sworn to secrecy as the manufactures don't want to give their rivals any prior warning.

lianboyd
Mate have been following this blog. Forget the Morons that knock you for spending your own money on what you want to fit/change on your Ranger. They are probably the wankers that drive around the city with lifts and large tyres and all the other “good look” off road stuff but never go anywhere.

You obviously have a great love of the central areas as do I. Have been the places you have been plus many more over 50 years of travelling our great land. Crossed the Simmo 13 times by car, twice by motor bike and twice in my helicopter, now that’s a cool way to go camping. Did the Cape before the ferry when you had to drive across all the rivers.

Did the Great Victorian desert with Mick and ConnySue a few years ago, spent a month in there, was fantastic.
So don’t let the naysayers take the gloss of what you want to do. In the past mainly used Cruisers and Nissan’s, however the Ranger last year was the easiest trip across the Simmo I’ve ever done. I’ll never drive another manual outback again.

Keep up the good work and keep exploring, it’s surprising what you can find as you stop and think “I wonder where that track goes or let’s look over that dune”
You and I have and are doing trips that people can only dream about.
Keanie

[iainboyd]

Thanks for that understanding. Just about every morning in the bush when I have that first coffee of the day watching the sun rise I get a lump in my throat. I've done a tad over 380,000 k's crossing the central Australian Deserts, the capes and I haven't even started to scratch the surface. I'd be interested in your opinion though regarding tyre pressures and gears as this will be my first time in the Wildtrak crossing soft sand, all previous have been in a 5 speed manual Land Rover Discovery 300Tdi, always looking for advice I'd appreciate a PM on that if you have the time. The Wildtrak has been legally uprated by ARB to a GVM of 3500kilos and fully loaded she hit the weighbridge at 3245 kilos so "Black Mariah"s not light and getting up Big Red will be an interesting exercise.

[thang55]

I have an Everest and suffered from trans overheating and engine overheating.

I have addressed both.

The OEM trans cooling is woeful and there are many reports of limp mode issues relating to trans temps.
Engine temps are more an issue at slow speed sand driving.

This is a heavily modified vehicle built for purpose and because I like the car.

Before you go dissing these ideas you need to prove you logic through experience.
Sow me your rig turning 35" tires through WA sands with stock cooling without pushing engine temps.

Things I have not seen discussed here that demonstrates a lack of experience with the OPs original questions are:

The tranny is shut down at 130 degrees
The engine is shut down at 113 degrees
The dash temp gauge reads nominal when the vehicle has overheated
The clutch fans in the Fords are rubbish and the PX2s/Everests still suffer from clutch fan failure
Fitting bullbars seem to cause the most amount of heating issues for the transmission in combination with towing
Fitting larger tires (a must for heavier offroading) is far more demanding on the drivetrain and cooling systems than towing at maximum GCM while at maximum GVM on stock tires

I had a custom radiator built for my Everest. It's a 50mm core. There's plenty of room there for the extra depth. If you have had the OEM radiator out you can see how poor it is. If you still have the OEM bash plates then have a look at the damage that have done to the AC condenser and the radiator.

If you have actually done these things then please contribute. If you're just speculating based on internet surfing then please listen and learn.

[thang55]

If you're doing sand hills in the Fords then it's like a lot of other cars, low range 2nd or 3rd, otherwise they start spinning tires and digging down. Also manual shifts.

[lincolnland]

High range 2nd. Not enough wheel speed in low range. Big red told me so.

[Hilmi]

I have a 2017 ranger wildtrak 3.2 here in Oman, pulling a trailer up a 15% (average over 13 km) grade blacktop road at 48c ambient temperature. My trailer was 1500 kg and minimal luggage in the ranger itself. Went into limp mode less than 2 km into the drive. Then engine overheat message. Happened to me twice. The dealer says there is nothing wrong with the car so obviously the cooling can't cope. I didn't get a transmission overheated warning, it was engine overheated warning.

I'm now torn between upgrading the fan or the radiator. Any advice? Something needs to be upgraded because I tow my camper up mountains at least 10 times a year. I want minimal invasiveness and don't want to take a chop saw to the car. Just want a direct replacement solution as vehicle modifications are are illegal here but you can get away with a radiator or fan upgrade.

[lame2]

G’day Hilmi.

Couple of things. A larger Koyorad or other brand radiator will help.

Some people add oil to the viscous clutch fan hub to bring it in earlier.

The lower radiator hose is restrictive and is replaced by a single piece unit.

Let us know how you go.

Cheers. Lame2

https://www.newranger.net/forums/viewto ... 95#p129395

https://www.newranger.net/forums/viewto ... =29&t=7157

[Hilmi]

Thanks, will look into that oil idea and the radiator model you recommended

[lame2]

Hilmi, I did a google search for

land cruiser fan clutch oil

Lots of information available.

[Jvrensd]

Good Morning
I would appreciate it if you can tell me how to remove the radiator, especially with the ac unit radiator in the way.
Looking foward
Regards

[lame2]

Jvrensd. From the back of my memory, I wiggled and wiggled until frustration had me retire for the night. Next morning it came out straight away. Replacement unit went in easily. Cannot offer you any advice other than Persistence will pay off.

That said, I removed the front grill, top plastic cover and anything else I could think of. Get yourself a one piece lower hose and replace the crushed OEM joiner. Stupid design.

Another point. OEM hose from top of radiator to header tank won’t fit Koyorad radiator. Will need a new length of hose and a 90 degree receptacle to fit the header tank connection. I found mine on eBay. I’m sure repco or some other parts store would have them.