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Relocate radiator?

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Old Dec 28, 2010 | 06:17 AM
  #1  
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Default Relocate radiator?

Has anyone relocated their radiator to be able to mount their winch behind the grille? I looked at it last night and it doesn't seem that hard to do but just curious if it's been done so I can learn from other mistakes. Pictures would be great if there are any. Thanks.
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Old Dec 28, 2010 | 10:03 AM
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It's an interesting idea but with so many existing winch plates and bumpers readily available, and reliable waterproof winches I'm curious what is your purpose of moving it to behind the grill ?

Are you thinking of moving the rad higher so it's positioned above or to the side of the winch, or going full-out desert racer style and relocating the radiator to the rear ?
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Old Dec 28, 2010 | 10:36 AM
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This is what I did for my rear bumper. It's not the best picture to show it but I cut the cross member off and trimmed the rails back so my bumper extends ~1.5" off the body. It's made from a 1/4" C-Channel with 3/16" to cap the ends. I like the look of the bumper being somewhat flush with the body.

This is the Rockster project. I've never found a photo showing what they did or if they ever mounted a winch but the front bumper is kind of what I'm planning to build.


This is how I plan to mount mine... I'm thinking about using something more secure than C-clamps on mine.

Last edited by JKG8R; Dec 28, 2010 at 10:46 AM.
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Old Dec 28, 2010 | 10:53 AM
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hey why not move the radiator to the top of the motor and cut a hole in the hood?\


make it look kinda like a humvee
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Old Dec 28, 2010 | 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by warlord
hey why not move the radiator to the top of the motor and cut a hole in the hood?\


make it look kinda like a humvee
I may try that after I do the full Hummer conversion kit.
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Old Dec 28, 2010 | 11:28 AM
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Think They meant HMMWV, not humvee. But the HMMWV's radiators are set above teh engine at an angle.
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Old Dec 28, 2010 | 12:32 PM
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i know you all have a thing against hummers

but to me the h1 is still a fine piece of equipment, h2 and h3 can suck mt gooch tho.

im willing to wheel with any offroad vehicle regardless of make.

and the more we can get along with these other breeds rather than just compete over which one is better, then the better this sport will be for everyone
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Old Dec 29, 2010 | 04:17 AM
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I too would never dog an H1. They are the best at what they were designed to do. I don't think their radiator design or cutting a hole in the top of my hood would work very well in my application. I get enough mud up front as is and a lot of days I come home with a couple of inches of mud sitting on top of the hood.

It looks like I can fab a couple of brackets and shorten the hoses to move it back 4-6". I also think I'll need to do something with the sway bar frame mounts but I'm not sure what until I start cutting and get the winch plate bolted in place. I've burned most of my vacation time so it may have to wait a few weeks since I need to drive it to work every day. I'll take pictures when I get started if anyone is interested.

By the way, I wheel with Toyota's, Scouts, Bronco's and Sami's and 90% of the vehicles capability is sitting in the driver seat. That doesn't stop me from talking trash when I go over or through something that someone else can't. : )

Last edited by JKG8R; Dec 29, 2010 at 04:21 AM.
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Old Dec 29, 2010 | 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by warlord
hey why not move the radiator to the top of the motor and cut a hole in the hood?\


make it look kinda like a humvee
booooooooooooooooooooooo!
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Old Jan 8, 2011 | 07:25 PM
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I like how that winch on the silver jk is shoved back into the frame rails. I'm getting read to start my front bumper build and this is giving me some great ideas.
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