Confirm radiator size
10-23-2007, 06:43 PM
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Confirm radiator size
Hopefully this isn't a dumb question...I just want to get the facts straight. My truck has the factory towing package which includes a factory tranny cooler and a 34" radiator (I thought). The entire width of my radiator (including the core AND side channels) is approx. 34". The width of the core ONLY is approx. 28"...which is the size of the smaller radiator on GM trucks. I always thought I had the big radiator because I measured the entire width of the radiator. However, the picture below depicts radiators are measured by the core ONLY. All radiator websites have similar pictures and measuring procedures. So, do I have the regular radiator or the bigger one? I need to know because I'm interested in getting some electric fans. Any info is appreciated.
10-23-2007, 06:45 PM
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Hopefully this isn't a dumb question...I just want to get the facts straight. My truck has the factory towing package which includes a factory tranny cooler and a 34" radiator (I thought). The entire width of my radiator (including the core AND side channels) is approx. 34". The width of the core ONLY is approx. 28"...which is the size of the smaller radiator on GM trucks. I always thought I had the big radiator because I measured the entire width of the radiator. However, the picture below depicts radiators are measured by the core ONLY. All radiator websites have similar pictures and measuring procedures. So, do I have the regular radiator or the bigger one? I need to know because I'm interested in getting some electric fans. Any info is appreciated.
SOME AFTERMARKET COMPANIES DECIPHER RADIATORS BY CORE SIZE... GM IS BY COMPLETE SIZE
34 X 18 1/2 X 1 1/8 SHOULD BE YOUR MEASUREMENTS
10-23-2007, 06:49 PM
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But His Question Was About How It Is Measured And Gm Goes Both Ways On Some Of Their Applications.. Like When I Just Look Up A Generic K Series Truck Radiator... Some Ask Core Size.. Some Ask Radiator (complete) Size
10-23-2007, 06:56 PM
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Maybe Im Mistaking Ryan But From What I See All Of The 5.3 Optioned Radiators Are 34" The Only Difference Is Core Thickness
One Is 7/8ths While His Is 1 1/8
One Is 7/8ths While His Is 1 1/8
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10-23-2007, 07:00 PM
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He has the smaller radiator since the core only measures 28". The core on the bigger radiator for the 6.0L trucks measures 34". The 8.1L trucks get that monster 37+" core rad. 
10-23-2007, 07:01 PM
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That is probably correct info for his year of truck... I'm not sure when they switched to the wider rad. 2005 or 06?
I do have both widths of rad here handy and the one that came out of my truck has a 28" core (~34" total width) and the one I replaced it with has a 34" core (~40" total width).
I do have both widths of rad here handy and the one that came out of my truck has a 28" core (~34" total width) and the one I replaced it with has a 34" core (~40" total width).
10-23-2007, 07:18 PM
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Wow...thanks for all the quick replies. It looks like I started a debate here, lol. I think you're right, truckmann. I just wanted to confirm I had the smaller rad. My truck has unusual factory options and I just wanted to make sure the radiator wasn't another one. I would appreciate more inputs about this since there is still some confusion.