Photo Courtesy of Jeep-Chrysler
Flex-a-Lite
2019 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon
Words by Steve Fennell
Given the wear and tear from rough conditions, heavier loads, high elevations and often intense heat in the world of off-roading, the radiator in a 4x4 is not something to give a second thought. While it’s a no brainer of what function these cooling systems serve, they are vital to ensure smooth, effortless operation of your rig’s engine, and it’s perhaps one component worth upgrading for your next mod.
“The radiator in an off-road vehicle isn’t paid as much attention to until the vehicle is running hotter than off-roaders would like,” says Cole Quinnell a representative of Flex-A-Lite, the manufacturer for a series of high-performance cooling systems, and parts/accessories for the off-road, performance car and racing markets. “Many people tend to upgrade their rigs with tires, lift kits, or roof racks over the cooling system. The reality is that most enthusiasts are going to extreme places in the US or Canada, and the last thing they want is to break down due to an overheating problem.”
According to Quinnell, most stock radiators in Jeeps or even for ½-ton or full-size size trucks are designed to provide reliability under “reasonable circumstances” up to approximately 160,000 km (100,000 mi). So, does trekking miles across a desert, up to high altitudes, and driving across rocks and tree stumps qualify as “reasonable circumstances?” We didn’t think so, either.
“From a cooling capacity standpoint, it’s important to realize a lot of weight is added to an off-road vehicle, they sometimes have a trailer in tow, and the tire size is often increased,” says Quinnell. “So, these three factors alone all go beyond what the manufacturer of the vehicle initially designed the cooling system to function continuously for.”
Although you may think, ‘I have a stock radiator in my Jeep JK and I’ve never had a problem.’ That may be true. Yet, keeping your engine cool under demanding conditions not only gives your engine the optimal cooling performance it needs for optimal operation, but also a peace of mind when your travels take you into the middle of nowhere.
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Quinnell explains that Flex-a-Lite has been serving the off-road market for more than five decades with its high-performing fans, parts, and direct-fit radiators for Jeep, full-size trucks, and SUVs. What’s more, the same cooling technology for performance cars and racing vehicles often cross over into its off-road series of radiators, providing an added level of performance, reliability and cooling efficiency.
One its latest radiator lines for enthusiasts is what the company calls its universal Extruded Tube Core Series, featuring new technology and manufacturing processes. It effectively replaces the single tube, two tube, plus the two-, three- and four-row-style systems with a new design that’s stronger, lighter and most of all, has much more improved cooling power over traditional rads.
“In general, there are three different steps for heat transfer in a radiator, and we have improved efficiency in each step,” says Quinnell. “These three improvements now allow us to offer up to a 20 percent increase in heat transfer compared to the next best radiators on the market, and approximately a 40 percent better heat transfer compared to stock radiators in a Jeep Wrangler JK of the same size.”
To ensure performance, the extruded tube core technology is tested thoroughly via wind-tunnel testing, while the cooling fins feature louver patterns to more effectively direct airflow, improving heat rejection and cooling. They also offer an impressive 100-psi burst rating (compared to 22-24 psi found on a typical stock radiator). It even includes a two-year transferable warranty.
Other benefits Direct-Fit Radiators for Jeep include:
- Welded reinforcement in all four corners where the core meets the side banks. This eliminates the common cracking from expansion and contraction, adding strength and reliability in off-road environments.
- The Extruded Tube Core is designed with a flat surface where the cooling fins attach to maximize contact between the tubes and fins for improved heat rejection and cooling.
- Direct-fit applications install with no drilling or cutting required.
- Several universal fit sizes are available.
- Optional Flex-A-Lite fans are available, and come from the factory mounted to the radiator.
Time for an Upgrade?
As there can be a handful of reason for overheating, Quinnell explained some of the more common causes.
“People often tell me they need a new radiator and I try to determine if it’s actually the radiator or some other cooling problem,” says Quinnell. “For instance, if a 4x4 with a belt-driven fan is overheating at idle or slow speeds, it could be an airflow problem rather than a radiator problem since the fan can only transfer so much air at slower speeds for optimal cooling. Or, if the vehicle is overheating under all conditions (and above 30 mph), then the problem is typically the radiator.”
Flex-A-Lite currently offers direct replacement radiators for Jeeps for CJ, XJ, the TJ and the Wrangler JK from 1972 to the present, and direct replacements radiators are also available for Chevy ½ -tons (from 1972 through to 2012), including the half-ton Suburbans, and the full-sized Blazers and Tahoes.
For all the details visit www.flex-a-lite.com