How to Replace Radiator 04-08 Dodge Ram

Difficulty: Advanced · About 90 min · Dodge Ram

Replace the radiator, including the fan and shroud, on a 2004-2008 Dodge Ram.

Steps

1. Drain the coolant

   Open the radiator drain, let a bit of fluid out, then close the valve.

2. Remove the radiator fan

   Fit a pipe wrench onto the fan nut, insert a 3/8-inch drive ratchet into the tensioner, tap the pipe wrench with a hammer to knock the nut loose, finish loosening it with an adjustable wrench, then remove the fan.

3. Remove the coolant reservoir

   Remove the hose from the bottom of the washer pump, drain the remaining coolant, disconnect the water pump connector and the coolant level sensor, remove the overflow hose from the radiator's fill neck, remove the reservoir's two 10mm bolts, then lift it out.

4. Remove the fan shroud

   Remove the 13mm bolt under the fill neck, loosen the upper hose clamp at the radiator and twist the hose free, remove the shroud's 13mm bolt, then lift the shroud out.

5. Remove the old radiator

   Loosen the lower hose clamp with a flat blade screwdriver and twist the hose free, remove the two 10mm bolts from the upper radiator mounts, let the power steering cooler hang, remove the 10mm bolt behind the radiator below the fill neck, lift the radiator up and to the side, remove the 10mm transmission bracket bolt, release the transmission cooler lines from the bracket, then lift the radiator out.

6. Install the new radiator

   Close its bottom drain, set it into place, insert the transmission cooler tabs and snap the lines into the retainer, tighten the 10mm transmission bracket bolt, position the power steering cooler, hook the radiator onto the lower brace, line up the transmission cooler brackets and hand-tighten their nuts before holding the bolt with a wrench to tighten the 10mm nut, then reinstall the two upper mount bolts.

7. Reinstall the fan shroud

   Set it into place, then insert its two top 13mm bolts.

8. Reinstall the fan

   Set it into place, start the nut by hand, spin it on, then tighten it with the pipe wrench, tapping it with a hammer to seat it.

9. Reinstall the coolant reservoir and refill

   Set the reservoir into place and tighten its two top 10mm bolts, insert the overflow tube, reconnect the water pump connector and coolant level sensor, reconnect and clamp both radiator hoses, then refill the washer fluid, remove the radiator cap, and refill with 50/50 coolant.

Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.