2wd to 4wd radiator support question

[zack]

hey guys, can I buy a new 2wd radiator support from one of our truck parts venders and change the radiator brackets and use it on a f 250 4x4???

[Doug Comer]

The answer is kinda tricky. In short yes. But I don't think new radiator supports are available . I have a 2wd core suport on my own highboy. When you use a 2wd core suport you wil have to use the 2wd radiator or some kind of spacer to re-use the 4x4 radiator. The 4x4 core support has "wings" that space it different than the 2wd. Hope this helps.
Doug

[fordman]

yes you can add the radiator support brackets to a 2wd core support. i did it on my F100 4wd. i had to drill out the spot welds and then ran botl through the brackets into the core support to hold the brackets to the core support.

[hazelnut]

You can still buy dent (73-79) radiator supports that are made for 4x4s with the wings made to the support. Somewhere on site is the swap for supports to use a dent support in a bump. I think its 5 holes that have to be added to bolt up in a bump.

[zack]

so I could spend $300ish on a 2wd rad support and "cut and paste" my radiator mounts and make it work or spend $150ish on a dent rad support and drill a few extra holes.......does that sound about right???.....who would you reccomend to get it from, I have a dennis carpenter catalog, NPD catalog, LMC catalog, any other Ideas??? Thanks for your help guys!!!

[hazelnut]

Dont know who to tell you to buy one from because ive never bought one aftermarket. But i bought some fenders from a guy that had a aftermarket one for a dent he wanted to sell that had the brackets on it already to mount the supercool radiator. I didnt ask where he bought it from but i know they make them so you wouldnt have to swap the brackets, just drill out a few mounting holes.
Heres the link to swap out to a 73-79 support http://www.fordification.com/tech/radsupport.htm

[fordman]

for me price is a big thing. i would look for a used one. even if it is from a dentside. i have a dentside core support from a 75 to go in my 68. its used. but it is rust hole free.

[1971ford]

I used my restored 2wd core support on my highboy when i built the truck, and am currently using the 2wd radiator still, but not for long. Picking up my buddies spare highboy radiator and installing it in the highboy on the 2wd core support next week.

I Drilled out all the spot welds on the 4x4 core support brackets before i scrapped that rusted core support.

[1971ford]

these badboys

[fordman]

wow i dont remember that many spot welds on mine. but i bet they were there.

[1971ford]

yeah, that was NOT fun. Can't wait to simply weld them onto the 2wd core support soon. I'll take pics..