The radiator in the truck worked fine last summer but it is 12 years old.Is there any upgraded radiator that I should look at?The original looks fine,it's just the age I am concerned about.

 

Your version is pretty good. Better than the first ones to come out. Flush thermostat and hoses are about all you need to keep up on. When the time comes for hoses, the bottom one has a spring in it. Keep that just incase the replacement doesn't come with one (if it's not all rusted). I got mine from Napa, which did have the spring.

 

Make sure you add coolant conditioner to the system every year to keep the ph correct and the entire cooling system will remain clean and function like it was designed for the life of your truck. Most truck parts stores carry some version of conditioner, I use Wix or fleet gard.
If your coolant looks cloudy and crudded up, flush it with solution and fill with fresh coolant and add conditioner. Any damage you have is already done, but this will stop it from progressing.

 

Is there an upgrade to the stock radiator? My top two rows are weeping, so it runs a little low but still works. I'm just wondering if there are any upgrades or low budget fixes/ replacements until the wallet can take another hit

Michael

 

It should be plenty big enuff, to get you by a while if they have to block a row or so. You have to have a pro look at the repair and tell you. Some types of damage are repairable and can be patched, some not. Brazing will plug a hole and hold good, but if they are stress cracks, it won't hold. If you do it yourself, you can do it under $200 for a rebuild and save alot of grief.

 

The stock radiator on the intercooled trucks is plenty big, an aftermarket replacement from a chain store will do fine, I've seen them listed under $200.