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1st Gen. Ram - All TopicsDiscussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.
I found a gem of a rad support from a 1992 Ram and put her into my 1986 (I've always been into those grilles anyway and mine was a little bent). I'm running into some issues when it comes to the brackets, they appear slightly longer in the back and I think they may have fit a different style radiator, the hose in the bottom passenger side won't make it. I'm wondering if anyone else had this issue when they changed over to a 1991.5-1993 grille and if so, is it as simple as making a few cuts or am I going to run into a bunch of other headaches along the way?
Thanks in advance,
Ron
I found a gem of a rad support from a 1992 Ram and put her into my 1986 (I've always been into those grilles anyway and mine was a little bent). I'm running into some issues when it comes to the brackets, they appear slightly longer in the back and I think they may have fit a different style radiator, the hose in the bottom passenger side won't make it. I'm wondering if anyone else had this issue when they changed over to a 1991.5-1993 grille and if so, is it as simple as making a few cuts or am I going to run into a bunch of other headaches along the way?
Thanks in advance,
Ron
I think the radiators for the later years are crossflow type whereas yours is probably topdown. But don't quote me. Also I think the later rad support has provisions for an intercooler.
When I did mine I relocated the headlights so I didn't have to change the radiator support.
Thanks Edwin, yes I also have an intercooler (another reason why I wanted to get that 92 rad support in there), but it’s proving to be a little more difficult that I originally thought.
Ron,
Did I not list all the parts needed to do this swap a couple of weeks ago when you posted a similar thread?
I mentioned welding the headlight buckets OR changing the core support, lower valance panel, grill, Rad, fan shroud, turn signals, clutch fan, upper radiator hose neck and hose IIRC.
I wanted to make sure you knew the can of worms you where getting into for the later grille you like better.
You mentioned you had a '92 or so RC to grab most of the parts from.
You will also need the '91.5-'93 fan hub itself to center the later style fan into the later style shroud that fits on the later state radiator. If you want it to be all factory looking or expect fabricating of stuff to need to be done.
Are you using a 91.5-93 gasser or cummins rad support? They are two different animals.
If it's a diesel rad support then as Oliver said you need to get a bunch of IC specific parts. BUT having said that you can make a Non-IC rad work in a IC rad support....I did it for a time but it does require removing the lower rad mounts, trimming some of the opening and fabbing up custom brackets to hold the rad in place.
Now if it's a gasser rad support I have no clue, but I do recall looking at a couple in the wreckers and noticing how different they were to the diesel units.
This whole topic used to be a sticky once upon a time.
I get sad when stuff gets lost from the stickies it's like losing a book you needed to finish that project you could never complete. hrmm and yes what they all said above me is right!
This whole topic used to be a sticky once upon a time.
I get sad when stuff gets lost from the stickies it's like losing a book you needed to finish that project you could never complete. hrmm and yes what they all said above me is right!
Unfortunately the sticky points to another website and the other website removed the article.
Hey fellas, just wanted to update you on my progress. As Oliver mentioned, it was a bit of a can of worms getting this '92 grille on but with a bit of fabricating and some novice welding, I was able to get her on. The only problem I currently have is getting the grille itself bolted to the support for a little more security. I have an intercooler so that complicates things. I had to improvise on the passenger's side and fix the turn signal to a bracket for extra support, which is why it sits lower. I'd be happy to hear to suggestions as to mounting the grille itself so I can get her even!
Here's what I did:
Replaced my 1986 rad support with a 1992
Cut the brackets off of the 86' and the '92 and welded the 86 onto the 92 (so the radiator fit in there)
Hoses and everything connected up, all I needed was to get rid of the fan shroud and I have a solid 1.5" between the rad and the fan
Doesn't sound like a lot but it took me the better part of 20 hours to fully complete. If anyone is interested in specifics, just shoot me a message. Again, thanks for the input!
Attached are before, during and after the install (with a much-needed paint job in between).
Before... '86 support out... '92 support in...(fan shroud was later removed)... ...almost done...
If your aftermarket grille is like mine the whole thing hangs on the lip of the radiator support with 5 or 6 tabs with holes to put screws in.
The parking/turn lights use sheet metal screws into a couple of those square nylon inserts to make female screw threads into. on the Outboard side of each light is an extra hole which I used to screw into a "L" bracket which I welded to the support. The back of the parking/turn lights poke through the holes in the support I'm sure you know but otherwise don't touch the support.
If this is unclear let me know and I'll try to splain it better.
07-10-2018, 01:14 PM
