Griffin Replacement Radiator

2005LJU

Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2021
Messages
49
Location
Georgia
The OEM radiator in my 05 LJ cracked yesterday..luckily in the driveway. I wanted to replace it with another MOPAR OEM unit but I couldn't source one in time for an upcoming trip. Instead, I decided to go with a Griffin "exact fit" replacement from Summit Racing. This is an all aluminum 1 row radiator that fit perfectly. Welds look good and it's made in South Carolina. I called Griffin a couple of times with questions before the install and they always answered the phone and were very helpful regarding my questions. No leaks so far and the temps are same as they were with OEM. Two year warranty. $342 from Summit Racing. Hopefully this will be a good alternative to the ever harder to source OEM units.
 
The OEM radiator in my 05 LJ cracked yesterday..luckily in the driveway. I wanted to replace it with another MOPAR OEM unit but I couldn't source one in time for an upcoming trip. Instead, I decided to go with a Griffin "exact fit" replacement from Summit Racing. This is an all aluminum 1 row radiator that fit perfectly. Welds look good and it's made in South Carolina. I called Griffin a couple of times with questions before the install and they always answered the phone and were very helpful regarding my questions. No leaks so far and the temps are same as they were with OEM. Two year warranty. $342 from Summit Racing. Hopefully this will be a good alternative to the ever harder to source OEM units.
I just bought a Mopar from Summit a week or two ago, they had it to my house in 3 days.
 
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i was able to find a mopar radiator for my 06 4.0 auto earlier this summer. it only took just over a month to get it to the house. looked at other alternatives while waiting for the oem to show. glad i didn’t have to make a choice on an aftermarket one.
 
The OEM radiator in my 05 LJ cracked yesterday..luckily in the driveway. I wanted to replace it with another MOPAR OEM unit but I couldn't source one in time for an upcoming trip. Instead, I decided to go with a Griffin "exact fit" replacement from Summit Racing. This is an all aluminum 1 row radiator that fit perfectly. Welds look good and it's made in South Carolina. I called Griffin a couple of times with questions before the install and they always answered the phone and were very helpful regarding my questions. No leaks so far and the temps are same as they were with OEM. Two year warranty. $342 from Summit Racing. Hopefully this will be a good alternative to the ever harder to source OEM units.

So far so good, but can you provide an update in a few years? Time is the real test of how good it is.
 
I hear they suck.

@mrblaine, how long did your Griffin last?

I had a Griffin in my '98 XJ 4.0L which at the time was reported to have great reviews.
The radiator only lasted about 2 years and developed a leak in one of the upper tubes near the tank; a highly recommended local radiator shop stated after doing an inspection of the tanks they couldn't guarantee that other welds wouldn't develop leaks.
Decided to purchase a new plastic radiator with aluminum core which has performed flawlessly since the purchase in 2015.
 
I had a Griffin in my '98 XJ 4.0L which at the time was reported to have great reviews.
The radiator only lasted about 2 years and developed a leak in one of the upper tubes near the tank; a highly recommended local radiator shop stated after doing an inspection of the tanks they couldn't guarantee that other welds wouldn't develop leaks.
Decided to purchase a new plastic radiator with aluminum core which has performed flawlessly since the purchase in 2015.

Yep, people are often stuck on the all aluminum radiators and equate that to them being better quality. That doesn’t seem to be the case. Blaine has tested more TJ radiators than anyone and he regularly mentions that aside form Mopar radiators the only aftermarket ones he’s found that last are upwards of $1000. Sorry if I misspoke @mrblaine, just going off memory.
 
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I had two Griffins replaced under warranty. Gave up and sold the replacement new in box. I would rate them below a generic replacement from the auto parts store for a lot more money.
 
Several years ago I purchased a Griffin from Summit because it only took two days to receive and I couldn't get a MOPAR in a reasonable timeframe. The Griffin began leaking in less than two years. I would never buy another nor recommend one. I hope you have a better experience.
 
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Several years ago I purchased a Griffin from Summit because it only took two days to receive and I couldn't get a MOPAR in a reasonable timeframe. The Griffin began leaking in less than two years. I would never buy another nor recommend one. I hope you have a better experience.

That's exactly the reason why I got one. I wanted a MOPAR OEM unit but couldn't get one fast enough for an upcoming trip. Figured the griffin might be an decent stop-gap solution in the interim until I can get a OEM radiator. Thank goodness this forum can confirm the purchase was a POS.
 
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That's exactly the reason why I got one. I wanted a MOPAR OEM unit but couldn't get one fast enough for an upcoming trip. Figured the griffin might be an decent stop-gap solution in the interim until I can get a OEM radiator. Thank goodness this forum can confirm the purchase was a POS.

Your local dealer should be able to track one down
 
Your local dealer should be able to track one down
Yes, thank you for that. My local dealer quoted over $700 and a week for an OEM radiator. wermopar.com is the probably the best option right now but they were not able to get one to me in sufficient time. I have an OEM on order to put on the shelf for when this POS griffin decides to fail.
 
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Damn, OP, muther truckers raining on your parade. I say see how it lasts. Ive purchased a couple items that have been shat on by some of the Jeep mafia and have had good results. End of the day YMMV. Thats with everything.

Chime back if it takes a dump in short order. If it goes the long mile, great. The more reviews, the better resource this forum is.
 
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Yes, thank you for that. My local dealer quoted over $700 and a week for an OEM radiator. wermopar.com is the probably the best option right now but they were not able to get one to me in sufficient time. I have an OEM on order to put on the shelf for when this POS griffin decides to fail.
Yep,always good to have oem spare
 
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I think this is my first post.

Bumping this thread....it's a couple months old but came up first in my forum search.

I'm shopping for a radiator. At 199,000 miles, I guess it's time. Seriously, I'm on my original radiator. I'm the original owner. It's been flushed, filled, and topped off dozens of times but never replaced. (I'm looking to replace most of the cooling system and some other components since I'm near the 200K mark.)

What in the hell is the deal with the OEM Mopar radiators? I'm searching #55037652AA and #52080183AC/AF/AG. Just got off the phone with wermopar...no dice. Nothing on Amazon or Summit. "No Longer Available" is all I see.

If the Griffins aren't trusted (yet to be seen for 2005JLU) then what's the next best thing? Anyone have specific links to the cheaper-plastic-with-aluminum-core replacements? I would rather go with OEM of course, but this thing is finally leaking and I've got time on my hands and a somewhat heated garage.

I'd rather spend $300 on one that will last than $107 on one I'll have to replace in 10 months.

Thanks for any help!
 
What in the hell is the deal with the OEM Mopar radiators? I'm searching #55037652AA and #52080183AC/AF/AG. Just got off the phone with wermopar...no dice.

I bought my waterpump and radiator thru wermopar in 2016. A year ago the waterpump failed. Looking at it and it showed no signs of mopar anywhere. Just a few months ago my radiator began seeping at the top pinch seam, again, no signs or stamps of mopar anywhere. When I replace the radiator, it will likely be a CSF radiator.