Finally found a heater core, do I need anything else?
- Thread starter CybrSlydr
- Start date
Yeah I found this place and it’s a great quality but it’s made to order and it’s $329 but it is expertly crafted . https://thebrassworks.net/products/1997-2001-jeep-wrangler-heater-core?_pos=3&_sid=847e25866&_ss=r
That looks like a good resource that I hadn't heard of. Thanks for the link. Any experience with them?
I've been looking for a spare heater core for a while now and follow several threads here. The performance radiator version was the top candidate, but it seems they just buy whatever they can get from China. Here's a recent post about quality problems:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/performance-radiator-heater-core.63818/
Yes, sadly, I haven't found a good option, yet. I do have a good friend in my hometown who is the second generation running a radiator repair shop, so having him repair mine when it fails is my best option. However, I wanted to have a decent spare set aside. Maybe I'll look for a junkyard core and send it to him to make me a spare.
I was able to repair my OEM, by doing a simple leak test with compressed air. The bottom seam had formed a crack, soldered it back up and pressure tested at twice the operating pressure. Knock on wood, 2 years later mine is working great.
if you live where it gets damn cold this seems to be the best option. if you live where it doesn't get really cold I would think the replacements would be fine .
Brassworks does great work but delivery is out 3+ months usually. We have used their heater cores and radiators on our Bronco restorations.
The last one I ordered from Performance radiator was a "reach" model. Standard aftermarket with a plastic cap. Reach is also the same supplier providing the TJ heater cores at my local NAPA.
After a ton of research I'm convinced everyone is selling exact same aluminum plastic garbage. Found some OEM for $375. Insanity at thar price. I'm just going to repair my OEM one.
So tired of these China knockoffs
So tired of these China knockoffs
My Brassworks I bought for our 2005 is garbage. Clearly had a bypass in the upper tank (coolant wasn’t going through the core, just into the upper tank and immediately back out).
Sent back under warranty and they did not repair it — just repainted it. Reinstalled and still getting lukewarm air on full heat.
Requested a refund under warranty and got ghosted. IMO a complete waste of money.
I just purchased a heater core from Performance Radiator for my '98 TJ. The quality seemed good and so far the heat output is as good as the OEM unit. Just my 2cents. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it holds up.
Good to know , seems like a crapshoot honestly no matter where you go. May go the route of rebuilding but am hesitant to do that as well but need to do something before winter
Locate a good shop and plan to be down for a day or so when you're ready. My local shop can/will rebuild/recore a radiator in a day. If it's just a simple patch/resolder, they have done that for me in less than 30 minutes. Finding a good shop might take a while.