I need to replace my condenser, just looking through the Rave … says I need to remove the radiator to do this.
Anyone done this?
I’m wondering if there’s any chance of doing it without removing the radiator? That’s a much bigger job than I anticipated.

 

If I remember correctly the condenser will not fit out the front, or is an extremely tight fit. I can't remember if I had my radiator out when I did it but I would exhaust all other options before draining the coolant. I seem to remember there's a way to finagle the condenser out of there with everything disconnecting from their mounting points but not removed. Sorry I can't give you a more definitive answer but I wouldn't actually remove the radiator without trying it first. If I had to bet, I would say it's possible.

 

I hope you’re right. Draining the rad is not my idea of fun.

 

I think you will have to remove, or at a minimum remove the brackets to provide the clearance to get the condenser out. And if you have to remove those, you might as well pull the radiator.

The radiator actually isn’t that bad or hard to get out. The issue is the mess because there is no clean way to drain it.

 

If not in a great rush, a 1/4 tygon tube snaked down to the bottom of the radiator through the fill port can be used to syphon most of the coolant into a bucket. It really only takes a matter of minutes (less than an hour).

 

A blue kid’s pool is great for the following things other than kids. Blood bucket, coolant tray, and a dog bath. I use it for all three.

Buy a blue kid’s pool and remove that radiator. Removing the radiator is easy. Have fun disconnecting and reconnecting the trans lines from the cooler. Once you do get them off clean them real good. Also when you put the radiator back with the shroud, put washers on the top screws that connect the shroud to the radiator or else youll pierce the radiator.

 

Totally agree on the blue kids pool from Wal-Mart. That's my jam too.

Draining the rad isn't that bad, I wouldn't sweat it. Just watch your radiator hose connections and don't screw em up trying to remove the hoses from the radiator nipples, sometimes it's best to cut them off and replace the hose rather than really have a go at them, they can get brittle (ask me how I know haha.. !)

 

I don't disconnect oil or trans cooler lines and can have the rad out in maybe 20 min once it's drained...done it more than a few times and never regret having the extra space or worrying about damaging it.