Looking for some radiator opinions as mine just cracked today. Rockauto has several brands for the 08 including a gm genuine for $613.
My local o’reillys has a Murray brand in stock for $294
Everything else I’ve heard is garbage.
Also if anyone knows of an all aluminum rad and whether it’s worth it or not please let my know.

Not sure what to go with.

 

I had to replace mine do to a Small Boulder strike thru the grill. I went with OEM GM Thru my dealer who cut me a price of $600.00. I have Warranty with it. You could go with an aftermarket Aluminum one for cheaper. But which One? I always go for the GM Parts Made in AMERICA. You have to be careful as some of the GM Tages on the boxes say GM but if you look closer it also says "Made in China for GM".

This happened to me Buying from an online GM suppose it GM Parts seller. I bought a New Tranny pan for my 6L80E as I wanted to add a Drain plug after the fluid change. Turns out it was the wrong pan and a crappy paper thin gasket. I went thru my dealer who got me the correct pan and reusable thick gasket.

That $600.00 Hurt,,,, But it was worth it to me. I'm still all GM on My Ride.

 

Yeah I’m thinking the “gm genuine” is what I’ll go with unless i can find an all aluminum one. I definitely don’t want to ever have to replace it again though.

I would like to know if the h2 shares the same radiator as any of its cousins with the 6.2 like an Escalade or a Silverado.

 

Went aluminum about three years ago. Did not have any issues before, just did not want any trans or oil cooler issues. It cools same on flat ground but cools significantly better climbing and towing. Went with Cold Case. What I did find out is Cold Case does not restrict return back to plastic reservoir like a factory radiator does. What that created was a code of a temp not to operating temp. Our winter get pretty cold. Remedy was to restrict that that return line to the size of the factory radiator size. Perfect. By the way this radiator fits a multitude of GMC, Cadillac, Chevy, PU, Tahoe, Escalade, Suburban. Available with configurations for trans and oil cooler needs.

 

I bought mine new from the local GM dealer, Fit perfect, made in the USA. Buying from the dealer, also means that you won't be getting a fake GM part from Amazon.

 

Good to know. I saw it was pretty available everywhere. As for the overcooling issue, I saw someone had the idea to put an adjustable needle valve in the return line. That's what I'll do if there's an issue.

I just called the guys at Radiator Express. Im sure most of their radiators are manufactured in china, but I did see some options listed on their website for well over $1k suggesting that they're probably usa made. They have one listed for $341 that's a 3 row and said they could get it to me by friday. I've heard some mixed reviews about them, but it turns out they're company is based in New Jersey, and I called them and someone who was definitely New Jerseyan answered the phone and was very helpful. I feel better about buying from an American company than some Chinese company on amazon or ebay with no customer support or warranty even if the radiators still come from China.

 

If you decide on cold case be sure to check clearance of end tanks side when you put the top cross piece back over top of the radiator. I clearanced mine slightly to make sure there would not be any rubs from vibration. Don’t remember if it was front or back of cross piece and it was only slightly. These radiators fit a multitude of vehicles and I believe Hummer is the only one with this cross piece that goes over the radiator. All others sit behind the cross piece. The welds on the side tanks is what is close.

 

Don't know about sharing rad's but The GM fits perfect. You got Tranny cooler lines and sensor lines as well as input and output hoses and Gack. Who knows how much you will have to fight to get an aftermarket to fit correctly. Plus the GM is designed for your rig and the other front coolers spacing.

But at the end of the day it is your decision. I'm sure your will make the correct one after your research. BTW ..Not fun changing one out. I had my dealer do it and flush the tranny and cooling system while he was doing the rad install. Good Luck...Keep the 2 on the road.

 

You guys that went OEM, do you have the part # ? Are all year models the same ? Mine is an 05..

 

I don't have the Part number at hand. But since the my motor is an LS2 it might be slightly different I'll see if I can run down the # for your year.

Stand by,,, My Modem is rebooting.....