I use one of these:
2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD ALL ALUMINUM RADIATOR 6.0L 8 364 | All Aluminum Radiator | Chevrolet Parts

Believe it or not, for the price, it vastly outperforms the stock plastic tank radiators. I didn't think it would be this good when I got it because it felt too light (and the top mounts were bent) but I've been running it a month on a clutch fan in 100* temps and I hold a steady 180*.

Downside to aluminum tanks is that they are too pretty and a very easy way to get burned accidentally.

 

I hate to admit this because I rag on china stuff all the time but this was the only replacement all aluminum radiator I could find in 34" to go along with my factory efans.

The quality and fit was absolutely perfect. The performance is equally as good.

Going down the highway yesterday in upper 90s ambient my truck was running 167 degrees.

If used in a cold climate, I image the grill would have to be blocked up. Would never get up to temp.

I also run 70 percent distilled water and 30 percent green coolant. I needed to put together a bigtime cooling system that could handle ambient temps up to 115 here in Houston with the ac blasting and all the added hear from the turbo exhaust.

I recommend that radiator

 

I use 15% Dex-Cool and 85% water with a full bottle of Water Wetter added.

 

is it thicker than stock?

 

No the dimensions are the same

 

it says its 1 1/4" thick and my stocker is 1" thick. would one of you guys mind measuring the thickness?

 

My core is 1.242" thick. They pack it pretty tightly too.

 

cool so it is about 25% thicker

 

And about that much lighter too.

 

Here is one that I am looking at now:

2 Rows 99 12 Fit Chevy SILVERADO1500 2500 GMC 4 8L 5 3L at?34??Aluminum Radiator | eBay