Is there any write ups on this? I was going to hold off and just do it with the timing belt and water pump but those aren't due for another 18,000 miles and I'm getting twitchy with all this pink milkshake talk. So I want change it out soon but I've never done a radiator, any links would be great.
Thanks,
Ron

Just replacing the radiator really is super easy. Don't be intimidated by it (not that you are, just don't be). Assuming you go with the Koyo/TYC 1998 like most people here do, and like I did last week, it's a drop-in direct fit, with the side brackets already on it. Literally it's just this:
1) Remove your grille (held on by %$^* clips)
2) Remove your skid plates
3) Turn the drain valve at the bottom of the radiator to drain the coolant (~2 gallons)
4) If auto trans, remove the two trans fluid hoses at the bottom (have a pan ready)
5) Remove the upper and lower radiator hoses (the big ones that connect to the engine)
6) Remove 4 small bolts to remove the fan shroud and back it away a few inches
7) Remove 4 larger bolts that hold the radiator side brackets to the truck
8) Lift the radiator out and set aside

Drop the new radiator in and follow the above steps in reverse. Fill with fresh coolant, or just put back in what you drained, and top off your transmission fluid to replace what you lost from those lines. Have a cold beverage.

You could also replace the radiator cap and hoses with new ones, but it's not absolutely necessary if they are still in good shape.

Thanks so much, that's what I needed just a few tips.

Thanks,
Ron

Where do you guys pick up the koyo rad for the runner? off my usually online autoparts place in canada I'm seeing a CSF rad for 265. Not sure what CSF is, I would much rather the koyo but I didn't even find it on ebay so I'm not sure where I could pick one up that would be willing to ship to canada. Any help would be appreciated.

Amazon.com: TYC 1998 Toyota 4Runner 1-Row Plastic Aluminum Replacement Radiator: Automotive

Amazon itself is currently sold out, but the link above is one of their partners and it's the same radiator. Price works out to be about the same.

No idea about shipping to Canada, though. That's like a foreign country, eh?

Amazon is where i ordered mine from, funny thing though it said it didn't fit my truck

Strange. It says it does fit my 2000 SR5, and I can confirm that it does.

What year is yours? I'm 99.97% certain that all 3rd gens use the same. Also, Amazon's parts fitter is not always reliable, FWIW.

I just ordered 2 from Amazon yesterday.
Amazon.com: TYC 1998 Toyota 4Runner 1-Row Plastic Aluminum Replacement Radiator: Automotive
One for my 4runner and the other for my mom's 4runner. I'll also be replacing the upper and lower hose, thermostat with gasket, and radiator cap. Both of our 4runner is 99. Mine has 163k and my mom's just hit 200k. Both running on original rads.

Dont forget to burp when you're done installing the rad (and after enjoying a cold beverage).

From Wiki:

1.During the initial fill, fill the coolant reservoir bottle to the top of the cold fill range.

2.Set the temperature blend selector to the full warm position and the fan motor control to high for the front and rear heaters. (IMHO...you don't really need to turn the blower on, just turning it to hot will get coolant into the core, the fan will just let you know when you're feeling heat)

3.Start the vehicle with the reservoir cap off and allow to idle until the thermostat opens
NOTE: the coolant level will drop quite a bit when the thermostat opens - that's most of the air bubble in the system being driven to the top of radiator and escaping. Without the air, there's more room for coolant.

4.Top off the coolant in the reservoir bottle to the top of the cold fill
range.

5.Install and tighten the reservoir cap.

6.Increase the engine rpms to 3,000 for 15 seconds, and then return to idle for one minute.

7.Repeat the previous step four times or until heat is coming from the rear unit while the vehicle is idling.

8.Allow the vehicle to cool and top off the coolant in the reservoir to the cold fill range.

Steve - where are you in Canada? There are some JDM places in the Toronto area that carry some decent rads. They probably don't ship though.

Hey thanks for links, so that TYC is that a koyo copy? It seems very well priced, I'm sure I could get that to my foreign country without to much hassel. The one thing I noticed is that it says its a single row plastic rad... The CSF one which I can easily get is a 2 row rad. I am no expect in rads but I would assume 2 rows provides better cooling over 1... ?

Either way heres the link

1997 Toyota 4Runner Radiator in Canada - Canada 1997 Toyota 4Runner Radiator

I did a bit of research on the company and apparently they are the #1 supplier for import rads. Anyone on hear running this rad?

Cheapest I've found right here. It doesn't say Koyo anywhere in the listing. But I bought a TYC 1998 on ebay and it was a TYC part number 1998 and the box said "KOYORAD" on it. This is probably the same thing.

Toyota 4Runner Radiator 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 OEM Replacement | eBay

Replacing it is easy, especially if you remove the old rad and leave the mounting rails in. Just drain, remove hose and tranny fittings, remove bolts, slide it out, slide in new rad, reattach everything, fill it up and, yes, don't forget to burp it.

Mine is a 2001 and it even shows up in the "will fit" section but when I entered my info it said it does not fit. 195,000 on the original so it's time...

Radiators.com or Radiatorbarn.com all Alum. radiator no plastic crap!

I've got a quick question. Do you pour the transmission fluid back in the transmission dip stick tube? And is it an orange one located passenger side toward the bulkhead? I didn't see any directions to it in the owners manual. This is my daughters car I'd be changing the radiator for and am not familiar with the 4runner. 1998 auto 3.5. And what is the total transmission capacity? Only saw a 2 liter quote for a dump- but that seems awful low from other cars I've owned.