I tried the search section (although today it doesn't seem to be working). I found mostly 3rd gen results and all were old.
I am looking for advice on replacing my radiator, most likely with a quality aftermarket one.
I have an 08' with 155k miles and my radiator is leaking on drivers side bottom. it is a very slow leak, meaning I only have to fill the recovery tank to bottom line every 3-4 weeks. $30/gallon for radiator fluid and a mess are pushing me to replace it. the Toyota dealership quoted me anywhere from $700-1000 for parts and labor. I've searched auto zone and amazon for aftermarket radiators and they seem to be in the $90-150 range. amazon also offers install at local shop for around $250. (I am sure I can tackle it myself but it seems messy and messing with the trans fluid is not something I want to do.) These seem extremely cheaper than OEM, are there any good ones or ones I should avoid? Do I also need to replace all of the hoses and thermostat at the same time?

Since it will be all apart, do I install a transmission cooler too? I do not tow anything or drive aggressive. But I do have an aging transmission, I camp often and carry a lot of weight when I do. Plus I drive in the mtns a lot and travel long distances to there.

It is so easy and cheap to change the radiator on these trucks. I did mine myself in 1 hour for a grand total of $100 including shipping for a new one from Rockauto. I would stick with denso brand if I were you.

Have you priced one on partznet? May not be as expensive as you think. Maybe your dealer is taking you for a ride.

Dense or koyo can both be had for around a hundred bucks. I just did mine a couple weeks ago, it's very simple and not messy. Your new radiator should have rubber caps on the trans cooler nipples, you can use those to cap your old lines so you don't spill any trans fluid. If not get them from the parts store when you get coolant. Radiator fluid from Toyota can be expensive at some dealers. I've had no problem using parts store equivalent. Get a new radiator cap while you're at it.

do i just empty the radiator only when changing? what about the transmission fluid, i read some where there is a line to here too

did you guys change thermostat too or just take out old radiator and drop in new one?

Just drain the radiator. There's 2 lines on the driver side for the trans cooler that's built into the radiator that you'll need to cap once the lines are off. The lines can just be tilted facing up so they don't drip on everything I just replaced the radiator and cap.

I echo the above, denso or koyo brand. Fairly "cheap" around $100-150 from what I remember. Drain coolant, carefully disconnect trans cooler lines (try to hold them up and cap them or stick a bolt in the line, I leaked very little and checked trans level after with the whole temp check/standpipe deal, didn't need to add any but be smart, if you drip out a quart you better check it), swap radiator easily with 4 mounting bolts after taking out the reservoir and fan shroud. If you're good you can leave the fan shroud in place over the fan and just push it back against the engine. Hook lines back up, refill, squeeze air out, get it hot and let it burp, top off. I changed rad cap too with OEM, cheap insurance. Thermostat was done with the timing belt so I see no need to do it again. Mine was weeping coolant from the driver side bottom few rows where the end tank meets the core, 121k miles.

stopped in at Toyota today in case maybe the last advisor had a brain fart. nope. $900 and change. break down was; $300+ for labor. $400+parts. plus coolant and all their other fees. the parts dept sells "Toyota value" parts, radiator alone is $205.
I found this denso one on amazon but only 3 reviews. such few reviews scares me, it says it will fit my 2008 4Runner, is this one ok to order? I searched the part numbers listed and couldn't find much matching.

I'd say stick with OEM. Koyo or Denso. Whatever you do, don't buy mishimoto AKA shittymoto.

You don't need to replace all of the hoses, but since you're already there, you might as well do it to potentially save yourself the headache later on. And hoses are like $5~10?

I'm not knowledgeable enough on the subject of installing a transmission cooler, so someone else could probably help you there. But the v8's do come with them IIRC, and you'll be working with 2 different lines(coolant + transmission fluid)

Transmission line is different from the rad, and is in front of the rad.

All you need to do is locate the drain port(usually a white screw tab), let it drain until it drips. Disconnect the upper and lower rad hoses, along with a few bolts, and then you can remove the rad.

Just make sure you blurp the system for at least 30minutes before driving it... Most people think filling and topping off the system after doing a swap is enough, but they learn the hard way of the system over heating since there's not enough fluid, as there is still air in the system.

If you have the V6 then the Denso at your link is the correct one...part # 221-3117, if you have the V8 then that not the correct one, the part number for a V8 Denso is... Part #221-3124

V8 link

https://www.amazon.com/Denso-221-312...-3124+Radiator

Rockauto sells both of these as well, a bit cheaper but there will be shipping added to the cheaper price, but you can also get 5% off using the discount code here on the forum.

Link for the discount code...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/rockau...-3-2018-a.html

Rockauto links...

V6 2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4.0L V6 Radiator | RockAuto

V8 2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4.7L V8 Radiator | RockAuto

If its the autonation dealer the "value parts" are not Toyota, they are 100% aftermarket.

thank you @AuSeeker I do have the V6. ill get that ordered. still trying to decide if I want to tackle it myself or find a local shop.

@dinnertime it was an Autonation dealer, I was suspicious when he couldn't tell me who makes it. he said there was no manufacture name listed.

ordered new denso radiator on amazon. new radiator cap. new t-stat (it was only $30 might as well replace at same time). another gallon of fluid.

Pep Boys says they will install customer owned parts and only $200 for the install. I think I might just have them do it. It is getting cold here and with them I can drop it off while I am at work

If you decide to tackle it yourself, it's really not that bad. One suggestion I'll make in addition to others' is that the spring-clamps that attach the upper and lower hoses to the radiator are a b****. If I did it again, I would get 2 or 4 hose clamps of the correct size instead- probably about 2 inch.

Just replaced mine a couple weeks ago at 170k mi (04 V6) with a Spectra brand from Autozone. Had to take what I could get on short notice.

i took a look at it last night and yeah it doesn't look too difficult. other than getting those clamps off and the lower 2 bolts holding the radiator on. i am still thinking of tackling it myself, i have some time off coming up so maybe give it a try on one of those days.