Just found the inconspicuous leak that these stock radiators get on the bottom of the passenger side tank.

I'll be purchasing the denso radiator off rock auto. I'm curious if the aftermarket upper and lower hoses are safe ex. dayco, continental, gates, etc. I also own a 99 tacoma, and had an issue with aftermarket hoses being a slightly larger inside diameter than the OEM hoses, which then lead to the hoses leaking out of the ends when the system pressurized. I'd like to avoid this problem if at all possible, but, I also don't want to pay twice the money for each hose if its not going to be a problem.

Anyone purchased aftermarket radiator hoses and had any issues?

I was going to also purchase the aisin thermostat off rock auto as well, as im assuming its OEM. Doesn't come with a seal though.

Any advice would be great!

Thanks

I would have no problem with Conti or Gates hoses - Gates would be my first choice.

The Aisin thermostat I bought from Rock Auto 2 years ago had the rubber o-ring seal.

As for hoses, Gates is the only aftermarket brand I use and I've never had a problem.

If you're replacing the serpentine belt, watch out. Local parts store sold me the wrong one but it was listed for this vehicle...it was a 119cm belt, whereas the Toyota part is a 120cm. Major PITA during installation before I figured out the error by looking at the old belt I removed. That extra centimeter makes a big difference.

When I did my radiator, hoses and thermostat I also did the timing belt, and replaced the pulleys. I figured "while I am in there, may as well". I did not replace the tensioner bracket because it is tuckering back in there pretty good. I removed the new pulley from the new bracket and put the new pulley on the old bracket. IIRC the tensioner pulley is a right handed thread ( right to loosen, left to tighten).

I assume you meant to say you replaced the serpentine belt when you said you replaced the "timing belt" since your V6 has a timing chain and not a belt like the V8 does.

for the v6 motors, serpentine belt, you can use the tacoma 4.0 belt from the dealer, its alot cheaper for some reason, now gates makes a good belt, im using the green heavy duty one for my setup, might not be able to find that one, ran a dayco brand before and its works fine also.


now for the hoses, i ran the dayco stuff before, its ok, the upper one i used wasnt really that good and it started to leak a little, now i swapped all hoses out and use gates, and its been fine since, haven't seen any leaks.

also the denso radiator too, no leaks yet, i think my original one was fine, only show leak from the hoses, so i shouldnt have swapped it out.

Be careful to ensure the Dayco/Gates/etc belt is the right length. I got sold a 119cm belt by the parts store two years ago, and last week while installing a Tacoma belt from the dealership I noticed it was marked 120cm. Went on much more easily than the previous belt also.

AuSeeker, yes, I meant the serpentine belt.