1st gen radiator issue

[Jamacee]

Been awhile since I last posted. I'll post about that later when I start a build thread lol.

My new to me 87 4r just started a radiator issue. I have a downey air intake and I suspect that the air plenum tube was pressing on the upper radiator hose. Combo that with the braze on closest to the upper hose outlet breaking loose and the radiator started rubbing back and forth. Well it developed a small leak under the upper hose outlet.

Today it also had a small crack on grill side of radiator. Managed to hobble home without overheating.

My question is this. The dealership (Cherokee Toyota in ATL) said they normally tell folks to buy aftermarket rads from a shop locally called Marietta Radiator. I called them and they said they should be able to fix original radiator for around $85 and then recommended a power flush for additional $99 finished with Aisin red coolant.

So a OE rad is $500+/- and aftermarket is $100-$400 depending if I get plastic/Aluminum or All Metal.

My original radiator can be fixed but it is old and I don't think the quote to fix includes rodding it or whatever else they do. The power flush may get most of the old crap out of it but I would be at $185 w/ fix and clean.

What would y'all do? Just get a new aftermarket one and if so which brand? My eyes are going crossed using search feature and there are tons of different opinions and varying recommendations of manufacturers.

Hope that makes sense. I am typing wilst having my 2yr old crawl over my desk.

 

[KidVermicious]

Stay away from the plastic/aluminum rads. I'd hit up a couple rad shops and ask their opinion - their profit margin will be higher on the repair, so if one or two say the new rad is the better idea, you'll know they're not BSing you. Then compare the cost of making your existing radiator like new vs buying a new one, and then compare the warranties for each, and you should be able to make an easy decision.

Personally, I'd probably buy new OEM.

 

[fourwd1]

I'd get a Modine or TransPro replacement. And I'd get one for a 22RET, it has a thicker core.
Actually, it's what I did.

Stock 22R on top, TransPro/Go-Dan for a 22RET on the bottom.
All metal for $92 (10 yrs ago).

 

[Jamacee]

I called Radiator.com and got a quote on a Vista-pro all metal OE replacement one for $215 after tax and free shipping.

Anyone ever bought from them before?

 

[77'911]

If you want an original Toyota unit (ie brass/copper), you might consider calling a discounting dealer (OLathe Toyota, or the like). No affiliation, just satisfied customer. You'll find discounting dealers over the web will reduce the local dealers price, by as much as 40-60%, depending.
Our local dealer quoted me $795 for a rad (for the part), and I found it online for $585. This was for a 1990, V6, auto, 4WD. My guess is, your truck will be much less. The nice thing about the factory unit, it's plug and play(no fitment issues).
regards

 

[Jamacee]

From what I am finding the OE replacement ones(aftermarket) are supposed to plug and play. When I t/t radiator.com they made sure to ask about the variations on the bottom radiator hose placement. Mine is inset about 6".

I like the idea of using the larger 22rte radiator but are there fan clearance issues? Seems it is already kind of tight in there.

Any issues?

 

[Jamacee]

On the Vista-Pro website it appears they are also Pro-Rad.

I looked to see if there was a difference with their 22re vs. 22ret but it looks to be the same part#

Vista-Pro Online Parts Catalog part#438020 - 87 4runner 2.4L

fourwd1 - You have a link on the others?

 

[fourwd1]

No link, I just went to the TransPro warehouse and bought it.

 

[77'911]

radiator .....

From what I am finding the OE replacement ones(aftermarket) are supposed to plug and play. When I t/t radiator.com they made sure to ask about the variations on the bottom radiator hose placement. Mine is inset about 6".

I like the idea of using the larger 22rte radiator but are there fan clearance issues? Seems it is already kind of tight in there.

Any issues?

I've found aftermarket units don't fit very well, ie tabs where they bolt up or attachment points for shroud, etc.. The plastic/aluminum units are junk compared to the brass/copper ones. The copper units cool better and last much longer. When changing ours out, I noticed Toyota had significantly increased the core density(compared to the old unit). We could have just fixed the tank on ours, but since the truck is driven by my elderly parents, I really did not want issues down the road. We actually got $25 for the old rad in metal value which assisted in reducing the financial pain of the new unit.
Having said that, I get why people go with aftermarket units. Best of luck with the repair.
regards

 

[Jamacee]

The radiator shop by me apparently is also the distributor for a slew of Autoparts places around here.

I just dropped it off to them to evaluate my original OE rad. If it is repairable it is $95 which will include boiling it out and roding it and fixing the broken braze on points and sealing the 2 cracks. If it is not fixable it is $15 for eval and nothing for eval if I buy a new rad from them.

Downside is they are only finding plastic/aluminum as a replacement.

The Vista-pro rad I was quoted from radiator.com must be a older item b/c Vista-pro apparently went out of business under that name about 5yrs ago according to this shop but I can still pull up the part number on their working website? So something seems fishy.

$200-$250 for a good rad I can do but $400-$500 is a little too much. Napa has a CSP but they say $376 and I can only think it is b/c of the cost of metal going up so high.

Any links to specific OE replacement/aftermarket rads appreciated.

Oh and I called World Toyota out here but their replacement rads are also plastic/alum. Made by Kyocera?

 

[Jamacee]

Looks like my rad is fixable and still has good flow! Boiled and soldered and ready for pickup.