Aftermarket Bumper / Radiator Fitment Issues?

[AlpineCoder]

Hi all,

I have a ShrockWorks front bumper on my 01 automatic w/ 107K. I also run a BM70268 inline with my radiator (inline for a variety of reasons), and I decided to replace my radiator as a pink milkshake preventative. I picked up a TYC A1998, which I was lead to believe is the same as the Toyo A1998, just in a different box (not sure if this is actually true, but it was listed as an "OEM" fit).

When I went to install the new radiator, I found that it would not fit between the frame rails with the bumper mounts on there. Obviously the OEM radiator fits, so I measured them up. Sure enough, the TYC / Toyo (?) is about a quarter inch wider at the bottom than the OEM unit. I attempted to change over the side supports from OEM to TYC to see if that was the issue, but the radiator tank itself is actually slightly wider. It looks like it would fit fine between the frame rails on a stock truck, but no go on mine.

So, my question is has anyone else ever run into this with TYC / Toyo / other aftermarket rads? Are there any aftermarket rads that are known to fit with Shrockworks / other bumper brackets in place? Or do I need to go drop $325 at the stealership to get a true OEM one?

Thanks for the help.

 

[AlpineCoder]

Also, on a related note, anyone want to buy a never-been-used (install only attempted once) TYC A1998 radiator? :bigok:

$40 if anyone wants it ($90 new on Amazon). CO area would probably be best since shipping on it would be killer, but if you want to pay the shipping I'll send it anywhere I guess.

 

[criera]

Same thing happened to me. I left i descriptive review on amazon and ive mentioned it in a couple different threads here. Luckily i was at a friends shop trying to install this so he had all the crap we needed.

What we did is made relief cuts on the raised part, hammered it flat, ground it smooth, and welded it. Not pretty but im happy with it and it dropped in fine. If you are looking at the supports that might make sense, let me know if not.

Also you might be able to get by without the welding but i prol wouldnt advise that.

So to all you milkshake haters out there, be warned to steer clear of the tyc as you are not guarenteed to get a koyo as others have been able to.

 

[criera]

Also...i thought the tyc quality was crap compared to the oe. If you dont want to bother with it, id recommend getting an actual koyo or denso, heard only good things about them. Heres my post i mentioned earlier:

Posted this in another thread but thought it might be helpful/relevant here for future reference:


Replaced my radiator, installed a trans cooler and gave her a good flush. Have to say though, im pretty unhappy about the TYC radiator i got from amazon. It did not come boxed or labeled as a koyo like others have received.

From my research i half expected "fitment issues," but it straight up did not fit. Luckily i was at a friends shop because we needed to cut grind and weld on the support brackets to make them clear between the frame. Granted my problem was exacerbated by my arb brackets, but even without those present, the supports would have been pinched between the frame rails and at the first sign of frame flex who knows what would have happened.

Also it was missing a bolt, one of the plastic mounting tabs was already cracked, support bracket mounting tabs were bent, etc. definitely not near the quality of the oem i was replacing.

Was half tempted to return it but i really wanted to rest easy not worrying about a milkshake at 180k miles so we made do.

I know people have repeatedly said koyo/tyc are same product but I dont doubt i received a lesser radiator then the koyos people have been getting. personally i would not buy another TYC. Fwiw nowhere on the radiator or packaging was there any indication of anything branded koyo.

Gripe complete, moving on.

 

[AlpineCoder]

Also...i thought the tyc quality was crap compared to the oe. If you dont want to bother with it, id recommend getting an actual koyo or denso, heard only good things about them.

Thanks for your help, sounds like the TYC is just a crapshoot and I should try a Koyo (thanks for the correct) or a Denso.

Before I go out and buy another radiator, can anyone confirm that a Koyo / Denso will in fact fit without issue with aftermarket bumper supports? I'm going to go postal if I drain my coolant (and waste another $30 of Toyota Red) and another one doesn't fit.

 

[SIKHILUXSURF]

i have a koyo and no issues with fitment.

 

[AlpineCoder]

Sounds like my issue is just TYC being crappy. I'll try and get a Koyo and see if that works better. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[HoosierSR5]

Hey guys, Bringing back and old thread but wanted to provide some additional information. I have a Shrockworks bumper installed on my 2000 SR5 and just ran into the same issue. Wish I would have read this thread prior to starting this job. I purchased the Denso and it is also about a quarter inch wider than and OE radiator. I also tried to put the old mounting brackets on but still would not fit since the radiator is wider. I am going to try to call the parts center and see if I can return it and get the OE but we'll see. If not, I may have to hammer the bracket flat to fit it between the Shrockworks bracket.