Compatible radiators for a 3.4L 3rd gen 4Runner?

[FabMMoi]

Hi guys,

Like a few others my 96 4Runner's radiator splitted (200k miles), and I'm looking to get another one to replace it. I'd like to keep it inexpensive as we need to run pressure tests, not knowing if the head gasket is cracked or other pressure-inducing expensive issue yet.

Problem: I live in the UK and own the only 3.4L V6 in the country, so finding parts can be a bit of a challenge.

There are a handful of Japanese Hilux Surfs for parts in the country, some diesel and some 3.0L petrol or less, so I was wondering what specs radiators are compatible with my model?

note: although I expect that to be mostly engine-dependant, I've seen small assembly differences between the Hilux Surf and 4Runner parts, as well as LHD/RHD differences. And I don't know if the Surf existed as a 3.4L...

If none of these work, would anyone in the UK have a part sourcing recommendation? Euro Car Parts doesn't have that, for instance.

Thanks in advance for helping me save our beloved Runner!

 

[thegipper]

Have you tried Partsouq.com?

They ship to pretty much all over the world. Their prices are really good but larger items can get pricey because of shipping costs from Dubai.

 

[FabMMoi]

They don't seem to have the radiator for my model unfortunately ("Not Available").

Now, I'm pretty sure I can find the part matching my trim online (ebay and such) so there are other options than this specific site. But since they're not OEM or expensive, knowing if I can use another trim's part would definitely broaden the options.

 

[Bad Luck]

They don't seem to have the radiator for my model unfortunately ("Not Available").

Now, I'm pretty sure I can find the part matching my trim online (ebay and such) so there are other options than this specific site. But since they're not OEM or expensive, knowing if I can use another trim's part would definitely broaden the options.

Try looking for denso part number 221-0508

 

[phattyduck]

Diesel radiators have the hose connections reversed (left vs. right on the top and bottom). Any of the gas motor radiators should work - there is a chance that there are 2rz/3rz Surfs in the UK or Europe. LHD vs. RHD won't matter for the radiator.

-Charlie

 

[Malcolm99]

Hilux Surf was available with the 3.4L 5vz-Fe.

 

[jeff88]

FWIW, the 5VZ came with three (at least) different sized radiators: short, medium, long depending on the vehicle. I tried to install a short radiator, but I could never get a radiator cap that would hold. It kept trying to spin out which would allow coolant to seep out. It never burst, but it would turn about a quarter turn. You might be able to try looking at one of the other vehicles, but YMMV with how well it works.

 

[FabMMoi]

Thanks for the heads up!

=> I found this, a Nissens at a good price that, according to the description, is a replacement part for my 1640075180 (got the part code from part.toyota.com, which tells me it's been superceeded with 16410AZ011 since then). Do you think that's good?

New Nissens Engine Coolant Radiator Toyota 4 Runner 95- Land Cruiser 90-96 5707286219861 | eBay


[MENTION=564148]Malcolm99[/MENTION] the 3rd gen Surf wasn't sold at all in the country, only models you'll find here are Japanese import (RHD), and apparently none of them are 3.4L (by choice maybe, or not available in Japan?).
[MENTION=139000]phattyduck[/MENTION] yes there probably are some 2RZ and 3RZ, that's what I was wondering: would part from these cars match?
[MENTION=99886]jeff88[/MENTION]: interesting. Was the radiator cap included or did you try to install yours onto the new radiator? What if the radiator cap comes with the radiator itself?

 

[FabMMoi]

Thanks [MENTION=319302]Bad Luck[/MENTION] The Denso is 3 times the price in the UK than the Nissens linked above (a bit more than the OEM), do you think the Nissens would do the job as well?

 

[Bad Luck]

Thanks [MENTION=319302]Bad Luck[/MENTION] The Denso is 3 times the price in the UK than the Nissens linked above (a bit more than the OEM), do you think the Nissens would do the job as well?

I think that should bolt up and work. I compared it to Koyo which makes a thicker core radiator without an internal transmission cooler: Koyorad Racing - Products : High Performance Racing Radiators and the measurements convert to within a few mm's.

 

[FabMMoi]

Thanks that's awesome. I'll order it and hopefully the head gasket don't let us down. Cheers

 

[Malcolm99]

We get the JDM Hilux Surf as a RHD with a 5vz-fe 3.4L imported all the time in Canada.

 

[phattyduck]

FWIW, the 5VZ came with three (at least) different sized radiators: short, medium, long depending on the vehicle. I tried to install a short radiator, but I could never get a radiator cap that would hold. It kept trying to spin out which would allow coolant to seep out. It never burst, but it would turn about a quarter turn. You might be able to try looking at one of the other vehicles, but YMMV with how well it works.

All US 4Runners came with the "long" radiator (4 or 6 cylinder). The medium and short radiators are only available on the Tacomas, and would not (likely) be available outside the US.

-Charlie

 

[jeff88]

[MENTION=99886]jeff88[/MENTION]: interesting. Was the radiator cap included or did you try to install yours onto the new radiator? What if the radiator cap comes with the radiator itself?

I originally tried my existing cap, but when it didn't work I started searching for others ones, including getting help from the dealership. They were nice enough to let me try a couple and return them when they didn't work and then I gave up and went back to "stock".

 

[FabMMoi]

Update: got the Nissen to my garage, and apparently the automatic transmission connection doesn't match... looks like it'll be fun.

 

[Bad Luck]

Update: got the Nissen to my garage, and apparently the automatic transmission connection doesn't match... looks like it'll be fun.

If I was you I would install an aftermarket transmission fluid cooler and bypass the radiator

 

[FabMMoi]

Confirmed: the automatic transmission cooler connections won't match mine (see picture below). Is that something I can fix with some sort of adapters or does it need an entirely different model?

 

[FabMMoi]

If I was you I would install an aftermarket transmission fluid cooler and bypass the radiator

It is quite an ordeal to get a matching part for this car in the UK, and I'm still just trying to figure out if I have a blown head gasket, so I'm not entirely sure I should invest in more parts before even getting there?

 

[Bad Luck]

It is quite an ordeal to get a matching part for this car in the UK, and I'm still just trying to figure out if I have a blown head gasket, so I'm not entirely sure I should invest in more parts before even getting there?

Good point. If you are just trying to get it to where you can drive it some (not far or for long) you could use a piece of metal pipe to loop the transmission cooler lines together. Just a thought if you are in a pinch

 

[FabMMoi]

Good point. If you are just trying to get it to where you can drive it some (not far or for long) you could use a piece of metal pipe to loop the transmission cooler lines together. Just a thought if you are in a pinch

I'm mainly trying to start a pressure test (short use indeed), but overall it's better not doing the same job twice, so I'll probably just return that part and find another one, hoping for the best.