New radiator suggestions

[Ironman707]

Hey what's up guys, so I've been thinking of changing the radiator lately, no big reason why. I'm just a few thousand miles from hitting 100k so I'd like to take care of it before I do, so I'm looking for any suggestions you guys might have for a certain brand. I'm also gonna do a tranny cooler with a new radiator, just to make sure that I never get the strawberry milkshake. (I actually have nightmares about that lol)

Also does anyone know if there's a drain plug to drain the coolant from the engine block? I've seen threads of 98's that have them but can't seem to find anything about a 02.

I'm also planning to change the fan clutch since I just saw a video on YouTube and it seems pretty easy so I thought i would knock I down since I'll have the radiator off. I'm also thinking of doing a cooler thermostat but I don't tow anything and I live in the Bay Area so I don't have any crazy mountains in my commute so that just might be overkill

So please let me know what you might suggest... I'm open to anything at the moment

 

[jgue467]

Don't fool around go Denso: https://www.amazon.com/Denso-221-05...ywords=OEM+2001+toyota+4runner+radiator+denso

I'd also replace the thermostat with nothing but OEM. Jiggle valve down to 6 o'clock.

Don't need to drain block, it will drain completely when you remove the thermostat. Just pour distilled water in top hose and watch it flush out.

Don't forget to maybe flush it first with the front and rear heaters on to circulate them out too.

Use nothing but distilled water and if replacing coolant use toyota red undiluted.

If your fan clutch is starting to stick, throw some wd40 into the front where the rusty coil spring is, it'll breath new life into it. Ask me how I know.

Luck and enjoy the runner. :cowboy:

 

[mtbtim]

Hey what's up guys, so I've been thinking of changing the radiator lately, no big reason why. I'm just a few thousand miles from hitting 100k so I'd like to take care of it before I do, so I'm looking for any suggestions you guys might have for a certain brand. I'm also gonna do a tranny cooler with a new radiator, just to make sure that I never get the strawberry milkshake. (I actually have nightmares about that lol)

Also does anyone know if there's a drain plug to drain the coolant from the engine block? I've seen threads of 98's that have them but can't seem to find anything about a 02.

I'm also planning to change the fan clutch since I just saw a video on YouTube and it seems pretty easy so I thought i would knock I down since I'll have the radiator off. I'm also thinking of doing a cooler thermostat but I don't tow anything and I live in the Bay Area so I don't have any crazy mountains in my commute so that just might be overkill

So please let me know what you might suggest... I'm open to anything at the moment

I suggest you buy an OEM radiator through Camelback Toyota $210.

I wouldn't bother with draining the engine block. A member on the forum did it and it looked like he got maybe a 1/2 pint out. Not worth the effort.

Here's a couple videos that will help you out:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2nVbwe2t2T8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WzhlACxqeqQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Ironman707]

I suggest you buy an OEM radiator through Camelback Toyota $210.

I wouldn't bother with draining the engine block. A member on the forum did it and it looked like he got maybe a 1/2 pint out. Not worth the effort.

Here's a couple videos that will help you out:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2nVbwe2t2T8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WzhlACxqeqQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thanks for the heads up... I'll skip the block and just swap out the radiator

 

[MACT4R]

Koyorad is a good option as well. I have koyo on both of my 4runner. Did a trans cooler upgrade on the 3rd gen. No issue so far.

 

[Troybylt]

I'm just a few thousand miles from hitting 100k

Ha! Ha-ha! *sigh* ...230k...

Jelous man!

That said many things on cars not just our trucks have a lifespan independent of milage, at 14yrs old rubber and plastic begins to break down.

A good example is the radiator should be replaced every 100k or 10yrs whichever comes first or 80k 8yrs if you live where it reaches freezing temperatures for more than a few weeks. Fluids too, they may be withing their milage but way out of date. With as low milage as your truck is I'd hate for you to not get the most out of it. Just because your truck is stopped doesn't mean chemistry hasn't.

I would definitely do your rear axle seals now if you haven't already.

 

[pluton]

I suggest you buy an OEM radiator through Camelback Toyota $210.

I wouldn't bother with draining the engine block. A member on the forum did it and it looked like he got maybe a 1/2 pint out. Not worth the effort.

That's the radiator that I got. Made by Denso.
Radiators don't go on miles...they go on time. Yours is 14 years old(if original).
Don't drain the block...instead, replace the T-stat. Most of the coolant will blurp out when you pull out the old thermostat. Use an OEM thermostat.

 

[StreetCreeper]

You can't go wrong with those Denso ones unless they get damaged during shipment. I decided to go the local route instead and picked up a Spectra brand radiator for about $103 out the door at Pep Boys when they had a a 30% off sale this summer. I figured if there was anything wrong with it I could just take it right back.

No complaints and zero issues so far.

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[SoCal C4S]

Bought a new Denso, thermostat and gasket last night (using the link above) for $123 shipped.

 

[dpg]

I went the "Dealer" route, new OEM radiator, upper and lower hose, thermostat, gasket and coolant. They gave me 15% off parts and 15% off labor and the best part, lifetime warranty at my local dealer on all OEM parts installed. The price was $500.00 but, no hassles and warrantied.

 

[jgue467]

Bought a new Denso, thermostat and gasket last night (using the link above) for $123 shipped.

Smart move. I ordered from amazon too and the packaging/shipping was solid, you could tell they took care of it, no banged up/crushed box. Luck and enjoy.

 

[SoCal C4S]

I'll have my local Yota mech get it installed this week. He can order the hoses for me and it will probably be under $200 installed. I can live with that.

 

[SoCal C4S]

I'll have my local Yota mech get it installed this week. He can order the hoses for me and it will probably be under $200 installed. I can live with that.

So, my quote to do the radiator and thermostat swap was 4.5 hours worth of labor @ $337.50, plus hoses. Is it just me, or does that number seem awfully high??

 

[jgue467]

Seems like too much time to me. S/b more like 2.0hrs, if that.

Its not a difficult job to do yourself. My only suggestion is to ensure you have 20-24" extensions to remove the radiator bolts (from in front of the grill) without removing the front grill and it's really easy to break plastic clips.

They're probably trying to make some extra $ since they're not making anything on the parts sale. :cowboy:

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The radiator (I went with a Koyo $100 on amazon) swap was incredibly easy on the 3rd gens and just tackled mine back in January with 186k miles on the radiator,hoses and thermostat and swapped everything out and had it running in less than 2 hours and spent less than $170 total. It was one of the easiest radiators I ever swapped.
The radiator even included the metal brackets already attached so you can just remove the old ones with the radiator and throw in the new one.

 

[JayRolla]

So, my quote to do the radiator and thermostat swap was 4.5 hours worth of labor @ $337.50, plus hoses. Is it just me, or does that number seem awfully high??

Both jobs combined has an estimated labor of $192-$246. $246 being top dollar. This is for labor only. These websites usually have more than a few shops that will use these quotes. Your getting quoted really high. I would charge someone $150 labor to do these two jobs.

 

[mtbtim]

So, my quote to do the radiator and thermostat swap was 4.5 hours worth of labor @ $337.50, plus hoses. Is it just me, or does that number seem awfully high??

Use the videos I posted earlier as a reference and do it yourself. This is a very easy job.

 

[Rockdawg84]

while it is hard to argue with OEM but I might offer a secondary option. I went with a 2 core all aluminum Taco 4 cyl radiator.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82171-smokey-build-11.html#post1649264

The problem I see with going denso or specter or most standard radiators is that they are all built on the principle of an alum core with plastic tanks crimped top and bottom often resulting in pink milkshake for those with autos and leaking tanks for all. Just my 2 cents. :biggrin1:

 

[fmars62]

Hey what's up guys, so I've been thinking of changing the radiator lately, no big reason why. I'm just a few thousand miles from hitting 100k so I'd like to take care of it before I do, so I'm looking for any suggestions you guys might have for a certain brand. I'm also gonna do a tranny cooler with a new radiator, just to make sure that I never get the strawberry milkshake. (I actually have nightmares about that lol)

Also does anyone know if there's a drain plug to drain the coolant from the engine block? I've seen threads of 98's that have them but can't seem to find anything about a 02.

I'm also planning to change the fan clutch since I just saw a video on YouTube and it seems pretty easy so I thought i would knock I down since I'll have the radiator off. I'm also thinking of doing a cooler thermostat but I don't tow anything and I live in the Bay Area so I don't have any crazy mountains in my commute so that just might be overkill

So please let me know what you might suggest... I'm open to anything at the moment

OEM everything! was engineered to last long time

 

[cbr900boy]

OEM lasted 260k so replaced it with another OEM from Camelback. Also replaced the cap as well since it dosent come with it. The thing is the original radiator wasn't even bad but since i bought my rig used it was one of the first things i replaced along with timing belt, thermostat, yada, yada, yada, all oem btw. And yes the jiggle valve must be in the 6 o'clock position.