Radiator Advice

[gebomartin]

I want to replace my radiator on a '02. Any brand better than another? Any suggestions? I'm keeping this 4Runner til death do us part.

 

[brillo_76]

I want to replace my radiator on a '02. Any brand better than another? Any suggestions? I'm keeping this 4Runner til death do us part.

Denso is the oem mfg of the original radiators. Rock auto sells denso. Good idea changing the radiator if its an auto as they should be replaced every 10 years to prevent the pink milkshake issue..:/ If you still have a original radiator after 20 years, I definitely would replace it.

Lots of folks use Denso or other reputable brands like champion or koyo. That is really up to you.

 

[jgue467]

+1 on Denso, that's what I bought, off of amazon - which several folks on here said theirs arrived damaged, mine was pristine. Just checked, looks like prices have doubled since I bought one 5 yrs ago, about $210. Don't forget the cap and thermostat while you're at it.

 

[JoeT4R]

+1 for Denso. Hoooooowever, [MENTION=95183]octanejunkie[/MENTION] recently did a champion aluminum radiator and I'm fairly sure he did a write up somewhere— whether that be on his build thread or somewhere else. Might be something worth looking into, I think it was pretty cool. I'm sure he'll chime in once he sees the tag on this post.

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[JoeT4R]

Oh and also if you haven't already done a trans cooler, that might be a good time to put one in. They aren't difficult to install and you've got lots of options. I personally run the B&M 70268. They're like $80 and totally worth the money!

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[CaptObvious]

Definitely recommend going with Denso from RockAuto and the Trans Cooler. Search around here for instructions on the install, I did one on mine and it took about 15 extra minutes since I was already R&R'g the radiator.

 

[octanejunkie]

I reference the write up in my build thread

Champion Tacoma Radiator in 3rd Gen

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[aa010175]

I have a 2000 with the original radiator. It doesn’t leak. I just took it out ( doing a head gasket) and filled it with white Vinegar and left it in for 48 hours to clean it out. I don’t know if it was the right way to clean it out? Dave

 

[Bad Luck]

I have a 2000 with the original radiator. It doesn’t leak. I just took it out ( doing a head gasket) and filled it with white Vinegar and left it in for 48 hours to clean it out. I don’t know if it was the right way to clean it out? Dave

The cost of a new radiator is chump change compared to a new transmission if the trans cooler in the radiator fails. There is really no way to check it either so most people either install an external cooler and bypass the internal cooler or replace the oem radiator every 10 years/100k miles.

If the plastic parts of your radiator are brown then it’s time for a new radiator regardless.

 

[brillo_76]

I have a 2000 with the original radiator. It doesn’t leak. I just took it out ( doing a head gasket) and filled it with white Vinegar and left it in for 48 hours to clean it out. I don’t know if it was the right way to clean it out? Dave

If your rig is a manual, you still should replace it. If it's a auto it's not worth a pink milkshake.

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[blarchitect]

Also replace the top and bottom hoses and test/replace the thermostat.

 

[nissanh]

Buy OEM radiator hoses.

 

[96RedRunner]

I have a 2000 with the original radiator.

What color is the top tank? It should be black as they age they turn brown, brown I would get another.

 

[Useatorquewrench]

OEM. Denso