Radiator leaking, replace plus or minus transmission cooler

[Gull81]

Hey all -

My radiator has been leaking a bit since I changed my water pump. It is old and not factory. Its overdue to be changed at this point either way. I plan to swap the thermostat, upper and lower hoses, and get the proper clamps for the hoses.

Would you all recommend I bite the bullet and add a separate transmission cooler while I am at it? I don't tow or drive off road. Just city streets.

Also - anyone have suggestions for the transmission part - I know Denso is suggested, but it seems like the old suggested transmission part numbers are no longer offered?

Best,
Gull

 

[TheSaturnV]

I think for light duty I'd just leave the system as-is and replace the radiator. It works well enough and you'll be set for another 10+ years.

 

[jgue467]

I would base it on typical average summer temps (mine are over 100 more than 50 days on avg per year - so its HOT).

Another consideration is hills - mountain passes and just plain mountains - if you have them I would use an extra cooler plus use OD override.

If its really hot and hilly like my area then you also need a Fan - ask me how I know.

Bonus tip - Make absolutely 100% certain the jiggle valve on the thermo points DOWN to 6 oclock position - again ask me how I know this is Beyond important.

Luck and enjoy the Runner.

 

[Hungryhawk]

My 5th gen radiator built in trany cooler works very well. I watch coolant and tranny temps on my scanguage 2. Inside the radiator there is a temperature gradient and it effectively cools the tranny fluid with the factory radiator built in tranny cooler.
Manually shift lower when tranny hunting for correct gear. Usually means lowering your road speed some on long grades and passes. Just find that engine torque & HP sweetspot till you are back to flatter roads.
I am not towing mountains but do drive fast in summer heat with truck packed for long outings.
Downshifting on steep grades quickly drops tranny temp fron 210 or so to under 200.

 

[T4R2014]

Stock will serve you well. Aftermarket radiators are nowhere near as robust or held to the QC standards as an OEM Japanese made and I would regularly inspect it. If you really want a robust solution it looks like CSF makes a very nice aluminum radiator with a built-in ATF cooler.

 

[alumarine]

My Spectra CU1998 is at least 10 years old and is working fine.

 

[Gull81]

Stock will serve you well. Aftermarket radiators are nowhere near as robust or held to the QC standards as an OEM Japanese made and I would regularly inspect it. If you really want a robust solution it looks like CSF makes a very nice aluminum radiator with a built-in ATF cooler.

I found an OEM radiator from my local dealer for a reasonable price it seems, but I just need to make sure its correct.

I imagine aftermarket hoses for the radiator will be okay - I cant bring myself to spend extra on OEM rubber hoses.

 

[GhostRing]

I found an OEM radiator from my local dealer for a reasonable price it seems, but I just need to make sure its correct.

I imagine aftermarket hoses for the radiator will be okay - I cant bring myself to spend extra on OEM rubber hoses.

My OEMs from Amayama were about $13 USD ea.
Granted that was a few months ago and combined with other parts,
but well worth the cost for legit components.

 

[T4R2014]

I found an OEM radiator from my local dealer for a reasonable price it seems, but I just need to make sure its correct.

I imagine aftermarket hoses for the radiator will be okay - I cant bring myself to spend extra on OEM rubber hoses.

Oh boy, I can't tell you how crappy my luck was with Dayco hoses. Gates might be better but aftermarket usually uses the same PN for upper and lower, requiring some cutting. It never fits right and they leak like crazy because they are slightly larger. You can skip a Japanese made radiator but the hoses are worth every penny.

 

[phattyduck]

I don't tow or drive off road. Just city streets.

Just a quick note here - only top-gear driving with the torque converter locked is 'low stress' on the transmission cooling circuit.

Around-town driving raises transmission temps just like driving off road.

You are probably just fine with the stock cooler, just something to know. City streets is NOT easy driving. Highway with cruise control on is...

-Charlie