Radiator lifespan / replacement options

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Stiles97

New member
Hey all ,
97 sr5 5sp. My radiator is not leaking at this point but I am getting ready to do the waterpump and timing belt so I am exploring the idea of replacing the radiator at the same time. Camel back has my radiator listed at $211 ( and I can get it lower with the promo) which seems pretty reasonable to me. I see all sorts of other radiators listed on Amazon ,etc for less but what's the quality?? Original radiator has lasted 212k now with not a single issue but is getting to the point in its life I prob should just replace it. What's the typical life span on a factory radiator ? Am I being overly cautious in just replacing it preemptively? Guess I might as well replace all the rubber hoses too huh. The factory hoses seem reasonably priced as well. Anything better out there? Well not sure if there was a good question in there but it's out there now. Used as a daily driver in the mountains year round ( 100+ miles a day).
 
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Stiles97 said:
Hey all ,
97 sr5 5sp. My radiator is not leaking at this point but I am getting ready to do the waterpump and timing belt so I am exploring the idea of replacing the radiator at the same time. Camel back has my radiator listed at $211 ( and I can get it lower with the promo) which seems pretty reasonable to me. I see all sorts of other radiators listed on Amazon ,etc for less but what's the quality?? Original radiator has lasted 212k now with not a single issue but is getting to the point in its life I prob should just replace it. What's the typical life span on a factory radiator ? Am I being overly cautious in just replacing it preemptively? Guess I might as well replace all the rubber hoses too huh. The factory hoses seem reasonably priced as well. Anything better out there? Well not sure if there was a good question in there but it's out there now. Used as a daily driver in the mountains year round ( 100+ miles a day).
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Hello,

My 2002 had the radiator go bad about a year ago, it had developed cracks and was leaking. If you are still using the built in transmission cooler go ahead and replace the radiator and use an external transmission cooler. I paid $169 for !y radiator, pretty cheap generic unit.

Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A10-70F using Tapatalk
 
The average lifespan has been reached, especially is the tank appears 'brownish' rather than dark gray. I went with Denso and OEM on other parts below, radiator was $94 delivered in a good solid package from amazon.

From my experience I recommend replacing the radiator, both hoses, thermostat/gasket (placed with jiggle valve at 6oclock). I also do Not recommend by passing the radiator's trans cooler, add an external one if you want but don't bypass, even in colorado it gets pretty warm climbing I70 and such. Luck and enjoy. :cowboy:
 
In my experience OEM/denso rads are far superior than the typical aftermarket ones. I wouldn't be so quick to replace your rad if you know the history of the truck.

Rads can last a very long time once coolant has been changed every few years ect However like mentioned above, if you are running a auto box then I'd be more inclined to move away from the built in cooler and run a separate one.
 
segafan1989 said:
No ragrets.
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Denso from rock auto... mine was $89 in 2015. and they replaced it 3 months later from the overflow spigot being broken, no questions asked.
 
Please replace your original 19.5 year-old radiator. It's plastic and aluminum. Also, it's not a very expensive part and the job is easy. Like jgue said, do the hoses, cap and tstat(OEM) while you are there.
 
Thanks for the advice from everyone. I will go ahead and just replace the radiator when I do the t belt and water pump. I had felt this was going to be the case but wanted to bounce it off you all. I had planned on new t stat with waterpump and what not. Now I think I will just replace the hoses too. It has had pretty good maintenance over the years and multiple coolant flushes ( maybe why it has lasted so long ? ). Anyway thanks again for confirming my thoughts. Matt
 
I remember reading a thread related to replacement radiators for our rigs and most went with Koyo or Denso. But then there was a guy who said he had seen both the Koyo and Denso and then compared it to an OEM. He said you could tell the OEM construction was superior. That comment talked me into buying an OEM one from Camelback Toyota. It's about double the price as the others, but I figured I'm going to keep my rig for a long, long, long time and it was worth the investment.
 
mtbtim said:
I remember reading a thread related to replacement radiators for our rigs and most went with Koyo or Denso. But then there was a guy who said he had seen both the Koyo and Denso and then compared it to an OEM. He said you could tell the OEM construction was superior. That comment talked me into buying an OEM one from Camelback Toyota. It's about double the price as the others, but I figured I'm going to keep my rig for a long, long, long time and it was worth the investment.
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Yeah , that's what I'm going to do.
 
Stiles97 said:
Yeah , that's what I'm going to do.
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Like others have mentioned, this might be an opportune time to install an external radiator cooler. I ran mine in-series with the stock cooler in the radiator. And like others, I replaced the upper and lower radiator hoses and thermostat at the same time. One thing to note is the thermostat I ordered through Camelback Toyota didn't come with a new gasket. The gasket is sold separate so don't forgot to order one of those as well. I just visited my local dealer for the thermostat gasket.

Here's a video that might help you out:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2nVbwe2t2T8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
I went with the denso radiator (amazon), but all else OEM ,ran my cooler in series, but you have a 5 speed so no issue

my jiggle valve from the dealer was at 2 oclock, I put it at 6 ( delaer water pump and belts at 101k

next time I do it , or next timing belt ( in about 30k) , I'm ordering at least one thermostat stud and at least one nut, if not all

Always handy to have around
 
I purchased a Denso for my '99 from amazon for around $100 looked about 90% like OEM. However, I purchased one from Carquest for my '97 for around $115 that looked more like 98% OEM. Both have been great!
 
Just got a Koyorad from amazon. Planning on installing a cooler + magenfine filter and switching from green coolant to the red zerex since I will have a lot of the lines disconnected already.

Going to fill and drain with distilled water over and over until it comes out clear and expect that should be enough to switch fluids with no problems...
 
$110 - Better Priced OEM Radiator?

Hey Guys, I have been shopping for a new radiator and some other OEM parts and found that Boch Toyota South (EBToyotaParts) seems to have the best pricing, at least that I have found. https://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth.com/ Brand New OEM Radiator for my 99 SR5 3.4 Automatic Trans is $110 + Shipping $20. That seems to be the best price out there for an OEM Radiator, and I don't mind the shipping as I need to get some bulbs, and sun visor holder, new transmission dipstick (does everyone elses look like its been folded into some oragami and bent back? :))

Should I do the thermostat while I am at it? As far as I know both are original with 170k miles on them now... Probable add a trans cooler while I am at it, without bypass.

Anyway, if anyone knows of a better price out there for an OEM Radiator, I will be placing my order within a few days, and wanted to share...

$130, with shipping was the best I could find...
 
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