Radiator replacement/External tranny cooler

[T4R_Finally]

I've been looking around for info on swapping out the radiator and installing a separate tranny cooler. Looked into the stickies and don't find a lot of information, other than this is a good thing to do to prevent the pink milkshake. Don't want to ask anyone to reinvent the wheel. But if someone knows of a good DIY post on this, can you help me find it? Or, a brief description of what needs to be done and/or good components to use, I'd appreciate it. This may not be something I do right away, but would like to before too much time goes by.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...oler-transmission-cooler-install-3rd-gen.html

 

[zcruiser]

You can just use the OEM radiator and not use the internal tranny cooler.

Is there a problem with your current rad other than wanting to prevent pink milkshake?

 

[T4R_Finally]

No problems with the radiator at all. It's running great overall. Just looking to prevent known problems if possible. Prior to me buying it, the radiator was recently flushed and filled and new hoses installed.

 

[LittleCaesar]

T4R,

I got to ask why did the previous owner's sell your newly acquired 4runner? It seems they went beyond the call of duty for maintenance and then just sold it.

If you live where the temps get 90+, I'd get the B&M 70264. It retains a little better cooling ability for the real hot temps. Either one will work though.

 

[T4R_Finally]

T4R,

I got to ask why did the previous owner's sell your newly acquired 4runner? It seems they went beyond the call of duty for maintenance and then just sold it.

Well, the seller didn't do it "just" before selling it. It's just something that has been done within what I would consider recent history. The only thing that was done just before selling it was new valve cover gaskets, and that's because it had a small leak. They sold it because his wife decided the Toyota was no longer worthy of her and she bought a new Lexus instead. The husband seemed genuinely disappointed to have to get rid of it. When I called him and made him the offer, instead of sounding happy, he almost sounded upset.

Anyway, long story, but most of what I was told about my T4R has been backed up by carfax and paper history. The only problem I have with it right now is it's throwing a P0420 CAT code and did so right after I picked it up. The seller claims it never happened to him and I have no evidence to call him on it. But I'm expecting fedex any minute with my new O2 sensor to see if that is the culprit.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Ah, one of those folks. My best friend is married to a succubus. God help the common man if her Kim K wannabe derriere isn't riding in the best auto he can afford (GX 570). I often wonder if Lexus buyers understand that it is still a Toyota. Maybe you could have gotten them to lower the price even more if they were unaware of such.

Good luck with the O2 sensor. If that does not do it, it may be the cat. Also check to make sure your PCV valve is working.

 

[T4R_Finally]

You can just use the OEM radiator and not use the internal tranny cooler.

Is there a problem with your current rad other than wanting to prevent pink milkshake?

zcruiser, are you suggesting that maybe I just leave the radiator in there (not buy a new OEM one) and add a tranny cooler? Haven't investigated costs yet. Any idea what a OEM radiator would run me? I really need to flush and fill my radiator soon, but don't want to spend the money and time to do it and then install a new radiator in the near future.

 

[awdjunkies]

zcruiser, are you suggesting that maybe I just leave the radiator in there (not buy a new OEM one) and add a tranny cooler? Haven't investigated costs yet. Any idea what a OEM radiator would run me? I really need to flush and fill my radiator soon, but don't want to spend the money and time to do it and then install a new radiator in the near future.

2 options:

1998 34 4Runner Parts - Toyota Parts Cheap.com


OR



1996 - 2002 Toyota 4Runner KOYO Radiator A1998 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

 

[Volley]

zcruiser, are you suggesting that maybe I just leave the radiator in there (not buy a new OEM one) and add a tranny cooler? Haven't investigated costs yet. Any idea what a OEM radiator would run me? I really need to flush and fill my radiator soon, but don't want to spend the money and time to do it and then install a new radiator in the near future.

I left my radiator in and just installed the external tranny cooler. Used this site for the write up (first mod on my truck actually) and it was super easy. I'd just het the cooler for now if it were me.

 

[T4R_Finally]

I've decided to just do a radiator swap, no tranny cooler. Stock radiator made it 120k+ miles, so a new one should be sufficient for a while longer as we'll have no heavy duty cooling needs such as towing, hill climbing, extreme wheeling, or hot climate. I'll be ordering a new Koyo replacement as soon as my ebay bucks convert to credit. I already have the supply of Xerex Asian Formula 50/50 mix that I'll need.

I was originally going to do a flush and fill. Now, it will be a drain, replace radiator, and fill. So, even if I park at a downward angle when draining, no doubt some coolant will remain in the engine. Do I just fill the radiator to the top, run it until it warms up, then top off the reservoir, and then check and fill periodically? Or do I need to be more careful or calculating about how much coolant I add after installing the new radiator? I know I could do a flush with water after installing the new radiator, but there would still be something left in the engine, and I'd rather it be a little older coolant than straight water when I go to put new coolant in.

 

[tbst]

I had to let it warm up (sitting idle), with the cap off. It bubbled a lot and then I added radiator fluid while it was bubbling.

I tried the method of filling it to the top, however there was so much air in there the car started overheating when I drove it around the block.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I'd save some more $$$ (hard to due during the holidays) and buy a replacement t-stat and gasket along with a new radiator cap. All OEM.

I never have had an overheating problem by just filling up the new radiator, let the engine get to operating temp, sit overnight, and check the level the next morning.

IMHO, reuse the original radiator mounting brackets rather than the ones that come with the Koyo. The former line up better with the holes.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Thanks. I will be replacing the other parts as well. I just wanted to be sure of how to refill and make sure it isnt possible to overfill. I will make sure to burp it.

 

[Drcoffee]

Consider mounting the cooler so that the ports either face to the side or down. In extreme cold the ATF will gel preventing the fluid from flowing through the cooler if the cooler is full after shutdown. By positioning the cooler properly, it allows the fluid to dran back to the transmission after turning off the engine.

Can some explain how so many vendors can claim they are selling a KOYO radiator but then below the item description I keep sseeing this:
"Made by high-quality manufacturers (TYC, PBI, Visteon, Modine)"

Either its made by KOYO or its not. The KOYO rads seem to be about $250 so if you see $120, it may not be what you think.

I just bought a VistaPro from rockauto simply because it has 2 rows of cooling tubes as opposed to 1 on the other radiators. The more row, the better. I think it as $120'ish + shipping. If anyone has experience with VistaPro please share any bad experiences.

Thanks

 

[T4R_Finally]

Can some explain how so many vendors can claim they are selling a KOYO radiator but then below the item description I keep sseeing this:
"Made by high-quality manufacturers (TYC, PBI, Visteon, Modine)"

Either its made by KOYO or its not. The KOYO rads seem to be about $250 so if you see $120, it may not be what you think.

Dr., many things these days aren't what they seem. For example, I work for a company called Siemens. It wasn't until a few years ago that I realized that we actually own companies like Sylvania and Bosch. If you don't watch the news, be aware that there are a lot of companies that are farming manufacturing work out to places like China, Mexico, etc. So, with regard to the KoyoRad radiator, it can be and is confusing. If you read my thread, you'll see my plan was to buy a Koyo radiator on ebay because I had a significant amount of credit I could use to buy it. When it came time to buy, I couldn't find one by searching for "Koyo". I got more creative in my search and found a TYC for 4Runner, part number 1998. Well, it's made by TYC but it's a KoyoRad. It was $117 and change shipped to my door and I had $65 in credit towards it. The picture below is what showed up at my door and is now installed in my runner.

 

[Drcoffee]

I guess I'm wondering if it's a knock-off brand using KOYO's name with their blessing and a little cashola. I would be skeptical of the quailty. How did it fit in the factory mounts?

Who is TYC and what kind of Reputation do they have?

 

[RunninInGA]

I purchased and installed this same radiator, purchased from go-part.com. Exact same box, numbers, and similar price. Fitment was spot on. I'm comfortable with the quality of this product after seeing the stock unit in side by side comparison.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Doc, my understanding is that tyc makes rads for several brand names. I know, over on my dodge forum there was a guy looking a new radiator and he was asking about tyc. I dont think its a knockoff. I believe its a koyo. As runnin said, the fit was perfect and the finish was as good or better than the stock. The only real difference that stood out to me was that the tranny line hookups on the stock rad were silver in color and the new ones were brass or gold colored. Other than that, put them side by side and you couldnt tell the difference. The new rad came with new mounting brackets. But i removed them and just bolted the radiator to the stock brackets using the new hardware and everything lined up perfectly. It also held right at the exact amount of coolant that i drained out of the old one.

 

[96743runner]

Dr., many things these days aren't what they seem. For example, I work for a company called Siemens. It wasn't until a few years ago that I realized that we actually own companies like Sylvania and Bosch. If you don't watch the news, be aware that there are a lot of companies that are farming manufacturing work out to places like China, Mexico, etc. So, with regard to the KoyoRad radiator, it can be and is confusing. If you read my thread, you'll see my plan was to buy a Koyo radiator on ebay because I had a significant amount of credit I could use to buy it. When it came time to buy, I couldn't find one by searching for "Koyo". I got more creative in my search and found a TYC for 4Runner, part number 1998. Well, it's made by TYC but it's a KoyoRad. It was $117 and change shipped to my door and I had $65 in credit towards it. The picture below is what showed up at my door and is now installed in my runner.

Sh*t that's the radiator I got. Thought it was the Koyo everyone here was running. Oh well, no problems so far...