Radiator

[UTEP]

Am pretty sure it's my radiator it already has a crack going across under the cap and yeah I should change the hoses as well

This photo illustrates the biggest problem; the brands are simply stamped in ink on the flat plate area and are otherwise identical IME. I wonder how many radiator manufacturers exist in the world.

At one point I did an exhaustive search about radiators and all I could really conclude was avoid TYC and buy locally or with firm return policy as fit can be an issue.

I opted for a Spectra from autozone with a lifetime guarantee. While this will be little solace if I develop a pink milk shake I plan on by passing the radiator to cool ATF this spring and that will not be a concern.

The Spectra was a perfect fit and as I said identical to what was installed, I seem to recall discerning a faint Denso stamp.

If I had the choice of an oem or Koyo for close to the same price I would have opted for those for sheer superstition if anything

Man anyone here remember getting an old school radiator "rod out" where the shop would actually break the soldered seal on the tanks (used to be all metal rads back then) and punch a rod through the water channels to clear out build ups then solder it back up. We'd even solder up damaged fins! Frickin' plastic and aluminum......

 

[KidVermicious]

This photo illustrates the biggest problem; the brands are simply stamped in ink on the flat plate area and are otherwise identical IME. I wonder how many radiator manufacturers exist in the world.

There are many cases out there of products coming out of the same factory and not being the same quality.

Yukon Gears and USA Gears quite literally come off the same line - the ones that pass the higher quality control tests get boxed as Yukon, the ones that are not as good but acceptable get boxed as USA. That's probably the situation with all these radiators that are "identical" to the Koyo - they didn't pass the higher quality control that Koyo demands from their contractors, so they got sold on to somebody willing to retail them cheaper.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Man anyone here remember getting an old school radiator "rod out" where the shop would actually break the soldered seal on the tanks (used to be all metal rads back then) and punch a rod through the water channels to clear out build ups then solder it back up. We'd even solder up damaged fins! Frickin' plastic and aluminum......

My Cruiser still does have an all metal radiator. It's a custom built, dimpled core. I think the modern radiators last longer, but when they fail, they die.

 

[lilsid112]

I'd stick with oem personally. I replaced my original one last year with 210k on it for peace of mind. My mentality is if it lasted this long why experiment with another brand.

 

[airmax233]

I called koyo today and they told me they don't sell directly to the public so they game me the numeber to one of there authorize dealer and they want 180 for the koyo is that fair?

 

[IBallEngineer]

I called koyo today and they told me they don't sell directly to the public so they game me the numeber to one of there authorize dealer and they want 180 for the koyo is that fair?

I called Associated Radiator in Covina, CA and they will sell it to me for $135. Tell them Jaime sent you! That's a H sound for you not familiar. Like Jose.

 

[airmax233]

So after a month later doing research and making phone calls to various places I decided to pull the trigger on a oem Toyota radiator

 

[sawguy]

My $100 denso from parts geek had koyo stamped on it along with denso.

 

[thor999]

My $100 denso from parts geek had koyo stamped on it along with denso.

I heard the Denso is just as good anyways? If not the exact same thing?

 

[txbonds]

Got the koyo for my 97 from here: Koyo Cooling Systems A1998 Radiator | eBay


However when I got mine last year it was $144 shipped. It came in a koyo box and as far as I know its a koyo radiator.

 

[sawguy]

It's been awhile since I installed it, but I remember seeing it. Possibly on the side. One thing I do remember is that it fit perfectly and exactly like the OEM.