Radiators - Koyo vs The REST

Reading all these "milkshake" threads are scary. I gotta get the radiator changed on the new to me 97 SR5. Was checking out various options and everyone seems to be recommending Koyo. Somewhere on the thread, the following link was recommended, supposedly called TYC but a rebranded Koyo - Amazon.com: TYC 1998 Toyota 4Runner 1-Row Plastic Aluminum Replacement Radiator: Automotive

However, the customer reviews state otherwise, not sure if it is really a Koyo, tempting price BTW.

I also came across the following Denso while browsing on operations, any experience with this -

Amazon.com: TYC 1998 Toyota 4Runner 1-Row Plastic Aluminum Replacement Radiator: Automotive

order the denso from partsgeek... 100 shipped.
 
order the denso from partsgeek... 100 shipped.

Thanks for that, will order. I hope they are reliable and the rad will fit and is good stuff.

Now thinking whether should I try to install it myself or get it done. I like tinkering around, but I've never worked on this truck! :behindsofa:
 
so the OE rad is/was made in china? that koyo is. i don't trust anything made in china, especially a part like this.
 
so the OE rad is/was made in china? that koyo is. i don't trust anything made in china, especially a part like this.

When it comes to cars, usually stuff in china, japan, korea are more reliable than anything american made. Again koyo is great, its ran in 100's of high HP applications. I ran it in my 400whp talon for years and it ran better than the stock one.
 
400whp talon

I want to see the dyno sheet:offtopic:

But back to the radiator issue. If you don't have a radiator/milkshake issue now why not try this. Instead of replacing the entire radiator, cap off the transmission lines and run it only to the cooler. It doesn't have to go through the radiator to operate properly. I know it has already been said, but from an earlier post it may be a little confusing, because some suggested running it back into the "new" radiator or the oem system which would be the radiator.

Here is my thought on it.

You mount a new transmission cooler to the front of the radiator to keep the transmission fluid temperature down. Theoretically this new cooler is doing this, but the you take the lines off the new cooler and plumb them back into the radiator where the hot coolant is passing through. Now the already cooled transmission fluid is passing through a container that is carrying excessive amounts of heat all the time and transferring it to the transmission fluid before returning to the transmission.

My suggestion would be to not use the reservoir in the radiator at all for transmission fluid. Mount the cooler and keep the radiator you have and if the radiator starts to leak.

As far as coolant goes your generally not supposed to mix different types of coolants. If your 4runner has green coolant in it and you change your radiator, but plan on using the red coolant you should flush the system thoroughly. I also suggest having the coolant put in under vacuum. this prevents air pockets being trapped in the system causing cavitation.

Just a thought.:wink2:
 
Oem

After i installed my reman engine i was contemplating if i should go with an aftermarket brand or OEM,since part of my warranty deal is to get a new radiator or clean it i decided to go OEM just the fact that i already dump 90% of parts i bought are OEM so i just let it roll and went with OEM. It's only money after all,LOL.
 

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Most recent thread on rad replacement I could find, sorry to resurrect; what is the better rad now, Koyo or Denso? Best place to buy from? Running trans cooler seperate, does it come with the necessary hardware to seal off the trans cooler ports?
 
I bought a denso radiator from amazon 9 months ago. I expected to be same as a OEM Toyota radiator. It was not as good and arrived with a broken off by-pass nipple. In particular the rubber mounts on the OEM Toyota were not on the the aftermarket Denso and overall quality was not same as the Toyota radiator. I returned the broken Denso and bought a genuine Toyota radiator. If it didn't have the broken by-pass nipple I would have just gone ahead and used it. My point is, Denso makes the Toyota Radiator but the Denso's sold online are not the same as the ones in a Toyota box.

Correction, it is NipponDenso that makes the Toyota radiator. Thanks T4R2014

I think Koyo is better than Denso but Toyota Branded Denso is best. I've had all three. I like to buy from Amazon (Im a prime member) although Toyota of Dallas and Grapevine Toyota have good prices to. They come with rubber plugs over the tans ports but they would need a zip tie or something to hold them on better.
 
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Are the trans ports metal? Could I use hose clamps? Did a quick search using "Toyota Branded Denso" and not finding anything right away, can you help me source?
 
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For anyone wondering, the OEM radiator on 3rd Gen 4Runner's is made by NipponDenso. If you look closely on the top of the radiator, you will see the "ND" logo like this one:

AU208773


Just wanted to put it out there before anyone started believing the rumor that Koyo is the original supplier. There could be supplier changes during certain build dates that I am not aware of but I am just going off of what I have seen.
 
I just replaced mine with a Denso, and it fit perfectly and arrived in near perfect condition..well a few fins needed straightened but great quality.
 
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I just replaced mine with a Denso, and it fit perfectly and arrived in near perfect condition..well a few fins needed straightened but great quality.

Did you got it from amazon?
I was going to get one, but I saw the reviews about the awful packaging.
 
Did you got it from amazon?
I was going to get one, but I saw the reviews about the awful packaging.

Yes, I purchased mine off amazon, link to it . Package upon arrival was a little beat up but it was all good on inside. I figured if i had issues, it was shipped by amazon though prime, free two day shipping if I needed another one for some reason. I did not use the trans cooler lines as I have a manual so I cannot attest to the functionality of that part.
 
Yes, I purchased mine off amazon, link to it . Package upon arrival was a little beat up but it was all good on inside. I figured if i had issues, it was shipped by amazon though prime, free two day shipping if I needed another one for some reason. I did not use the trans cooler lines as I have a manual so I cannot attest to the functionality of that part.
I will probably give it a try, hopefully it would arrive fine.
 
I don't know, I recently purchased a Koyo and it sucked! I was not happy at all, me and my friend had to drill new holes. The radiator didn't fit correctly...

10599352_10152324083116943_3575112684832174573_n.jpg
 
I don't know, I recently purchased a Koyo and it sucked! I was not happy at all, me and my friend had to drill new holes. The radiator didn't fit correctly...


Amazon too?
some people on Amazon said that they were receiving TYC radiators with out the hybrid Koyo/TYC stickers/box.
 
I had no fitment issues with the Denso I recently purchased. One piece of advice is to never tighten all the bolts down until you have them all started. Not sure if you did that or not but it could have made a little difference.

Oh also if you have a universal joint adapter you should be able to get the front bolts out and back in without removing the grill. :trophy:
 

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