Replacing Rad and Thermostat. A few questions

[KPD 98T4R]

Hi, I am planning to replace the Rad and thermostat on my "new" 98 4Runner (118K miles with no maintenance records), and I have a few questions.

1) I ordered a thermostat made by Kuzeh. Do these usually come with a new gasket? Or will I have to order that seperately?

2) My rad currently has Red coolant in it that looks very clean and clear. Is it safe to assume that it is Toyota Red coolant?
I plan to replace whatever I lose with Toyota red, and I would rather not flush out the whole system with water if I don't have to.

This is my plan of action:
-Drain rad
-Replace old rad with new Koyo rad
-Remove old thermostat and allow coolant to drain out of engine block
-install new thermostat
-connect all hoses
-fill rad with new toyota coolant (mixed 50/50 with distilled water)
-Start engine and add coolant as the system "burps"

Am I forgetting anything?

Thanks in advance for your help:thumb3:

 

[BrianSD_42]

1) I ordered a thermostat made by Kuze

I don't know about this company "Kuze" but you will probably want to use the TOYOTA thermostat. It is a pretty cheap part and its worth the $15-30 for the right part.

I have seen a few threads where the poster installed an after-market T-stat and ran into problems.

 

[KPD 98T4R]

The T-stat I ordered is made by Kuzeh, not Kuze. From what I've read, Kuzeh is the manufacturer of the OEM T-stat. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Thanks

 

[miller_23]

Hello all, I am a noob to the toyota forum and owner of a 97 runner with 233k miles. First thing I did was the timing belt kit, came with a t-stat. The gasket is an O-ring style and the t-stat was the oem replacement. 6 pack of beer and 2 hours you should complete the rad and t-stat job, good luck.

 

[LittleCaesar]

If you are going that far, go ahead and replace both the upper and lower hoses with new OEM ones along with a new OEM radiator cap. It is worth it. Otherwise, you sound good to go.

No, the tstat does not come with its own gasket.

 

[96743runner]

I don't know about this company "Kuze" but you will probably want to use the TOYOTA thermostat. It is a pretty cheap part and its worth the $15-30 for the right part.

I have seen a few threads where the poster installed an after-market T-stat and ran into problems.

+1

I recently changed my radiator, thermostat, etc. and tried using an aftermarket thermostat (BeckArnley brand). It ran over 10* hotter than before with normal driving so I swapped it for a brand new OEM t-stat and it runs at the normal 188* again. Just something to think about.

 

[KPD 98T4R]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Can someone confirm whether or not the OEM T-stat is made by Kuzeh?

I have a new cap on order as well, I just forgot to mention it.
My upper and lower hoses look really good still, so I decided to not replace them.

All suggestions are welcome. Thanks

 

[LittleCaesar]

Yes.

And looks can be deceiving. With that said, however, I have never heard of anyone having a busted hose, either upper or lower.

 

[KPD 98T4R]

Thanks LittleCaesar