What's the facts on replacement radiators?

[mooch91]

So I had a 98 Tacoma for 3 years until Toyota bought it back with 220K miles about a year ago. I was a semi-regular on customtacos and tacomaworld and I don't really remember a lot of discussion about "pink milkshakes". Is this issue specific to the T4Rs?

Just picked up an 02 SR5 Sport with 192K miles on it. I'd like to proactively change out the radiator. Looking to get some info on the aftermarket replacement options. I've been reading for hours and trying to get my facts straight.

Many suggest Koyo. I'm an Amazon shopper and did a quick search there. I came up with three other options. I'd rather buy from Amazon than an ebay seller.

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

Denso
Denso 221-0508 Radiator : Amazon.com : Automotive

Toyota
Amazon.com: Genuine Toyota Parts 16410-YZZAJ Radiator for Toyota 4Runner: Automotive

I didn't confirm if the Toyota one was the right part number.

Some say the TYC is actually a Koyo. Any certainty to this? Mixed commentary on this site if it's a TYC; favorable commentary if it's Koyo/TYC. Can't make heads or tails about whether they are one and the same.

How about the Denso? They seem to generally make OEM or good quality replacement parts for anything else I've used them for.

And what's the going rate for Toyota coolant?

Thanks.

 

[JayRolla]

You cant go wrong with a denso or koyo.

 

[Nates_NW4Runner]

I just bought the Denso a couple weeks ago and I am very pleased with the quality for $100.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I appreciate the nice formatting, especially from a new member.

Some say the TYC is actually a Koyo. Any certainty to this? Mixed commentary on this site if it's a TYC; favorable commentary if it's Koyo/TYC. Can't make heads or tails about whether they are one and the same.

Koyo (Japan) is not TYC (China). :llama:

What's the facts on replacement radiators?

Here's all the "facts" you need to know ----> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-t...far-more-accurately-than-standard-method.html


:yo:

 

[Brian757]

Koyo (Japan) is not TYC (China)

While I've known this to be true forever, I've also had friends buy Koyos online and have a Koyo box arrive at their door, only to find a TYC in the box. It's all very confusing.

I feel like manufacturer questions arise often on this forum. It's just all a guessing game what you get. I guess the only way to garauntee quality is to have Toyota do the choosing and go with OEM Toyota branded parts.

Koyo > TYC (My opinion)

 

[BrianSD_42]

All I can say is that Amazon and Ebay are still the Wild West for this kind of thing.

Just because you order a Tiffany's Diamond on EBAY doesn't mean (duh) it will be real. Ebay does not claim responsibility for what is sold on their own site so ...... you get what you get.

 

[BrianSD_42]

The part # linked from Amazon appears legit.

BUT ... why not just buy it directly from a real (online) Toyota dealer like the one pictured below? ????

In fact it is only $208 (with free shipping and no tax) when you buy from "parts.camelbacktoyota.com"

layball:

 

[Canuckrz]

Its worth noting that Toyota as of the past few years has been sourcing the radiators from a different area than what was originally in the vehicle hense the YZZXX part number. Not to say they are shitty by any means, but they might not be quite as flawless as the original. They did this basically to cut costs and still have a competitively priced product for the replacement market.

If it was me I'd get the Koyo or the Dealership one, whatever is cheaper and or more available. Koyo rads are used very commonly in the MK3 Supra community.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Its worth noting that Toyota as of the past few years has been sourcing the radiators from a different area than what was originally in the vehicle hense the YZZXX part number. Not to say they are shitty by any means, but they might not be quite as flawless as the original. They did this basically to cut costs and still have a competitively priced product for the replacement market.

If it was me I'd get the Koyo or the Dealership one, whatever is cheaper and or more available. Koyo rads are used very commonly in the MK3 Supra community.

:bump2:

Let me expand on this comment. Toyota has always sourced nearly ALL parts from different distributors every few years.

Example: in 1997 the radiator was made by brand X, then in 2000 a guy buys replacement for his 1997 truck, finds out the one at the dealer was manufactured by a different parts maker than brand X, then in 2004, again another person buys one for their 1997 truck, finds out that radiator made by yet another parts maker.

This is because Toyota does NOT make parts.

All that matters is if Toyota dealerships ever carried the exact part from that particular manufacturer.

Some parts makers like Koyo once made the radiator and they may not be the current primary supplier in 2014 for 1996-2002 Radiators at Toyota (when you walk into dealership) BUT since they were once a full approved parts maker for that EXACT part, then you can trust the Koyo is still good.

What you can't trust is ANY part for sale where the manufacturer was never an official parts supplier for that exact part.


:bump2: