Which radiator should I buy

Coolman

Coolman

New member
So I need to get a new radiator today. I would like to get a denso online but I need to drive it as soon as possible.
So I went to a few stores and they had them in stock. They were Murray, spectra premium and a built tough one. They were all the same price. Which brand should I get?
*edit* my friend is alowing me to use their car for a while. so i do have time to order one online. should i get koyo, denso or spectra*
currently looking at these ones
http://www.amazon.com/TYC-1998-Alum...&qid=1442157822&sr=8-4&keywords=koyo+radiator
http://www.amazon.com/Denso-221-050...1-fkmr1&keywords=denso+radiator+96-02+4runner
 
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I'm in the Spectra camp. I installed one on a Pathfinder, and now on my Runner. Fits nice. Build is nice. Price is nice.

Most everyone here swears by their Koyo, but you can only get them online on ebay IIRC.
 
I have the sprectra and have no complaints after 4 years. But given the choice, I would buy the Denso.

Check out rockauto.com as well. They ship fast
 
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Drcoffee said:
I have the sprectra and have no complaints after 4 years. But given the choice, I would buy the Denso.

Check out rockauto.com as well. They ship fast
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Just curious, what do you feel is better about the Denso, I'm getting ready to buy A radiator too & am torn between the spectra & Denso.
 
I'm in the same situation after a stick got stuck between the radiator and fan while playing in some deep water and it put a hole though the radiator. Money isn't an issue as they are only $208 from camelback, but part of me thinks it would be better to get one from autozone, advanced auto, or Napa as they all have a lifetime warranty and its a lot easier to locate one of them if on the road to replace it instead of being broke down for a week waiting on a part to ship in. There is usually a box store in every decent size town, so I'm leaning towards aftermarket.
 
Coolman said:
So I need to get a new radiator today...Which brand should I get?
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FWIW I replaced my original radiator after 14 years with 310K when I replaced my TB/WP. I only replaced it and added the B&M cooler as a precautionary measure after reading about the strawberry milkshake. Says a lot for OEM. (Not everyone has had the same experience)

When it comes to the radiator, LBJ's, sensors, and a few other parts, IMHO OEM is the best way to go. I would google the heck out of each brand and read as much feedback as possible before making the purchase.

Living in Florida, you probably run a lot hotter than someone like me in the NW. You definitely want a good radiator. Can you get a rental car for a few days until the radiator is shipped?
 
I got a denso radiator. Just remember the denso got a 25% thicker radiator core (1.25 inch thick) and better at cooling. Most other radiators are 1 inch thick.

Denso is well built. If you plan to buy one just tell the seller to check the overflow nipple is intact and before shipping, ask him to add some additional packing around the nipple.
 
Another vote for Spectre premium. A few months ago I installed one in my 99 4runner. It fit great and appeared to be as good as stock. I bought it from Rockauto, and the first one came with one of the radiator line nipples bent due to the packaging, so they sent me a replacement the next day.
 
I bought a Koyo through a friend who knows a dealer. Cost me about $80 but I think list is closer to $120.

It is an excellent, quality radiator. Exactly the same dimensions as stock, cores and end caps look a little beefier.

Worth the trouble to get one for sure.
 
Coolman said:
well im seeing mostly siggestions for the denso radiator. i think im gonna go with that.
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RockAuto has it if you're opposed to ordering it from amazon. Especially considering the number of people who complain theirs was damaged.
 
4xt4r said:
Just curious, what do you feel is better about the Denso, I'm getting ready to buy A radiator too & am torn between the spectra & Denso.
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I believe Denso is Japanese made and an oem supplier. No gimmicks, just solid products.
 
I have never heard complaints on any of the brands. Had KOYO on my last 4runner and recently put a DENSO in this one.

Given the choice, DENSO would be the best choice due to them being the OEM supplier as mentioned.
 
I want to say it's something like 65 bucks online at camelback Toyota. Go to camelback, order an oem, and put that it. I replaced my oem with oem, and it was cheap. Not only that, but if Toyota thought it was good enough to start with, why not keep going? Especially since there is no real other option that provides and increase in how cool you're motor is going to run. I think the thermostat opens up at 162? However if you have to replace the radiator, take some time and put the Toyota long life red coolant in there. All things I have done, and it's been great.
 
OEM radiator runs $200 from camelback and doesn't qualify for free shipping due to size. I just went through this with them, that's why I went with the Denso for less than half the cost.
 
Be warned if you get the Denso on Amazon: The radiator seems pretty solid, but the cap may be an issue.

Replaced my radiator a few months ago as part of the timing belt job. Used the $100ish Denso I ordered on Amazon. Was driving home from Denver to Nashville yesterday and almost to KC my truck started overheating...pulled over to discover steam shooting from my overflow tank. Long story short the radiator cap had failed, no longer keeping the coolant under pressure and allowing it to boil. The service advisors at Crown Toyota went above and beyond on a Saturday and and not much later I was back on the road with a full radiator and reservoir and no problems for the rest of the drive home. Quite relieved that it wasn't something more serious.

Moral of the story: keep an eye on your radiator cap.
 
Brique said:
Be warned if you get the Denso on Amazon: The radiator seems pretty solid, but the cap may be an issue.

Replaced my radiator a few months ago as part of the timing belt job. Used the $100ish Denso I ordered on Amazon. Was driving home from Denver to Nashville yesterday and almost to KC my truck started overheating...pulled over to discover steam shooting from my overflow tank. Long story short the radiator cap had failed, no longer keeping the coolant under pressure and allowing it to boil. The service advisors at Crown Toyota went above and beyond on a Saturday and and not much later I was back on the road with a full radiator and reservoir and no problems for the rest of the drive home. Quite relieved that it wasn't something more serious.

Moral of the story: keep an eye on your radiator cap.
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That's odd. The denso I purchased from amazon didn't include a new radiator cap so I reused my old one.
 
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