OffRoadGuy
New member
[MENTION=119532]Road Bull[/MENTION] I was contemplating the same thing when my OEM radiator was leaking. Glad I went with the aluminum. It sill looks brand new.
Which radiator should I buy
- Thread starter Coolman
- Start date
I put a Denso that I purchased from Camelback in my 97 and 2002 this past weekend. No issues with the fitment, but time will tell when it comes to durability. The box said genuine Toyota Parts, but they are made in Taiwan.
The 2002 original radiator developed a little seep at the bottom that I saw after removing it. I think the 97 also had the original radiator.
The 2002 original radiator developed a little seep at the bottom that I saw after removing it. I think the 97 also had the original radiator.
psraff
New member
I just pulled the trigger on the Champion CC1998 since it's time for the TB \ WP Job.
Come on [MENTION=119532]Road Bull[/MENTION], you might as well jump on the band wagon as well!!
Come on [MENTION=119532]Road Bull[/MENTION], you might as well jump on the band wagon as well!!
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Road Bull
Senior Member
Hahaha... who did you order through? I think I will. It just seems that they don't really make a good OEM version that is not made in China and missing the little things like the radiator drain valve like the original. At least that's the reports that I have been seeing. And if that's the case, it seems like it would be better to go the Champion aluminum route.
Where did you order through? And, how much did it cost?
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HappyHooligan
New member
I just put in a new Koyorad 16400 75180
no issues yet. set me back $123.00
no issues yet. set me back $123.00
psraff
New member
I just used these guys here:
Champion Radiators
Several other places had it for $260-ish, and they had it for $199. But of course it cost me $94 to get it to me....:deadhorse::violin:
Road Bull
Senior Member
That shipping though.... ouch.
MattJakobs
New member
I got mine off EBay and it was free shipping. I’m sure it’s just to the lower 48 though.
I haven’t forgotten about taking pictures for you, I’ve just been getting drilled by classes and can’t find any free time
psraff
New member
....have I mentioned my 3 year plan yet??? :shrug::shrug:
I've given up trying to fight it. I've bent over and just accepted the pain.:yield::yield:
Road Bull
Senior Member
Denso radiatos now = Made in China
So I had been looking at a few radiator options to catch up on some preventative maintenance. I researched current radiator options and none have impressed me that much.
The Champion all aluminum radiator looked interesting. But some of the people who installed it mentioned it was not as "direct fit" as it was advertised. A few were not impressed with the press-in nutcerts mounting. Some simply removed the nutcerts and used nuts and bolts for more predictable longevity. Also some mention that the radiator itself sits on a support member and it made them a bit nervous that it would rub a bit off-road. And most seem to get around any mounting drama by using a combination of longer bolts for mounting hardware, as well as different types of spacers to get the radiator and fan shroud to play nice. Even then, it is not guaranteed that all the holes will line up.
This made me want to give Denso a try. Denso part number 41710 221-0508 is what I ordered from Rock Auto. Someone said they got a non-China made radiator with the same part number... LOL. Guess where mine is made? Hahaha.
Cost: Radiator = $87.79 . Shipping= ($26.99ground). Total = $114.78.
Radiator ships with no cap.
The packaging was probably a bit better than Amazon, but not very impressive. It was mostly loose in a large box with a few long runs of air bladder packaging with a couple corner expanda-foam corner pieces.
No major pieces seem to be broken. Some cooling fins are bent. One side of the sliding frame rails is a bit bent as well. Oh! And the drain valve is just a simple plastic screw piece with a flat rubber gasket. This means that if you drain it, it will simply shoot out towards the rear of the vehicle instead of the downward option that original OEM offers. I have to say that I am not really impressed. I mean, it is probably fine, and none if these things are major issues, but it just seems to be difficult to get a drop-in replacement without drama.
This is my only vehicle, so when I drop the old radiator, it is a pain to discover that I might have to go to the store to overcome some goofy mounting issue. That's what steered me away from the Champion. Now I am coming to the realization that they all have their issues now and we are in China's hands for many of our future replacement parts.
So I had been looking at a few radiator options to catch up on some preventative maintenance. I researched current radiator options and none have impressed me that much.
The Champion all aluminum radiator looked interesting. But some of the people who installed it mentioned it was not as "direct fit" as it was advertised. A few were not impressed with the press-in nutcerts mounting. Some simply removed the nutcerts and used nuts and bolts for more predictable longevity. Also some mention that the radiator itself sits on a support member and it made them a bit nervous that it would rub a bit off-road. And most seem to get around any mounting drama by using a combination of longer bolts for mounting hardware, as well as different types of spacers to get the radiator and fan shroud to play nice. Even then, it is not guaranteed that all the holes will line up.
This made me want to give Denso a try. Denso part number 41710 221-0508 is what I ordered from Rock Auto. Someone said they got a non-China made radiator with the same part number... LOL. Guess where mine is made? Hahaha.
Cost: Radiator = $87.79 . Shipping= ($26.99ground). Total = $114.78.
Radiator ships with no cap.
The packaging was probably a bit better than Amazon, but not very impressive. It was mostly loose in a large box with a few long runs of air bladder packaging with a couple corner expanda-foam corner pieces.
No major pieces seem to be broken. Some cooling fins are bent. One side of the sliding frame rails is a bit bent as well. Oh! And the drain valve is just a simple plastic screw piece with a flat rubber gasket. This means that if you drain it, it will simply shoot out towards the rear of the vehicle instead of the downward option that original OEM offers. I have to say that I am not really impressed. I mean, it is probably fine, and none if these things are major issues, but it just seems to be difficult to get a drop-in replacement without drama.
This is my only vehicle, so when I drop the old radiator, it is a pain to discover that I might have to go to the store to overcome some goofy mounting issue. That's what steered me away from the Champion. Now I am coming to the realization that they all have their issues now and we are in China's hands for many of our future replacement parts.
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I put in a couple of Denso radiators (1 more to go in wife's runner) recently. Got all 3 from camelback. Only charged me 20 bucks to ship for all 3 at once. Talk to George for great customer service! Yeah, not as nice as the original facytory but no problems with the install. The crappy petcocks do not have to be removed completely to drain the radiator. Just unscrew it a little at a time and it will allow coolant to leak out without removing it. When the coolant gets low, you can remove it entirely to speed draining without it gushing out.
Unfortunately the old petcock is not interchangeable.
BTW, the 3 that I got were made in Tawain but said genuine Toyota Parts. Guess camelback has to have that on parts they sell.
Unfortunately the old petcock is not interchangeable.
BTW, the 3 that I got were made in Tawain but said genuine Toyota Parts. Guess camelback has to have that on parts they sell.
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19963.4lsr5
New member
I get rewards at work and convert them to Autozone gift cards.
Got a Spectra rad from them.
This is for the 97 Puppy Hauler. It was packaged much better then the Denso I got from Amazon for my 97 SR5 Project.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Got a Spectra rad from them.
This is for the 97 Puppy Hauler. It was packaged much better then the Denso I got from Amazon for my 97 SR5 Project.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
ToyotaBrah
Member
Could you post a pic of one of the radiators when you get a chance?
jtnumberthree
Member
I’ve got a year on two Densos no issues.
Snowden
New member
Radiator longevity
Sorry if this seems like a dumb question but... How long would/should our original radiators expect to last? I'm at 143+k on the original rad and I'm not seeing any signs of leaks or corrosion that I can tell. I've contemplated replacing it just to be on the safe side but with all this discussion about current market quality I'm a bit reluctant to just change to for the sake of changing it. Thoughts...?
Sorry if this seems like a dumb question but... How long would/should our original radiators expect to last? I'm at 143+k on the original rad and I'm not seeing any signs of leaks or corrosion that I can tell. I've contemplated replacing it just to be on the safe side but with all this discussion about current market quality I'm a bit reluctant to just change to for the sake of changing it. Thoughts...?
JRZEE2000TR4LTD
Senior Member
I think it would completely depends on how well the cooling system has been maintained. Are you the original owner and have you done coolant flushes every 50000 miles? Most replace the radiator as a preventative measure because there is no way to know if the radiator is going to fail in the trans cooler area, especially if you are not the original owner. Of course if someone has a 5 speed, your good.
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octanejunkie
Elite Member
Post a pic of the top tank, specifically any markings or stickers
Does the top of the radiator have an olive drab color to it or is it black? Original radiators have that olive color.
