Radiator, to be or not to be, replaced
#1
Radiator, to be or not to be, replaced
hi,
vehicle is 90, p/u, ext cab, 4WD, v6, no air, 5 speed manual, 182k miles
just had my mechanic install a timing belt, water pump, front seals, themo and idler. while in the process he brought to my attention the fact that my radiator has a tiny pinhole leak.
so, i'm looking at replacing the radiator, as i'm told the stop leak stuff can be bad for heater cores. and the thing is 21 years old and who knows when the next leak will start.
the oem is around $550. but NAPA has a replacement for $180 and my local rad shop has one for $241.
in general i tend to go with toy oem whenever i can, but the price diff in this case is huge. both of the non-oem tanks are all metal—brass/copper.
i'm hoping to keep the truck running for another 3 to 4 years.
does anyone have any experience with non-oem tanks? i'm thinking even if the quality is not as good as a toy tank it should be good enough for a few years. or, am i looking for trouble?
thanks for any replies.
vehicle is 90, p/u, ext cab, 4WD, v6, no air, 5 speed manual, 182k miles
just had my mechanic install a timing belt, water pump, front seals, themo and idler. while in the process he brought to my attention the fact that my radiator has a tiny pinhole leak.
so, i'm looking at replacing the radiator, as i'm told the stop leak stuff can be bad for heater cores. and the thing is 21 years old and who knows when the next leak will start.
the oem is around $550. but NAPA has a replacement for $180 and my local rad shop has one for $241.
in general i tend to go with toy oem whenever i can, but the price diff in this case is huge. both of the non-oem tanks are all metal—brass/copper.
i'm hoping to keep the truck running for another 3 to 4 years.
does anyone have any experience with non-oem tanks? i'm thinking even if the quality is not as good as a toy tank it should be good enough for a few years. or, am i looking for trouble?
thanks for any replies.
#2
Registered User
i would go with napa... it will last you another 5 years easily. bang for your buck! just use fresh antifreeze every time instead of just regular water.
Last edited by 4x4climber; 05-12-2011 at 01:49 PM.
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Broken Arrow, OK
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Go NAPA.... I have installed a lot of their rads over my 5 years that i ran a shop and never had an issue with one.
another place to check is 1800RADIATOR some times their prices are 30-60 cheaper than NAPA FYI...
another place to check is 1800RADIATOR some times their prices are 30-60 cheaper than NAPA FYI...
#7
Registered User
i have an oem one out of an 88 4runner that is used that i could sell you pretty reasonably if you want. it is rather old, but no cooling issues or anything. was working great when i took it out of the truck.
....edit: nevermind. just realized you have a v6. mine is 22re.
....edit: nevermind. just realized you have a v6. mine is 22re.
Last edited by bryan89; 05-13-2011 at 05:58 AM.
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
you can get exactly same as OEM by buying an aftermarket denso... look at densoaftermarket.com
when I say exact, I mean exact... denso is THE supplier for toyota after all
the other choice is to find a koyo (not the racing type, but the regular stock replacement kind).. they are an OEM supplier for other japanese makes, so their quality is also excellent
when I say exact, I mean exact... denso is THE supplier for toyota after all
the other choice is to find a koyo (not the racing type, but the regular stock replacement kind).. they are an OEM supplier for other japanese makes, so their quality is also excellent
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have you tried Advance Auto Parts? You can buy it online and pick it up or have it shipped.
Enter the code RADX at check out and save 25%
It is the plastic tank with aluminum core.
I put one in last week and so far so good.
Enter the code RADX at check out and save 25%
It is the plastic tank with aluminum core.
I put one in last week and so far so good.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Road Bull
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
23
10-10-2015 04:55 PM
Poncho0206
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
3
07-10-2015 06:21 PM
Avenged
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
4
07-09-2015 07:55 AM