4Runner Radiator

rrams53 · 06-29-2010, 09:34 AM

I have a 96 4Runner with the 3.4 V6. I am in the market for a new radiator. I want a radiator that will perform a little better than the stock one. Any suggestions? I want to keep it around $150 or so. Thanks!

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Ron Helmuth · 06-29-2010, 10:08 AM

KOYO makes a fine radiator. We found one on ebay for $107 via GO PARTS.com

We did my friends 01 Limited auto tranny radiator in about 40 minutes two days ago.

Removing the grille was the single hardest thing-it requires at least 2 people to remove and 3 is better. Pops right back in when done.

This is the single easiest thing you can do to prevent the dreaded "strawberry milkshake" if you are an auto tranny guy.

yodatoyota · 06-29-2010, 10:54 AM

Yeah definatly. You dont want the milk shake it will make you cry. I speak of experiance. It sucks.

pattycakes77 · 06-29-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Helmuth

Removing the grille was the single hardest thing-it requires at least 2 people to remove and 3 is better. Pops right back in when done.

Hmm, it's not THAT hard, had mine off about 20 times and takes all of about 5 minutes tops with the help of a long flat blade screwdriver.

TimZ · 06-29-2010, 11:57 AM

I installed a KOYO as well. It appeared to be of good quality and very similar to the OEM I removed.

Compressed · 06-29-2010, 12:29 PM

I just purchased a Koyo that should be delivered today.

Trying to prevent the milkshake......

TheDurk · 06-29-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pattycakes77

Hmm, it's not THAT hard, had mine off about 20 times and takes all of about 5 minutes tops with the help of a long flat blade screwdriver.

Ii IS hard the first time--for both you and the truck. It is very tight the first time you take it off, those clips just don't want to let go. Plus you have to learn the technique to get the thing off. Otherwise it keeps reclipping itself. It was only when I had had my truck about seven years I decided to upgrade the horns and both I and the truck had to learn how this is done. NOW it's easy...especially if you break a clip or two.

pendrag · 06-29-2010, 02:31 PM

Or...

...I'm just sayin'...
(I hate those clips Why couldn't they just use bolts?!)

peacedog · 07-01-2010, 09:47 AM

I have a 2002 4runner 4WD with an auto transimission. What is the best and simplest way to prevent the dreaded milkshake? Is it best with seperate transmission or with a new Koyo radiator? Thanks.

kennyb3030 · 07-01-2010, 10:44 AM

good question...im in the same boat

PismoJoe · 07-01-2010, 10:48 AM

Search external trans cooler

Ron Helmuth · 07-01-2010, 12:13 PM

I'm biased since we just did this on Sunday.

A radiator replacement is easy to do and will require no special parts other than a new radiator, Toyota red coolant and some hose clamps, also some ATF fluid to refill what you lose while disconnecting and reconnecting the tranny hoses.

see post #2

KOYO A1998 is the model number I believe. Double and triple check your application with the seller you choose.

google 'KOYO radiators best price'

I am a complete idiot mechanically and we got this done in 40-45 minutes. Parts Blaster works great to loosen up stuck on hoses. Wipe and clean up those hoses before reattaching to the new radiator.

This is my opinion. Note: I am a manual tranny guy so strawberry milkshake will never affect me, I have no tranny lines run into the radiator.

Compressed · 07-01-2010, 12:18 PM

I'm just replacing my radiator as well. If I still have my 4runner in another 100-130,000 miles which is highly unlikely then I will replace it again at that point.

Easy and functional.

rjaudi · 07-01-2010, 01:14 PM

I can remove my radiator without removing the grill. Just use some extensions with a universal coupler and you can get to the 4 bolts through slots in the bumper and grill. You are looking at a 1 hour job at most. Use distilled water to mix with the Toyota coolant.

gdutch · 07-02-2010, 04:44 AM

I installed a tranny cooler, and it was probably the most ambitious vehicle mod I've done completely myself. Only took a couple hours, and I'm very pleased with the result. Peace of mind is a big bonus too; since the two systems are completely segregated, you know there's no way you could have a milkshake happen to you.

Rock Slide · 07-02-2010, 12:03 PM

I need to get on this soon for my '02 4wd auto. Still have not decided if I'm going to go w/ an external cooler or just install a new radiator...but as months tick off, the vehicle is not getting any newer. May go the new radiator route for mine.

My wife drives a '00 2wd auto 4Runner. Being that it's a 10.5 yr old vehicle, I'm def going to install a new radiator in hers.

y2kltdsport · 07-02-2010, 12:47 PM

I'm ordering a new rad, I installed the aux trans cooler last year luckily, recently one of my trans cooling lines started leaking, then snapped off, would have been a milkshake for sure, I jb welded it for the time being until my new rad arrives.....whew close call

Ironmike4x4 · 07-02-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Helmuth

Removing the grille was the single hardest thing-it requires at least 2 people to remove and 3 is better. Pops right back in when done.

Why did you have to remove the grille? I didn't on mine, maybe there's a difference in the manual vs. automatic or later year models?

frodin1 · 07-02-2010, 02:59 PM

3 people to pull the grill? What T....F....? The grill should take you about 1 minute including removing the clips and reinstalling into the grill? Snap it back on and your good to go! I agree with Ironmike, why did you even remove it in the first place?

pendrag · 07-02-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Helmuth

Parts Blaster works great to loosen up stuck on hoses. Wipe and clean up those hoses before reattaching to the new radiator.

If I was putting in a new radiator, I'd take the opportunity to replace all the hoses while I was at it. I'd just cut off anything stuck on.

06-29-2010, 10:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ron Helmuth Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2007 Location: Denver metro area-CO Posts: 2,155	KOYO makes a fine radiator. We found one on ebay for $107 via GO PARTS.com We did my friends 01 Limited auto tranny radiator in about 40 minutes two days ago. Removing the grille was the single hardest thing-it requires at least 2 people to remove and 3 is better. Pops right back in when done. This is the single easiest thing you can do to prevent the dreaded "strawberry milkshake" if you are an auto tranny guy. __________________ 99 4Runner SR5 4wd 3.4/5 spd- Factory Locker O/M/Emu springs- 881 fronts/890 rears O/M/E shocks- N91s fr/N86 rr All Pro Off Road welded on sliders ARB"Taco"bumper/Hella 500s & side markers Redline Tuning hood struts/Bushwackers 2" 4crawler.com body lift all my Yota photos are over on Facebook now http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...5&l=5795132731

06-29-2010, 10:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
yodatoyota Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: ontario,Canada Posts: 14	Yeah definatly. You dont want the milk shake it will make you cry. I speak of experiance. It sucks. __________________ 99' 4runner SR5 Stock Soon to change

06-29-2010, 12:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
Compressed Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 82	I just purchased a Koyo that should be delivered today. Trying to prevent the milkshake...... __________________ 97 4runner SR5 white 87 4runner SR5 white

06-29-2010, 02:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
pendrag Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 336	Or... ...I'm just sayin'... (I hate those clips Why couldn't they just use bolts?!) __________________ 1999 Gen. 3 4Runner: 3RZ-FE 2.7 L: 180k miles (automatic; base 2WD) 1999 Gen. 3 4Runner: 5VZ-FE 3.4 L: 180k miles (automatic; SR5 4WD) "Why buy one when you can buy two for twice the price?"

07-01-2010, 09:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
peacedog Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 42	Radiator I have a 2002 4runner 4WD with an auto transimission. What is the best and simplest way to prevent the dreaded milkshake? Is it best with seperate transmission or with a new Koyo radiator? Thanks.

06-29-2010, 11:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
TimZ Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 39	I installed a KOYO as well. It appeared to be of good quality and very similar to the OEM I removed.

07-01-2010, 10:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
kennyb3030 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 24	good question...im in the same boat

07-01-2010, 12:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
Ron Helmuth Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2007 Location: Denver metro area-CO Posts: 2,155	I'm biased since we just did this on Sunday. A radiator replacement is easy to do and will require no special parts other than a new radiator, Toyota red coolant and some hose clamps, also some ATF fluid to refill what you lose while disconnecting and reconnecting the tranny hoses. see post #2 KOYO A1998 is the model number I believe. Double and triple check your application with the seller you choose. google 'KOYO radiators best price' I am a complete idiot mechanically and we got this done in 40-45 minutes. Parts Blaster works great to loosen up stuck on hoses. Wipe and clean up those hoses before reattaching to the new radiator. This is my opinion. Note: I am a manual tranny guy so strawberry milkshake will never affect me, I have no tranny lines run into the radiator.

07-01-2010, 12:18 PM	#13 (permalink)
Compressed Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 82	I'm just replacing my radiator as well. If I still have my 4runner in another 100-130,000 miles which is highly unlikely then I will replace it again at that point. Easy and functional. __________________ 97 4runner SR5 white 87 4runner SR5 white

07-01-2010, 01:14 PM	#14 (permalink)
rjaudi Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 57	I can remove my radiator without removing the grill. Just use some extensions with a universal coupler and you can get to the 4 bolts through slots in the bumper and grill. You are looking at a 1 hour job at most. Use distilled water to mix with the Toyota coolant. __________________ 1997 4runner Limited 4x4- Family owned since 12/96

07-02-2010, 04:44 AM	#15 (permalink)
gdutch Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 223	I installed a tranny cooler, and it was probably the most ambitious vehicle mod I've done completely myself. Only took a couple hours, and I'm very pleased with the result. Peace of mind is a big bonus too; since the two systems are completely segregated, you know there's no way you could have a milkshake happen to you. __________________ 1999 4Runner SR5 4x2 3.4L, Deckplate Mod, TruCool 4454 Tranny Cooler, Optima Red Top

07-02-2010, 12:03 PM	#16 (permalink)
Rock Slide Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2006 Location: B'ham, AL Posts: 2,241	I need to get on this soon for my '02 4wd auto. Still have not decided if I'm going to go w/ an external cooler or just install a new radiator...but as months tick off, the vehicle is not getting any newer. May go the new radiator route for mine. My wife drives a '00 2wd auto 4Runner. Being that it's a 10.5 yr old vehicle, I'm def going to install a new radiator in hers. __________________ 2002 4Runner Sport 4WD My 4Runner Profile Accessories: SS 7.1 Lift Kit, WabFab 1" BL, Modified & Color-matched TJM T-15, Stubb Sliders, FX/TSX HID Projector Retrofit, Tundra Brakes, Hilux Surf Field Monitor, TRD Ivan Stewart Wheels, Yoko Geolanders 265/75s, WeatherTechs, Pioneer HU, LED Tail Lights, JBL Speakers Mods: Disabled DRLs, Disabled Keyless Entry Chirp, AndyMod 2.0, Fog Light Mod, Air Elbow Mod, Rear Diff Breather Mod Last edited by Rock Slide; 07-02-2010 at 02:21 PM.

07-02-2010, 12:47 PM	#17 (permalink)
y2kltdsport Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oak Grove, MN Posts: 182	I'm ordering a new rad, I installed the aux trans cooler last year luckily, recently one of my trans cooling lines started leaking, then snapped off, would have been a milkshake for sure, I jb welded it for the time being until my new rad arrives.....whew close call __________________ Silver Y2K LTD Runner,265/75 16 Goodyear Duratracs,OME springs/shocks,cornfed spacers front, rear E- Locker,Factory Scooped,Airbox mod,fog light mod, drl mod,Tundra 231mm big brake mod, Brembos,Goodridge S/S lines,Tint, custom TRD decals, 02 tails, Pioneer Avic D3 with reverse cam, MB Quart spkrs, infinity basslink, trucool trans cooler, seat bolt mod, Weathertech floor mats, Magnaflow muffler, over 325,000 miles and still awesome

07-02-2010, 02:59 PM	#19 (permalink)
frodin1 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NOW, Havasu! Posts: 1,072	3 people to pull the grill? What T....F....? The grill should take you about 1 minute including removing the clips and reinstalling into the grill? Snap it back on and your good to go! I agree with Ironmike, why did you even remove it in the first place? __________________ Pioneer HU, Audiobahn 10.100watt Sub, Sirius, JBL comp speakers in all four doors, Cobra NWWXST CB W, Quadwrap, Wolo Air horn, K&N FIPK,Tokico Trekmasters,Tundra TRDs, Revtec spacers w/extended studs,Energy bushings on steering rack /front swaybar,SS front diff. drop kit w/skid plate mod,OME 890 Rears with OEM LC Tokicos,Ebrake ext. bracket, BFG AT/KO's, ProComp 1078 Alloys, Magnaflow SS muffler, Hayden 1678 Tranny Cooler, 85watt Amber fogs, 7 Way R/V jack for the boat.

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