Anyone know about getting an aluminum radiator for '90 4runner?

I was told form a guy at Lordco, that if I gave him the dimensions of my stock radiator, I could get a GM rad, make custom brackets (which is no problem) and then I would have to adapt the hose. The reason he suggested this is because its apparently much cheaper then getting an aluminum rad thats made specifically for a Toyota.

Does anyone know about this?

With a GM rad, would I need to weld a sleeve where the hose goes onto, or just get an adapter machined that would go in between somewhwere

Thanks

 

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/radiator/

Sounds like a small block Ford radiator is a smarter choice, than a Chev, but an actual toyota-fitment aluminum radiator is even better.

But why aluminum? It's great for race cars, but not the best at heat dissapation and is easily cracked, easily fatigues (and cracks) and the thermal expansion is uneven (causing cracks.) If you need more cooling, an extra row on a conventional type radiator made of copper or alloy would be better.

 

okay, makes sense. Is there a name for those types of rads so I know what to ask for?

 

Which types? Thicker ones (more rows?) Back in the day, we used to have the local radiator shop re-core the radiator, if we had a 3-row we'd ask for a 4-row core put in, that sort of thing. So you'd look in the cap, see how many rows it is (I suspect it is 2) and ask the rad shop to recore it with another row.

 

dunno bout those years, but 84-894runners can use a turbo radiator to go from stock 2 core to the turbo's 3 core... might wanna see if the radiators have changed with the body style change... if so you may still be able to use the turbo radiator.

 

Might want to try contacting some of the racing radiator mfgs such as griffing, c&r, pwr, etc. most of these companies work with custom parts.

http://griffinrad.com/custom.php

 

Why not just get a performance Radiator? they are relatively inexpensive (~$200) and they are readily available in the lower mainland, on top of having a pretty descent reputation. I got one in my truck as does a buddy who has the exact same truck as me. Toyota dealerships sometimes even sell them from my understanding.

 

if you have a 22r motor a v6 rad will bolt right in and its a 3 core unit

 

Your talking about a rad from www.performanceradiator.com correct? I was told they are great as well.

I am still deciding between that route and a good deal I found on the net.

 

Well if you go the performance rad route you can get it local, from local people, and you know it will be the right part and it will be new.