Hello all,

Long time reader (I had two older 4 runners, both are gone now). It's been awhile, but I'm back in a Toyota. I have a 1992 DLX pickup, 3.0L VZE 4WD, AT.

I've searched and searched, read a million posts, but the closure of radiatorbarn necessitates a new post.

The shop said I need a radiator and suggested I could find one cheaper than the $300 they would charge me.
I don't have a bunch of experience, but I do have access to a full shop, tools, lift, fluid disposal, etc. I want to do this myself, but I'm having trouble finding a replacement radiator since radiatorbarn went out of business.
I'd like to get a local one in case there are issues (Napa, autozone, advanced auto, or Pepboys). However, all they seem to carry is the single row, plastic tank version. I'd like to go cheap, but I'm not going to skimp on a few bucks if it is going to cost me big time down the road.

Does anyone have part numbers for a replacement radiator and/or a good vendor?

 

Yes, for the 3.0 you need the all metal radiator sold by CFS, model #2506. Read here for my findings on surface area and performance:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...r-3vze-272551/

 

several of us are running those cheap plastic/aluminum radiators, with xlnt results.

i had a massive 3-row cfs radiator, that didn't appear to cool nearly as well as the cheapo radiator does... there were extraneous circumstances that could have clouded the results, but if this cheapo holds up, i'll never get another all-metal radiator.

davez offroad in nor cal has a big all-metal radiator that he sells, if you must go that route... you'll pay well over $200, no matter who you get it from.

 

The champion cooling CC50 all aluminum sell for ~$200 on ebay: http://www.championcooling.com/produ...inum-radiator/

With all aluminum, I think the pink slush issue would be mitigated considerably... Seems to be an issue of the plastic tank dividers failing and mixing coolant and tranny fluid. An extra $100 is cheap security, while also allowing you to ensure your tranny fluid is at proper operating temp.