In an almost 30 year old 4runner I always expect something to break eventually, but I am tired of the plastic frame / aluminum finned radiators leaking from the plastic after about 7 years in my SUV. What are you all using as replacement radiators now that brass and copper have gone up drastically?
This is the third plastic frame / aluminum finned radiator that has cracked at the plastic joint, those just do not hold up in my 4runner. If any of you use aluminum radiators with longevity, I'd love to hear about them. Had a CSF Brass version in this rig like 20 years ago, I should have kept that one forever.

Thanks all.

 

I have a CSF 3-row, all metal. Rockauto carries them. Its only been in there about 3 years but not a single problem with it yet

 

Have a all metal CSF in my 86 truck now for 10 years. No issues or leaks and still looks like new. Keeps my truck temps normal in SE VA summer heat with AC running. Great buy for $158.

 

Champion Cooling 4Runner Radiator

Havent had a single problem with my Champion Radiator. Its a good price for an all aluminum unit. Their more expesnive than Plastic/Aluminum rads, but will last much longer. Make sure you do a fluid flush after you install them.

 

My Champion radiator lasted about 6 months before it started leaking where a tube goes into the top tank. I was bummed because it cooled better than the CSF 3 row. Reading up on them, many have had similar problems, but other people run them with no problem, so I'd guess their quality control lets a few lemons through the cracks. I went back to the CSF. I had a radiator shop add some bungs for gauges in it. The shop said CSF's are junk too, but you just don't hear about them springing random leaks on people.

 

I will be looking at all metal my next round, on my 3rd plastic garbage crap, when they failed it was just at the right moment when the cost didn’t work knowing I was putting in garbage I just said screw it, when this POS fails I’m going with something good.

 

The good thing about aluminum rad is you can usually repair them yourself or have a shop fix it.

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f199...l#post52474363

 

The CSF 2055 is $260 at Rockauto for my 4runner since it's the 4WD with the 22RE. I decided on trying an all aluminum one, I thought the same thing that if it does start leaking on a seam, I could fix it or take it to a shop to have it welded again. This plastic one is a warranty "free" one, but it lasted 6 years and is now cracked on the bottom joint to the aluminum fins. Leaking like a broken dam. Total garbage to have plastic in a high heat area, eventually fails no matter what. Red Asian coolant isn't cheap.
I appreciate the experiences, hope to get a few years out of this aluminum one. At least the radiator is an easy install vs. some of the other projects like replacing the heater core which took me 16 hours total ripping the entire dashboard out.

 

Just booted my plastic leaker to the curb and installed CSF2306 in my ‘86 4runner today. Bought it from RockAuto for $299 + CSF 4502 radiator cap for $2.79. The packaging was excellent. The quality of the radiator looks excellent and the alignment and fit of the fan shroud could not have been any better. Highly recommend. Only complaint, radiator cap should be included.

 

Bought an aluminum 3 row radiator and all new silicone hoses from LC Engineering, second kit I have bought from them with the three main hoses and T Clamps, which are so nice compared to worm drive clamps. Head gasket blown did melt the insides of two of the hoses, but they held together.
One problem now, started leaking out the bypass or one of those crazy hidden under the manifold hoses. I did increase the pressure from 13 lbs to 19 lbs with the new radiator, of course it found the worn out hoses first heat up/cool down cycle. Just ordered the bypass and the two other throttle body hoses with a large box of spring clamps since I know worm drive clamps stink for those small diameter hoses and under the manifold will be very hard to manipulate the clamps.

New question, anyone replaced those under the intake manifold hoses? I know the intake doesn't have to come off, but did you remove the throttle body to get at the hoses? Any guidance would be appreciated, I found the bypass and the end of one of the throttle body hoses, but I can't see much else under there from the fender cut out.

 

I did mine by removing throttle body

 

I just replaced my Pep Boy's special crap plastic radiator with a CSF-2314 and couldn't be happier. I also did the hoses which were more than ready to replace. I got my CSF at Summit for $287 and they got it to me in VA in 3 days with regular free shipping.

It fit perfectly in my 1990 22R 2WD Base.

 

I don't know that it's a CSF radiator, but I got a 3 core, all aluminum radiator for my pickup back in 90 or so. It fit's perfectly as well. It's still going strong. Just so you know. I think it's well worth the investment. I'm usually an OEM guy, but in this case I'll make an exception.

Pat☺

 

according to a few online parts vendors you can still get an oem rad..why isnt that an option? an oem radiator is far superior to anything aftermarket. looking at a few parts suppliers online they range from 250-400 bucks. id def order through a local dealer just for peace of mind for fitment.

 

Nothing wrong with going after-market, IF, and this is the key, it works better and lasts longer, than OEM.Which, so far, the all aluminum 3-core I put in my pickup is.
Granted, I put that in my pickup when I lived in Yuma, Az. The third core was a huge help in 110 to 120 degree temps that are so common down there. When I moved up here to Oregon, I probably could have switched back to OEM, which I have in my 4Runner which I bought up here. But heck, why buy another radiator, just to switch back to OEM? The 3 core has been working extremely well since 1990 or so, why change it out for an OEM I don't need? Granted, it's getting old enough now that I should consider swapping it out, and when I do, I'll probably strongly consider going back to OEM, but as well as this one has lasted, and functioned, I will probably think strongly about another all aluminum radiator for my little pickup.

BTW: the all aluminum radiators both fit as well as the OEM did. At least the ones I installed. From what I understand, the CSF radiators fit as well s OEM, too, but I have no personal experience with them.

Once again, this is just my opinion, formed from my experience with the radiator I have. AND, I put one into the 87 4Runner I owned when I lived in Yuma, and a few years ago it blew it's top, literally. I replaced it with an OEM, which it still had in it when I sold it to buy the 99 Runner a very few years ago.
Always remember to burp your cooling system properly any time you do any kind of work on it. It really matters a lot.
Your experiences may be entirely different.
Pat☺

 

If your tanks are still good take it to a RAD shop and have it rescored I did that and my guy very small shop said you cannot get a GOOD rad that will hold up today compared to OEM