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3 core auminum vs 4 core copper radiators?

Old 01-31-2011, 10:28 AM
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3 core auminum vs 4 core copper radiators?

Ok don't laugh to damn hard, I'm a ding bat when it comes to cooling systems.

Replaced the original radiator on the 89 4runner (22re) with a replacement from my favorite parts house, everything bolted right in, fit like a glove, etc. but....

The OEM was a 4 core and the cores were a little offset from one another, it's also pretty thick. The new one is a 3 core (the cores are larger individually than the OEM ones were) straight behind one another and the entire center section is aluminum. It is also thinner and sits back from the supports far enough to mount a slim line pusher in there.

I'm guessing the 3 core aluminum will cool as well as the 4 core copper?? My temp gauge only works when it wants too, usually after I've tried to find out why it doesn't work it starts up again for a month or so, so I don't really have a great way to keep an eye on things. Never had any issues before even though the OEM rad was leaking.

Thank you for any help.

/flame on.
Old 01-31-2011, 12:00 PM
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yes all is good
Old 01-31-2011, 12:15 PM
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You should be fine, but i'd work on gettin that temp gauge fixed, thats important.
Old 01-31-2011, 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Swimmerboy2112
You should be fine, but i'd work on gettin that temp gauge fixed, thats important.
I've tried, sometimes I can tap the cluster and it works, other times not..... stupid gauge....
Old 01-31-2011, 01:01 PM
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How about an aftermarket one at least until you fix yours permanently? Last thing you want is burnt valves or a warped head.
Old 01-31-2011, 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Swimmerboy2112
How about an aftermarket one at least until you fix yours permanently? Last thing you want is burnt valves or a warped head.
That's an option but I hate after market gauges in a Toyota correct dash..... just looks like crap.
Old 01-31-2011, 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Junkers88
That's an option but I hate after market gauges in a Toyota correct dash..... just looks like crap.
I agree lol
Old 01-31-2011, 05:10 PM
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This was my solution to putting an aftermarket gauge in my old 4Runner. Its all made by VDO and doesnt look all that bad. The other nice thing is that it is very accurate, you can see the thermostat working as you drive down the road.

It wont let me post the same photo twice but there are 2 pics in this thread https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f16/...roblems-38855/
Old 01-31-2011, 05:11 PM
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OEM was a 4 core?

What is this thing you drive?
Old 02-01-2011, 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by tried4x2signN
OEM was a 4 core?

What is this thing you drive?
1989 4runner, 22re, 5 speed, 4x4 SR5. Is the OEM not a 4 core? The one I pulled out had 4 of them in there (I looked).
Old 02-01-2011, 09:06 AM
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Of the countless Toyota 4WD's I've owned, I've NEVER seen a 4 core.


And not only that, but there is a reason for extra cooling. Like having 2 more cylinders, or forced induction, or an AT that the cooler is integrated in...

I've never known a 22RE 5 speed to have a 3 core let alone a 4.


The main reason I'm asking is to get a part #. If there is such a beast out there the next time I need one I'll get it.

That's just B.A that it's got the rad hose locations for a 22RE.

Last edited by tried4x2signN; 02-01-2011 at 09:09 AM.
Old 02-01-2011, 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by tried4x2signN
Of the countless Toyota 4WD's I've owned, I've NEVER seen a 4 core.


And not only that, but there is a reason for extra cooling. Like having 2 more cylinders, or forced induction, or an AT that the cooler is integrated in...

I've never known a 22RE 5 speed to have a 3 core let alone a 4.


The main reason I'm asking is to get a part #. If there is such a beast out there the next time I need one I'll get it.

That's just B.A that it's got the rad hose locations for a 22RE.
This one does have the little stub outs for an AT hook up but no extra partition for it that I can see. If it wasn't -6 outside I'd go look at the old one still sitting in my garage but I don't remember seeing any numbers on it.

This is the one I bought.
http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Det...+50070+2070015

When it warms up I'll go take a picture of the old one (through the filler so you can see the cores) and the same type of picture of the new one.
Old 02-01-2011, 01:31 PM
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Put in a A-pillar guage and put a temp guage in...geeez. Come up here and I'll show you how....
Old 02-01-2011, 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by BigBluePile
Put in a A-pillar guage and put a temp guage in...geeez. Come up here and I'll show you how....
Don't tempt me Logan......
Old 02-01-2011, 01:46 PM
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Tempt


tempt


tempt



tempt


tempt




TEMPT!
Old 02-01-2011, 01:49 PM
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Toyota OEM radiators installed in 1979-1983 trucks were single or 2 core. I lived in Florida and had a custom 4 core copper radiator built to handle the engine temperature in traffic. I run the same radiator 25 + years later but installed a 2 speed Ford Fan. I looked at custom aluminum radiators and most radiator shops say the alumminum ones would never last as long. I do not know, to me if you do your maintenance they should be fine.
Old 02-02-2011, 05:39 PM
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No toyota truck or 4Runner ever came with a 4 core radiator. When i replaced the radiator on my 86 4Runner it had a stock 2 core radiator, i upgraded to a 3 core radiator for the added cooling.
Old 02-12-2011, 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Junkers88

This is the one I bought.
http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Det...+50070+2070015

When it warms up I'll go take a picture of the old one (through the filler so you can see the cores) and the same type of picture of the new one.
Does the stock shroud work on that bad boy?

I called today, $111.69 and in stock...


That beats my driving, searching and pulling a pull-a-part rad for @ 40 bucks...

I'd rather pay that and be done with it...


EDIT, nevermind... Looks it... Now if I could just warm up to crimped-on plastic capped radiators...


Last edited by tried4x2signN; 02-12-2011 at 09:05 AM.
Old 02-12-2011, 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by tried4x2signN
Does the stock shroud work on that bad boy?

I called today, $111.69 and in stock...


That beats my driving, searching and pulling a pull-a-part rad for @ 40 bucks...

I'd rather pay that and be done with it...


EDIT, nevermind... Looks it... Now if I could just warm up to crimped-on plastic capped radiators...

Don`t waste your time or money on that radiator, its just a matter of time before the tanks start to leak. They are nothing but junk.
Old 02-13-2011, 12:30 AM
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Red face

A while back I was at the Radiator shop seeing if it was worth while to have one cleaned out of a 86 Turbo truck or to have a new core put in.( to much labor involved)

We got to talking about these Aluminum/plastic radiators now plastics seem to get better all the time. No doubt for vehicles that are never far from home or the big cities these will work just fine.

My only real issue with these radiators is once you have a failure in the tank or core miles from home. Ok if it is warm enough and you have enough time to wait till epoxy cures you just might limp it home.

With the proper tools it is pretty easy to change out the plastic tanks and put new gaskets in.

I don`t seem to have good luck with plastic when it gets cold

Maybe I am old Fashioned in me looking at being able to fix most any radiator failure with just a torch some flux and solder of course something to clean with.

I have fixed cracked tanks and holes in the core in the woods

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