I want to put in a 3 core, but don't know anything about them. Is it much bigger? Will it just drop in or will I have to move stuff around (fan?). How hard is it to replace, how much stuff do I have to remove to get to it? If it sounds like a pain in the butt, I'll just drop in a normal replacement, or I might even have a shop do it. I live in an apartment, so doing it myself is questionable anyway.

 

Hey RobinHood,

Yup...my stock 3 core in my '88 had a leak and I ended up replacing it with a new heavy duty 4-core. Great upgrade. If you're doing a replacement.....absolutely do it right and go with the 4-core. JMO

Overall, I did the process myself. It wasn't too big of a deal...but then...I haven't had much chance to look under the hood of your Gen's radiator/fan setup.

For the 1st Gen's....the fan shroud comes off with 4 fasteners ( if I recall correctly ) and the radiator is held in place with 4 bolts as well.

Importantly...make sure you have a deep enough bucket for draining your coolant. It'll be cleaner if you've got a bucket, like a 5 gal, that's as close to the bottom hose connection when you pull it off of the engine or radiator spout..which ever you do first. Might be a smart idea even to tape some folde up newspaper or even cardboard for a temporary splash guard to handle that initial flow release. Really stinks when you're bathed in antifreeze. Let me tell ya...doh! First time mistakes are definitely a learning experience. ; )

Also, a good piece of advice given to me... while you're at the process....go ahead and replace the upper and lower radiator hoses that connect to the engine block. Better now while it's all drained rather than later when one bursts. Just a thought.

I'm sure it'll all go well for ya. Best of luck.

Regards,

Sean

 

Stock is a 3 core? Oh, ok. Then I meant a 4 core. Thanks.

 

Don't forget a new radiator cap.When I put the bigger radiator in my 92 the cap was bigger than stock.Hate to get home relize the cap was differant.(mayday you are correct 8 total bolts takes it out)also the bottom part of the shroud came off to get it by the fan.

 

Since you have an Auto I think you have ATF lines to the bottom of it.

I put a new one in my old junk. It was pretty straight forward. Take off the hoses, shroud, then un-do the 4 bolts that hold it to the body and its out. Installation it the opposite.

At AutoZone they offered me a 2 core or 3 core. I got the 3 core. It has .25" ID unions at the bottom that I assume are for automatics fluid cooler. The stock one did not have these. I tried to use them for on-board hot water shower but I couldn't get enough volume through it.

 

yup...totally forgot about the near fiasco with the cap. my new HD Radiator shipped without one...and of course...being a newbie to this ...assumed the stock one would work...wrong.

Thank god the project didn't run too late....since this problem wasn't realized until the very last step...yup...that's right...after the swap, rehookup and refill of antifreeze....doh!!!

IMHO, do yourself a favor....get the 16lbs cap...not the 13lb.

And yes....i totally overlooked the detail that you have an Automatic....you will also have to deal with the auto tranny lines.

Good luck!!

Sean

 

Hey Sean, where did you pick up the 4 core radiator at? I need to replace the radiator on my '86 4runner soon myself. Thanks.

Todd A.

 

Well, this sounds pretty easy, I just have to find somebody with a garage. I went out and washed the truck and sprayed the radiator pretty good from the inside, a fair amount of mud came out. Maybe I'll luck out and that'll be the cause of my slight overheating. I didn't think that was it before because it looked pretty clean from the outside. thanks guys.

 

Todd A,

I got it through a family connection who works on heavy fleet equipment.

I'll see if I can atleast drum up the manufacturer and model of my radiator for you...if not find where you can get it from also.

Regards,

Sean

 

Fixing the front end of my 94 I had the opportunity to pull the radiator and have it repaired.
I took the fan off (it was damaged and I was replacing it with a Flex a lite electric). It gave me a bit of room while working and it was a good time to CHANGE THE BELTS while you have the space.

You may have a bit of trouble of the radiator hanging up down on the driver's side you'll get it though.
Don't forget the Toyota red coolant when it's time to refill (oh, and top off the atf).