Here's a good link for flushing and servicing the trans.
http://home.centurytel.net/stevenjac...sh/tranny.html

Since your radiator is already 12 years old and the built in cooler is leaking I would just replace it. You can get them online for around $150

 

Dude thats a really good link!

 

Yep, thanks to skjos (member here) for that great writeup!

 

Does anyone know if there is another toyota model radiator that will fit,and work for my 98 4Runner Limited Auto Trans. Preferably a radiator that doesnt have a built in trans cooler.

 

If you can find one for a manual tranny 4runner that should work also. I've never heard of anyone switching it though. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone finding one to buy....? Just get the auto model and plug off the cooler fittings.

 

Does anyone know where to get a good reliable affordable radiator if there above post is not feasible?

 

ok so you can plug it off and just use a external cooler?

 

Yep, keep reading all those posts out there. That's what we all do, even if we didn't get milkshaked. I made two little plugs out of 3 inches of hose and a bolt in the end.

 

UPDATE:JULY15,2010. Went to my local NAPA and picked up a Radiator $116 with my company discount, also a lifetime warranty. Does anyone know where I can buy the 3 solenoids for my transmission.

 

Would it be a good idea to flush the cooling system also.

 

Would you recommend installing the external trans cooler before you attempt to flush the transmission. Or just use the one built into the radiator until you get it all flush out.

 

Not sure how expensive they are but I think the best place to get the solenoids would be the dealer. Maybe someone out there has found some cheaper that worked well? Yes, you are definitely going to want to flush the engine coolant system out as well. It doesn't transfer heat nearly as well with oil mixed in with it. I would wait on installing the new trans cooler until you are done flushing the trans. No sense gunking up the new cooler with milkshake. You will use one of the original cooler lines to flush into a bucket while pouring in new fluid through the dipstick tube.

 

Radiator installed, and Transmission flushed today 22 quarts so far. Looked like a strawberry milkshake when it first started flowing out, its more red now. Any idea of how many quarts I should run through total?

 

I would flush it till it looks all good, no milky look at all. Then drive it for a bit to get it good and hot and then flush it again or do a couple drain and fills with a short drive in between. Then drain and fill a few times over the next few weeks. Hopefully you're using cheap fluid for all this. Once you're down to your last few drain and fills or one final flush put in synthetic fluid.

 

Finally 35 quarts later and the transmission fluid is blood red! I know this is probably a mistake, but I put the new radiator in before I flushed the cooling system yea I know Dumbass!, Now as Im trying to flush the system it seems as if theres nothing flowing through the radiator, vehicle probably running (not driven) 30-40 minutes and still no flow. I have a dakota and it flows through the radiator cap very fast, that is after its been driven. Anybody please enlighten me on this issue, or just comment.

 

So what was the final result?