I've been eyeing this radiator for a while http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...S%252BI%252BSS and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with anything like this. Seems like a good way to get arround the corrosiveness of a traditional radiator. I think I might actually be getting an engine for my truck here soon and I need a radiator as well. Then I just need to cross my fingers and see if my auto trans will hold up until I can get a 5 speed swapped in.

 

I dont have any experience with these type of radiators but i think you should go for it as long as you know you wont be getting ripped off by the seller. Seems like a good deal.

 

They have a good feedback and they've been selling these radiators for some time now on ebay. The price really isn't that bad at $150 or so.

 

Looks like a great deal, aluminum radiators are better than copper/brass IMHO. I've seen all aluminum radiators go for $400-$500, so the price seems almost too good to be true. The 2 pages of feed back I looked at had 6 of those radiators sold with positive feedback. Let us know if you get one

 

I definitely will. I'm trying to secure my engine first so it may be a little while. I've got the cash for a used engine and a good source (Rob17San/TrueAutomotive) but I am on a little bit of a waiting list. I didn't realize how hard it was to find a good used 22re until I tried to find one here locally. They just don't last long in the yards.

 

I have the same one.Its pretty good,seems well made.Cooling fins are a little rough but for the price cant complain.

 

Right on! That was what I wanted to hear.

 

Not trying to bust your bubble, but if you are looking for a more corrosive resistant radiator it is not an aluminum one. Brass and copper are denser metals and therefore less corrosive.

If you do go with that radiator or any other aluminum one make sure you de-ionized or distilled water. If you have a bad ground or short in your truck it will eat the aluminum very quickly.

 

2 things to watch out for using an aluminum radiator. One, is you need to make sure its isolated from chassis ground. Needs to have rubber bushings inbetween it and the mount. Second you need to make sure it DOESNT flex. If it does, it will leak. Most alumunum radiators have a X brace on the back of them. That one doesnt.

 

I've always been under the impression that copper conducted heat better than aluminum...

The Readyrad's from Autozone are copper including the tanks. And are a great value.

 

All of the newer trucks and cars use aluminum radiators, including the Tacomas and 4runners. I've never seen one with a X brace, ever.

 

As I understand it the main advantage of the Aluminum rads is the large core tubes allow for better flow and better heat transfer to the fins. Most have one large core tube (1+ inch long) that makes full contact with the cooling fins. The copper/brass rads use 2 or 3 small core tubes (1/4"-5-16") with spaces in between where there is just dead air.

 

You should use distilled water with either one, and not just for the radiator's sake, lots of aluminum is used in the whole cooling system, including the head.

 

That's probably a good idea for any all metal radiator, including copper/brass.

 

I have a freind who bought one of those radiators, and it is insufficiant for his 4runner. the local shop tells him it is too small for the 4x4 or the v6. As far as I am concerned I have a thermostat to optimize how well a radiator works to heat up and I want as much cooling capacity as I can get. to hell with being good enough. I have a radiator from macs radiator that I worked up with them and it is a cross flow from a blank they can get and add your needs to it. I think the blank # is 9600 or something like that. it has been the best in cooling efficiency I have ever found for toy's. I have 350 bones in it and I have to say it was worth it. I had them mount tabs for mounting and for the stock shroud. It's also a two row aluminum and not just one row. Capacity is increased therefore giving it even more cooling capacity. I would do it again with the next toyota.

 

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...%26+Drivetrain

 

Mine has an aftermarket aluminum radiator with plastic tanks on it. It looks like a cheap replacement from radiator barn or someplace similar, but it seems to work ok.

 

Aluminum will never replace the copper brass ones to me . I had ordered a radiator it came in with plastic tanks and aluminum core . I sent it back i don`t want to take the chance if doing a repair in the woods .

Besides aluminum sucks up so much dirt it is a pain to weld.

 

The OEM rad has plastic tanks. When they started leaking I replaced them with the all metal one from Autozone.

Btw, this thread is from last year.