ive searched and most of the answers ive come across were the 2wd guys asking if a 4wd STOCK radiator will work in their trucks...

my question is, will a 2wd, 2 core all aluminum radiator work in my runner... im having SEVERE overheating problems right now, and i figure that if im gonna upgrade, then do it right...

the way i see it, is if the stock 3 core copper radiator can keep the 3.0 cool, then an all aluminum 2 core with a lincoln MKVIII 2 speed fan should be able to keep it as cool, if not cooler...

please let me know if im off base with this, guys...

oh, and here are the pics of what im planning on purchasing in the next week or so...

 

The 3 core is a heavier unit for additional cooling capacity associated with the additional 800-1000 lbs on a 4WD; what makes you think a 2 core for 2WD would be better?? And FYI, an electric fan will NEVER put out the CFM of a mechanical fan, unless your running a 200 amp fan....there's a reason you're having overheating issues....what is it?

 

"ive searched and most of the answers ive come across were the 2wd guys asking if a 4wd STOCK radiator will work in their trucks..."

There is a reason they want the 4wd radiator its better , going to a 2wd radiator sounds like down grading , get a good 3 core 4wd radiator , If this is why you think its overheating.

 

Here's a good one and the price is right ($209); I just ordered one and am having it delivered today:

http://sd.autohausaz.com/autohausaz/...40911@Radiator

 

well, my whole point is that i want to get an all ALUMINUM radiator... ive seen the aluminum radiators on ebay with the plastic tanks, but ive heard bad things about them...
i just figured that the aluminum with its superior cooling capabilities when compared to the stock copper one, would work just dandy...

and i dont care what the mechanical fan on my truck can pull, i dont want it on there... period... im going to the mark 8 fan no matter what radiator i get, so, please, dont lecture me on that... ive done my research, and ive weighed the cost/bennefit factor and made my choice...

 

forgot to mention that my radiator at the moment has a pinhole leak that prevents me from going very far in the daytime without pissing fluid everywhere...

i can put stopleak into it and it stops overheating and leaking for a few hours, but then the leak is worse...

 

1. The stock radiator + fan(with stock engine) should work fine in all conditions.
2. If the stock unit for the 3.0 is 3-row, don't get a 2-row.
3. Stop leak bad.

 

Stop leak is the single worst thing you can do to a cooling system. Your thermostat & radiator are now PLUGGED from the stop leak. That's why I'm replacing mine with an all-metal (looks just like stock) radiator.

For the record, I don't think aluminum is superior to copper/brass for cooling, but it is LIGHTER \; it's a weight saver in most performance applications....

 

thats just being stupid... and apparently you didnt do very good research on the subject.

 

Troy, you own a 4Runner. Are you talking 2wd 4Runner radiator, or a 2wd Truck radiator?

If you are talking truck, don't bother swapping them. The 2wd truck radiators are smaller.

 

nope, DC, im talking about a 2wd 4Runner radiator... its actually just about the same dimensions with 1/4 inch thicker here and 1/4 inch shorter there...


as for the mechanical vs. electric fan debate, its about personal preference, guys...
its no difference than these debates:
5W30 vs. 10W30
Keeping swaybars vs. removing swaybars
aluminum radiator vs. copper/brass radiator
NGK plugs vs. stock vs. aftermarket
Stock plug wires vs. aftermarket
stock ignition system vs. aftermarket
Yukon gears vs. stock gears vs. other brands
5.29 gears vs. 5.71 gears


see, its ALL about personal preference...
my choice is aluminum radiator and an electric fan...
and im chosing these things for several reasons, ive seen first hand that aluminum radiators work GREAT, and i want to remove the mechanical fan because i want less draw on the motor...
i dont wanna sound like a jerk here, guys, because you've helped me with so much on my truck, but please get off my back about my choices... please... i need tech help, not to be told that im an idiot...

EDIT: and yes, i know that stopleak and barsleak are BAD ideas, but come on guys, i have to do what i have to do... if i didnt, i would have overheated my truck and popped a head gasket which is a LOT more money than a cooling system flush and a new radiator...

 

Hey i wasn't jumpin no ones back! Maybe Heathers, but thats neither here nor there. Giggity.

The 2wd and 4wd 4Runners are virtually identical, they have the same cooling system components, and almost eh same weight to lug around so it would be a good upgrade. I find the plastic/aluminum radiators to be more reliable and better built anyways.

 

plus the aluminum just looks bad arse. Like my 3.4 swap you wish you had.

 

food for thought...
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=61247&page=7

anyways, my question still stands, do you think it would work? i mean the 2wd 3v is only about 300 lbs lighter than the 4wd version... i actually think that the extra core was needed to keep it cool during low speed wheeling because the mechanical fan wouldnt be spinning fast enough to move the air... but that will be fixed by the electric fan...

 

yes, yes i do...

next year, before my sisters wedding or after, come hell or high water, imma bring a 3.4 up there and we are gonna do it in tofers shop...