The last time I started my truck, I saw a small plume of white smoke coming from the passenger side of the radiator. I shut the truck off and checked the coolant overflow tank-empty. I have no idea what a blown rad looks like, but here's what mine looks like right now:

You can see the right side is green

Luckily, I shut the truck off while engine temp was still well within operating parameters.

If the rad is in fact bad, is there a way to repair it without replacing it? If not, do rads from 2nd and 3rd gen 4runners fit 1st gens?

 

Yes, take it to a radiator shop and more often than not they can repair it...if it's not too far gone.

Good luck

 

you blew a core tube.. hit the scrapyards

 

also that overflow tank needs to be kept half full

 

I keep it half full, that's why it was so distressing when I found it empty.

Do rads from 2nd gens fit first gens? There are some 2nd gens being parted out around here.

 

it cant be rocket science.. i blew my stock rad like 4 years ago.. and then my buddy had one left over from a salvaged crown vic that i made brackets for and ran for about a year and then got another yota one..


its bracketry and hosework ... well and a fan shroud.. but thats easy

 

you can get a new radiator from radiator barn for about 140.00 dollars.