I have a 1990 Toyota SR5 4x4 pickup with a V6 and 5-speed that needs a radiator replacement. I have been reading the threads here and the consensus seems to be that the plastic and aluminum radiators are problematic and the brass and copper radiators are not much better. In addition, it sounds like it may be a crapshoot that the tank is too high for the hood to close. Then there is the issue of needing need zip ties to reattach my fan shroud.

I see Toyota sells an OEM replacement radiator for my truck for $573.22. I am wondering if I am better off paying the big bucks for an OEM part to avoid all the issues with poorly made aftermarket radiators. Has anyone here gone the OEM route?

 

Most auto part stores sell AM radiators for $150 which is the stock replacement. They are not meant for off road but they will work like the stock radiator. Unless your fan shroud is broken or cracked, you should not need to zip tie it. If you have the means, go for the OEM route as that is not a bad price for a dealer radiator.

 

Thanks, I called around my area and no one was familiar with AM Radiators.

 

What I meant by AM was After Market radiators.

 

Bumping a 2 month old thread, but just wanted to toss out there that I replaced the radiator on my '94 Xtracab 22RE 4x4 5 speed pickup with the cheapest radiator on RockAuto for the v6 model (~$90 shipped), which is a little bit of an upgrade due to being bigger than the 4 cylinder versions. I've had no issues with it including fitting underneath the hood or clearing anything for that matter, and I've replaced my uncle's 2002 Tundra radiator with a unit from RockAuto as well and it's held up just fine over the last 2 or 3 years of daily driving.

 

The radiator replacement for my 1990 Toyota pickup went smoothly. I replaced it with a CSF all metal radiator.

 

I'll be interested to see what kind of luck you have with the CSF (I didn't have good luck with one I bought years ago) but I'm glad you didn't go with the dealer. That's crazy! I bought the radiator for my 98 at the dealer and it was under $200. I can't believe it's that much for yours. Wonder what the deal is.

 

Since pics are being posted, here's my $90 shipped RockAuto v6 radiator compared to the old 22RE radiator that came in it. Reason I replaced it was because some previous owner cracked the plastic drain plug, plus I think it might've been missing an o-ring on the tip of the plug, not to mention the actual wing that you would grab it by to twist the plug was broken off and so it was all chewed up from years of people using pliers haha

 

I bought the CSF radiator, PN #11551057590, at a local parts store for 321.95.

 

I really cannot understand why they're so expensive for your truck...