Radiator--repair or replace?

77fj40 · 07-04-08, 04:14 PM

Hello all,
I thought I would get your opinions on my radiator. It sprung a pin hole leak last year and I took it to a radiator shop, where they made a solder repair. Now it has a pin hole through the solder.

So, should I take it back to shop for a waranty repair (I don't know if they will or not) or should I bite the bullet and spend $265-$395 for a new unit.

Also, $265 is at radiatorbarn.com and $395 is for a dealer unit (Napa wants $450). Anybody delt with radiator barn before?

Thanks

edit: this is a 91 fj80 with 207,000mi

turbocruiser · 07-04-08, 04:16 PM

Only one answer in my opinion ... Replace!

And only one place to purchase the replacement in my opinion ... cruiserdan!

Hope that helps. Ohh get the three row brass spec'd for 93 -94 80's.

Edit: I'm assuming you're asking about an 80 here and not a 40!

Cruiserdrew · 07-04-08, 04:19 PM

Just get it fixed. You need to find an old time radiator shop that still will do boilouts, recores and repairs. I'd take a repaired Toyota OEM radiator anyday over a Chinese radiator from radiator barn.

Worst case you can have them recore it, but if you'r lucky they can just repair it. Last time I did that they boiled it out and fixed the leak for $25. Same day service too.

turbocruiser · 07-04-08, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

Just get it fixed. You need to find an old time radiator shop that still will do boilouts, recores and repairs. I'd take a repaired Toyota OEM radiator anyday over a Chinese radiator from radiator barn.

Worst case you can have them recore it, but if you'r lucky they can just repair it. Last time I did that they boiled it out and fixed the leak for $25. Same day service too.

Yea but he has already tried all that and now he would be taking it twice to the same shop, OR, spending the $ to repair it twice and still have an old rad otherwise. I still say the best bet is a OEM from Dan.

Cruiserdrew · 07-04-08, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbocruiser

Yea but he has already tried all that and now he would be taking it twice to the same shop, OR, spending the $ to repair it twice and still have an old rad otherwise. I still say the best bet is a OEM from Dan.

Don't the 91s use an all metal radiator? If they use a plastic tank radiator like the later 80s, then I agree. With metal tanks, though, a good shop can reuse the tanks, solder in a new core and it should be good as new. Recore jobs around here are $200 so that's a significant saving over a new unit.

77fj40 · 07-04-08, 04:30 PM

its an all metal radiator. does cdan have a website where I can check cost?

turbocruiser · 07-04-08, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

Don't the 91s use an all metal radiator? If they use a plastic tank radiator like the later 80s, then I agree. With metal tanks, though, a good shop can reuse the tanks, solder in a new core and it should be good as new. Recore jobs around here are $200 so that's a significant saving over a new unit.

You might be right about that, maybe someone with a 91 can chime in, like I wrote above, I was guessing what vehicle this was to start with. I guess I got leary of this particular shop since the area they repaired is already bad again. If it is a metal tank though perhaps another shop can save the day. Still sucks that he has to pay twice to get it fixed once!

mainemike · 07-04-08, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77fj40

its an all metal radiator. does cdan have a website where I can check cost?

no website. C-dan works at American Toyota

1-800-432-6668

or PM him thru MUD.

Their price will be the best in the country for a Toyota OEM radiator. Search this site and you may find older posts that mention a price, but only C-dan can tell you what todays price is.

It may take a while given that many Cruisers will be beat on this July 4th weekend and I suspect Dan will have a busy week coming up!

nodaksn3 · 07-04-08, 05:22 PM

I put a new radiator on my 62, bought it from CCOT (I think). Worked fine. Just had the radiator on my '84 Mercedes 380SL rebuilt/recored at a very reputable local shop, and they did a super job. It's all metal. Simply soldering over a hole isn't a good fix, obviously, have them recore it or go new.

ToothDr · 07-05-08, 01:40 AM

Cruiserparts.net has a new Toyota radiator for 91,92 model year on the website for $249. Seems like a pretty good deal for a new factory unit.

07-04-08, 04:14 PM	#1
77fj40 IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 123	Radiator--repair or replace? Hello all, I thought I would get your opinions on my radiator. It sprung a pin hole leak last year and I took it to a radiator shop, where they made a solder repair. Now it has a pin hole through the solder. So, should I take it back to shop for a waranty repair (I don't know if they will or not) or should I bite the bullet and spend $265-$395 for a new unit. Also, $265 is at radiatorbarn.com and $395 is for a dealer unit (Napa wants $450). Anybody delt with radiator barn before? Thanks edit: this is a 91 fj80 with 207,000mi

07-04-08, 04:16 PM	#2
turbocruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,083	Only one answer in my opinion ... Replace! And only one place to purchase the replacement in my opinion ... cruiserdan! Hope that helps. Ohh get the three row brass spec'd for 93 -94 80's. Edit: I'm assuming you're asking about an 80 here and not a 40! __________________ 97 FZJ80, Locked & Loaded, Safari Turbo, Safari Intercooler, LandTank MAF, 3" Ceramic Coated Custom Exhaust, Ron Davis Racing Radiator, OME HD 2.5" Suspension, DBA Slotted Rotors, New Toyota Calipers All Around, Toyota Pads, 33" Revos, ARB Front Bumper, Center Diff Switch, Slee Stuff: Roof Rack, Step Sliders, Skid Plates, SS Brake Lines, DC Drive Shaft. HG PM'd, 8.5psi and climbing, My Rocky Mountain Mojo Mobile!

07-04-08, 04:19 PM	#3
Cruiserdrew KI6MIE Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA TLCA# 11734 Posts: 7,188	Just get it fixed. You need to find an old time radiator shop that still will do boilouts, recores and repairs. I'd take a repaired Toyota OEM radiator anyday over a Chinese radiator from radiator barn. Worst case you can have them recore it, but if you'r lucky they can just repair it. Last time I did that they boiled it out and fixed the leak for $25. Same day service too. __________________ Andrew 1971 FJ-40 Rubicon tested, 2F powered, some mods 1976 FJ40 Rusting slowly in the back yard 1984 FJ-60 H55f, 4.11, OME, Daily Driver 1989 FJ-62 117k-son's driver for now-low and slow 1997 FZJ-80 Driveway queen

07-04-08, 05:22 PM	#9
nodaksn3 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 276	I put a new radiator on my 62, bought it from CCOT (I think). Worked fine. Just had the radiator on my '84 Mercedes 380SL rebuilt/recored at a very reputable local shop, and they did a super job. It's all metal. Simply soldering over a hole isn't a good fix, obviously, have them recore it or go new. __________________ '95 FJZ80- stock, not locked, PHH, HG, love it '80 FJ40- stock, '84 2F, mini PS, a/c, still lotsa rust, sold '88 FJ62- sold '84 FJ60- sold '81 FJ40- sold '71 FJ40 w/factory winch-sold "Busily stamping out pissants while the pachyderms are running wild"

07-05-08, 01:40 AM	#10
ToothDr IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 122	Cruiserparts.net has a new Toyota radiator for 91,92 model year on the website for $249. Seems like a pretty good deal for a new factory unit. __________________ 1993 FZJ80 - Stock for now.

07-04-08, 04:30 PM	#6
77fj40 IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 123	its an all metal radiator. does cdan have a website where I can check cost?

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