Well, I suppose there can be some truth to that with cars in general. But I just checked.... The 2003 GCC, 2UZJ, auto transmission 100 has the same radiator (16400-50211) as the 2003 European 100 and Japanese Cygnus 2UZJ, auto.
Don't spread a rumor GCC spec radiators have larger capacity.... even though they may. In GCC, you can get a manual transmission and the corresponding radiator does not have a transmission heater/cooler integrated into the radiator. So, yes, slightly more capacity... but not the whole story.
^^^ Agree with this info. If OE replacement radiator, it’ll come with the cap and foam. The water pump is often changed with timing belt, not always. The serpentine belt tensioner should be changed out of it is original.
When I look at their website, I just see a bunch of cheap rice rocket parts. Now, there are some very excellent, top quality JDM rice rocket parts. And then there are some cheap, knock-off budget rice rocket parts. You do what you gotta do with your budget but Mishimoto is of the later rice...
All models should work for all years. There are differences in the design but likely so subtle that 99% of the people won't care or won't notice. See post in this same thread...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/best-replacement-radiator-for-the-money-today.941526/page-8#post-11549796
A business can have a lot of complaints on BBB and still get an A+ grade. Really, it's about whether the issues are resolved or not.
A lot of the complaints are the same. Multiple replacement radiators with the same problem. And no resolution.
I do believe if there was a problem with the OE...
Some Mishimoto reviews on BBB:
https://www.bbb.org/us/de/new-castle/profile/new-auto-parts/mishimoto-automotive-0251-32001883/customer-reviews
And one of the responses from Mishimoto regarding a leaking all-aluminum radiator:
“Aluminum radiators are great at providing additional cooling for a...
Maybe it's just me but there is something suspicious about an American company out of Delaware that decided to give the company a very Japanese Name that manufacturers their products in China. Was it just marketing? We all bought the LC100 because of it's high quality. Why not buy replacement...
I do love all-aluminum... as I've dropped $$$ for a custom Ron Davis radiator before. However, to me, more important than the plastic vs all-aluminum debate is quality control. And you can't debate the quality of T.Rad radiators, OE on millions of Land Cruisers.
@hkimsoft I don't know the fin count on the 16400-50360 radiator. Maybe @harrydunn can measure.
FWIW, For 2003+, in an effort to reduce noise on US 100's, Toyota got rid of the AC condenser fan. At the same time, they changed to the higher fin radiator design. Related?
16400-50210 (98-02) Original radiator... now superseded by...
16400-50360 This part is shared by other market 100's of later years including HDJ's. Difference is unknown to me.
16400-50290 (03-07) Radiator with more fins per inch than original 98-02 radiators
The "Mexican spec" radiators...
I'm not sure why we (stock 2uz-fe) would want to use a higher psi cap. The engine and matched cooling capacity is tried and true all around the world... even in the hottest areas. A lot of racers use higher PSI cap because they run 100% water vs a coolant mix that has a higher boiling point. A...
Bent fins are no big deal. Bend them back. I don't know if I'd blame the shipping company. That's like a 30" span of cardboard with no reinforcement. Due to the proportions, that box will likely lay flat along the trip somewhere. The vendor should've double boxed.
A couple of dimes more in...
I always deduct credibility points from companies like Mishimoto and Morimoto.... ones that are US born and based but have Japanese sounding names but products completely made in China. Some call it marketing, others call it deceptive marketing.
Koyo is legit.... a Japan based company that now...
^^^ Denso is supplying to BMW and other European manufacturers nowadays too.
I'm guessing most don't pre-wash.... especially the ones at a lower price point.
Years ago, the OE radiator was much more expensive... and there weren't many aftermarket options. The OE radiator company (T.Rad) was busted for price fixing.....
https://www.autonews.com/article/20150826/OEM10/150829916/t-rad-fujikura-settle-u-s-price-fixing-civil-litigation