Builds 1988 BJ74 “Number 1” (4 Viewers)

[FJBen]

Radiator has crapped out. Twice I've noticed my overflow near empty in the last month. No signs of leaks I could find, no white smoke. Topped off overflow yesterday and it was gone this morning. Now I know it will suck coolant back in during heat/cool cycles...but that much is usually a leak. No classic tell tale drips, stains or the like. Im sure the cold weather and wet slush/snow has helped not causing any higher temps, until today.

I noticed my temp guage about a needle's width higher than normal. Couple that with replacing the coolant, I was on that gauge and popping the hoods within seconds. No drip, coolant still there. Took a few short trips to heat up and watch it, but no tell tale signs.

Parked it and popped the hood and went looking everywhere. Welp, upon inspection looks like the old radiator is giving up the ghost at the bottom. Probably only leaking when I gets hot enough, seeping down and out of any easy visible view. No leaks or drips when sitting.

Since it's already be repaired once, not sure if I will try again or if I will give Odd iron a ring, @Gun Runner 5 for his aluminum setup. The repair has lasted 2 years so I'm not mad, but I definitely don't want to have a catastrophe


OEM radiator NLA...
Custom aluminum?
REbuild this one?

 

[FJBen]

Pulled the skid plate at lunch. At this point I suppose it’s time for a new radiator. 33 years with 25 in the outback and 510,000kms, I suppose it’s time.

 

[PabloCruise]

We could run that one up the road to Cheyenne!

 

[PabloCruise]

What is the price on the aluminum unit?

 

[jblueridge]

I got mine re-cored.
The old shop owner recognized it as part of a Land Cruiser when I carried it in though he never laid eyes on a 70 series before.

 

[FJBen]

We could run that one up the road to Cheyenne!

Is there a shop up there that does good work?

What is the price on the aluminum unit?

I believe last I checked it was $350-$375 plus shipping so I imagine $400ish.

 

[FJBen]

I got mine re-cored.
The old shop owner recognized it as part of a Land Cruiser when I carried it in though he never laid eyes on a 70 series before.

I just don’t know of any good shops around here to recore. Notnsure on the aluminum longevity/quality of the replacement ones.

 

[jblueridge]

My nephew went to these guys while at UW. May be too far away.
Location | Laramie | Laramie Radiator Work's Auto Recycling - https://www.laramieradiatorworksautorecycling.com/location

 

[PabloCruise]

My nephew went to these guys while at UW. May be too far away.
Location | Laramie | Laramie Radiator Work's Auto Recycling - https://www.laramieradiatorworksautorecycling.com/location

Those are the guys!
They have a shop in Cheyenne as well.

 

[FJBen]

Those are the guys!
They have a shop in Cheyenne as well.

I saw them, still trying to decide whether to go new aluminum or try and rebuild this one again.

 

[2fpower]

look at ebay. There are a number that are sitting in US warehouses - that are really inexpensive. I assume someone imported only to realize there are no 70 series rigs in US. Not sure if they are diesel or not.

I just got this one for $140 shipped. 3 row. Using for my LS swap.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[FJBen]

look at ebay. There are a number that are sitting in US warehouses - that are really inexpensive. I assume someone imported only to realize there are no 70 series rigs in US. Not sure if they are diesel or not.

I just got this one for $140 shipped. 3 row. Using for my LS swap.

Pardon Our Interruption...

The outlets are wrong on at least that listing. I have looked before at the ebay aluminum radiators, but I haven't heard the best track record for them. Mainly, mounting points breaking off/cracking. It appears all of the BJ74 radiators on ebay are from the same chinese factory and sitting around $300.

I know @Gun Runner 5 has the odd iron off-road one and I think the track record has been good on those. I don't know if those are custom from somewhere or ebay sourced?

Ron Davis makes great radiators in the US but I believe they are pretty pricey.

 

[coldtaco]

I got a custom built one from PWR. You tell them what model 70 series and they send you a basic drawing and you add what you want, just don’t forget to add a drain valve. Bit spendy but well built.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

The outlets are wrong on at least that listing. I have looked before at the ebay aluminum radiators, but I haven't heard the best track record for them. Mainly, mounting points breaking off/cracking. It appears all of the BJ74 radiators on ebay are from the same chinese factory and sitting around $300.

I know @Gun Runner 5 has the odd iron off-road one and I think the track record has been good on those. I don't know if those are custom from somewhere or ebay sourced?

Ron Davis makes great radiators in the US but I believe they are pretty pricey.

P.M. sent

 

[Honger]

Your truck is 33 years old... and I'm assuming so is that radiator. When I got the Troopy we found 7 leaks in the radiator... all just seeping/weeping type of leaks, but they were obvious. It was only going to get worse. I could have rebuilt but decided to buy a new OEM one (I lucked out that they were available). 33 years is a long time and a lot of service. I rationalized that with the age of the truck/radiator, it was really about time for a new one. I really prize having a well-kept cooling system.

I say go new. With either a reputable aluminum one OR custom.

That said, a radiator guy here in town says that the older Toyota radiators are VERY repairable and worth re-coring/rebuilding due to their build quality.

 

[FJBen]

Your truck is 33 years old... and I'm assuming so is that radiator. When I got the Troopy we found 7 leaks in the radiator... all just seeping/weeping type of leaks, but they were obvious. It was only going to get worse. I could have rebuilt but decided to buy a new OEM one (I lucked out that they were available). 33 years is a long time and a lot of service. I rationalized that with the age of the truck/radiator, it was really about time for a new one. I really prize having a well-kept cooling system.

I say go new. With either a reputable aluminum one OR custom.

That said, a radiator guy here in town says that the older Toyota radiators are VERY repairable and worth re-coring/rebuilding due to their build quality.

Yeah it sounds like Odd Iron can no longer source them either. It's looking more like repair or take a chance on an ebay aluminum. I'm going to give ron davis a call here later and see what they have for options.

When I repaired it 2 years ago, it seemed to be OK according to the shop but obviously another 2 years has wore it down more.

 

[jblueridge]

My radiator guy said the brass top and bottom tanks on these are heavy gauge metal.
I never considered a new aluminum one.

 

[FJBen]

My radiator guy said the brass top and bottom tanks on these are heavy gauge metal.
I never considered a new aluminum one.

the plan is AAA radiator in Longmont, co. He said they can do high efficiency 3 core that’s just as good as 4 core if we need to fully rebuild.

now just finding the time to drain it all and pull it.

 

[OGBeno]

Rebuild. 100%

 

[SNLC]

I got a custom built one from PWR. You tell them what model 70 series and they send you a basic drawing and you add what you want, just don’t forget to add a drain valve. Bit spendy but well built.

Over ten years ago PWR custom built me one for a diesel Nissan Patrol. It was a super nice radiator and plug and play.

Cheers