1997 radiator trans cooler fitting issues

[stvrn6]

Hello
My brother moved my truck to the driveway which is on an incline. The front was facing down and noticed a leak coming from the radiator transmission coolant fitting. They’re are no lines connected to it (looks like previous owner bypassed it and just uses the cooler on the back of the grill). Anyway after realizing it was the source of my leak I tried to tighten it but it was just loose. Not threaded in, just being held by silicone. I tried to thread it back on but it just won’t grab and it’s continuing to drip coolant.
Looking at other pictures it looks like this isn’t even supposed to come off.
Is it time for a new radiator?
I’ve put 200 miles on the truck the past week and never over heated. Seems like it only started leaking ones I was on an incline.
If it is time for a new radiator, is autozone okay? I have a buddy who has an OEM one ready for me to use just need to order him a replacement (500$)
Someone locally is selling what looks like eBay full aluminum radiators for 165$.
Thank you in advance!

 

[BILT4ME]

You should be able to buy a new OEM radiator for about $400.

OEM lasted 30 years,maybe the next one will again.

You know it will fit with no issues.

Based on your description of the failure, yes it needs to be replaced.

 

[jonheld]

16400-66040 OEM TRAD radiator.
List price $490. Looking at one now for $341.38.

 

[efjayatee]

+1 on the OEM rad. Listen to the folks on this forum.
And while you are at it, change out your water pump & Thermostat, rad hoses, fan clutch, pulleys and belts if they are original.

 

[stvrn6]

+1 on the OEM rad. Listen to the folks on this forum.
And while you are at it, change out your water pump & Thermostat, rad hoses, fan clutch, pulleys and belts if they are original.

Actually already did thermostat, plumbing, belts and doing a fan clutch right now. That was my second question, previous owner told me they did the water pump. It has markings “GMB Japan”
Should I take his word for it or order an oem one?

Edit: this looks like they used gasket maker, I thought they used a gasket?

 

[Malleus]

The new OEM pumps are supplied with a gasket. That doesn't look like one.

 

[stvrn6]

The new OEM pumps are supplied with a gasket. That doesn't look like one.

Aisin okay? After ready looks like they’re the same?

 

[Malleus]

I've only replaced one radiator with an aftermarket. I used the all copper, metal top tank CSF:

I had it given to me used, and had a local shop unsolder it, clean it and resolder the tank. That was some time ago, and it's still running with no problems at all. It is the best cooling radiator in the fleet.

IMHO, Toyota really screwed up when they replaced the old heat exchanger design with the aluminum tube and plastic tank model. They last, but don't cool as well as the all metal models, and they are really prone to failure at the no. 3 bypass hose nipple. I've lost count of the number of radiators I've replaced due to that stupid tube.

Having said all that, the general opinion seems to be that the aluminum, two row, plastic tank design from anybody is as good as the OEM it's a clone of, so, take that for what it's worth.