All aluminum radiator affordable now

[Sky Soldier]

Cruising the internet I found that the KOYO manufactured, all aluminum radiator is now in the range of affordablity - $450. The only downside I see is that it is just a radiator and has no provision for internal AT cooler - it has to be external.

Koyo N-Flo Aluminum Radiator - 03-09 4Runner V8 / 03-09 Lexus GX470

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www.tf-works.com

Knowing this means adding an external AT cooler, but what size? Anybody know how much surface area the GX original area has?

Asking for a friend.

 

[Mr Chuck Norris]

The OEM cooler is 9" wide x 4" tall x 1" thick (+/- about 0.25", I reached under the bumper with a tape measure so that's as accurate as I can guarantee. ).

 

[Sky Soldier]

The OEM cooler is 9" wide x 4" tall x 1" thick (+/- about 0.25", I reached under the bumper with a tape measure so that's as accurate as I can guarantee. ).

Okay. Is there an internal one in the radiator that contributes to the cooling?

 

[Mr Chuck Norris]

Okay. Is there an internal one in the radiator that contributes to the cooling?

Ah, I didn't quite catch all of your original question.

Someone else might get to this first as I'm back inside working (and posting on Mud), but I think that GXs with the external trans cooler don't even use the internal cooler. IIRC the internal coolers are just a couple loops of tubing, maybe with fins attached, inside the side tank of the radiator and not a dedicated portion of the radiator with any measurable area. The trans temp will never get lower than the coolant temp though with an integrated cooler so it's not really the most effective system.

 

[Sky Soldier]

Okay, so consider any portion of radiator as nil to the calculations of the size of the external one. Basically mount the largest one you can on the driver's side to cool the transmission fluid.

 

[Jstawgn]

To anybody that have OBDII gauge, what is the normal coolant temperature? I notice today that my temp is up to 205 and hover around 199-200°F cruising. Ambient are about 85°F. Transmission stays around 175-180 all the time. Might be a sign that it's ready to fail. I got 181k. I don't know if this is original or not. No sign of leak on the radiator.

I installed Koyo racing radiator on my other car and it hover around 183-188°F. Used to run 188-192 before.

 

[NJGX]

To anybody that have OBDII gauge, what is the normal coolant temperature? I notice today that my temp is up to 205 and hover around 199-200°F cruising. Ambient are about 85°F. Transmission stays around 175-180 all the time. Might be a sign that it's ready to fail. I got 181k. I don't know if this is original or not. No sign of leak on the radiator.

I installed Koyo racing radiator on my other car and it hover around 183-188°F. Used to run 188-192 be

Mine stays at about 190 +/- 3 degrees depending on my speed and outside temp. It used to be around 210 when I first got the truck because the old thermostat would not open all of the way. Maybe a fresh OEM tstat and rad cap can bring your temps back down before investing in the Koyo rad.

 

[Jstawgn]

Mine stays at about 190 +/- 3 degrees depending on my speed and outside temp. It used to be around 210 when I first got the truck because the old thermostat would not open all of the way. Maybe a fresh OEM tstat and rad cap can bring your temps back down before investing in the Koyo rad.

Well, it start leaking today. So increased temperature can be a clear indication that they start losing efficiency. When it did that the pressure increase and fatigue the plastics end tank soon.

I decided not to get Koyo as I am going to spend a lot doing timing belt, acessory belt, fan clutch and all the idler + bracket.