Best replacement radiator for the money today...

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Ok I re-looked, Toyota version is shy of $400. I think what I saw earlier had a $300 shipping charge that I didn't see, but not if I pickup at the dealer instead ;)
I may just get it even though I'd rather have an all-aluminum version instead of partial plastic - but I did see there was a comment that the Mishimoto unit had some issues...
 
Pick up at Local Mr T is certainly best bet- not only due to saving on shipping, yet damage is a common issue when dealing with shipping- of any radiator. Documented in this thread
 
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.
 
Ok I re-looked, Toyota version is shy of $400. I think what I saw earlier had a $300 shipping charge that I didn't see, but not if I pickup at the dealer instead ;)
I may just get it even though I'd rather have an all-aluminum version instead of partial plastic - but I did see there was a comment that the Mishimoto unit had some issues...
What issues with the Mishimoto have you seen?
 
What issues with the Mishimoto have you seen?
I think he's referring to someone's repeated issues with Mishimoto's regular replacement radiator (plastic tanks), which I recall seeing in this thread--I do not remember seeing negative from anyone who's installed the all-aluminum Mishmoto. . . it's the direction I'm leaning, unless someone says something bad about it before I get to this project (preventative replacement).
 
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 parts from THE original Japanese company with a Japanese name that is manufactured in Japan? I'm not trying to be anti-China as there are some, high quality, but highly controlled products made in China. But if you've ever traveled to both Japan and China, you'd know what I'm talking about.

Lifetime warranty doesn't really mean much to me. Autozone and Midas offer lifetime warranties... and crappy products. I bought my 100 used when it was 4 years old, it had no warranty left. Quality has been stellar.

Unfortuntately, it looks like the LC300 won't make it to US consumers. America doesn't want quality, they want disposable vehicles and bling. Fortunately for us (I'm guessing), the LX will be quality disguised with bling and we will still be able to buy a 300.
 
I went with the mishimoto plastic “oem replacement” because I had heard good things about their aluminum units. The first radiator they sent me was cracked. The second radiator they sent me failed in a week. I’m on my third now and I’m waiting for it to fail so I can put in an OEM Toyota. To be fair, mishimoto has refunded me my initial investment, so I have a total of $0 cash in my radiator replacement from them. But a few Saturday mornings and a few gallons of coolant were sacrificed because of their piss poor quality control.

bright side is I can install a radiator in about 30 minutes now...
 
I went with the mishimoto plastic “oem replacement” because I had heard good things about their aluminum units. The first radiator they sent me was cracked. The second radiator they sent me failed in a week. I’m on my third now and I’m waiting for it to fail so I can put in an OEM Toyota. To be fair, mishimoto has refunded me my initial investment, so I have a total of $0 cash in my radiator replacement from them. But a few Saturday mornings and a few gallons of coolant were sacrificed because of their piss poor quality control.

bright side is I can install a radiator in about 30 minutes now...
Ahh plastic version. When you originally posted back in January that you had failures with the MM radiator(s)- I assumed you were speaking about the all Aluminum radiator.
 
Ahh plastic version. When you originally posted back in January that you had failures with the MM radiator(s)- I assumed you were speaking about the all Aluminum radiator.
I should go back and edit to make that clear. I have no experience with their aluminum unit and would hate to steer people away from a quality product...
 
I am curious about something- it’s been talked about once. I’m curious if replacement Oem is still not as good as.... Original manufacturer part from factory. I had to replace my radiator around 250k. I replaced with Oem. I really question if I’ll get another 250k, even if proper maintenance of fluid. I feel the Replacement Oem is high quality, yet the Original went to 250k. Other people have stated around 200+ for replacement.
Just a point to discuss. The Original could be different? Regardless, unless custom aluminum- I feel Oem for this particular part is Money well spent. Longevity is my Interest.
 
I am curious about something- it’s been talked about once. I’m curious if replacement Oem is still not as good as.... Original manufacturer part from factory. I had to replace my radiator around 250k. I replaced with Oem. I really question if I’ll get another 250k, even if proper maintenance of fluid. I feel the Replacement Oem is high quality, yet the Original went to 250k. Other people have stated around 200+ for replacement.
Just a point to discuss. The Original could be different? Regardless, unless custom aluminum- I feel Oem for this particular part is Money well spent. Longevity is my Interest.
I guess it depends on what you mean by OEM. You can get Denso radiators, which some claim as OEM, but are now made in Indonesia (?) and have pretty bad quality ratings on places like Amazon.
:meh:
 
We're finding out through experiences on this thread that most any of the aftermarket options are hit & miss; ranging from issues ranging from shroud fitment, to outlet pipe size variation & casting seams causing leaks with OEM hoses, poorly sealed tanks and early core failures. Seems that ponying up a few more $$ for the OEM is still the least troublesome option. Whichever choice, picking up locally is optimal so that you can inspect for damage and refuse on the spot vs playing roulette with possible shipping damage.
 
I guess it depends on what you mean by OEM. You can get Denso radiators, which some claim as OEM, but are now made in Indonesia (?) and have pretty bad quality ratings on places like Amazon.
:meh:
Personally, I'd give a grain of salt to Amazon reviews recently. After numerous vehicles and cycling through aftermarket vs. OEM replacement parts, my lesson learned is to stick with OEM (shopping for the best deal on verified genuine parts) unless there is great feedback in independent communities on the quality of the product (such as in enthusiast forums, for example). The big vendors typically won't spend/waste their time on these forums.

Want to know the right replacement part for your LC/LX? MUD has the answer. Want to know the right replacement part for your Gen1 NSX? NSX Prime has your answer. Etc etc
 
Personally, I'd give a grain of salt to Amazon reviews recently. After numerous vehicles and cycling through aftermarket vs. OEM replacement parts, my lesson learned is to stick with OEM (shopping for the best deal on verified genuine parts) unless there is great feedback in independent communities on the quality of the product (such as in enthusiast forums, for example). The big vendors typically won't spend/waste their time on these forums.

Want to know the right replacement part for your LC/LX? MUD has the answer. Want to know the right replacement part for your Gen1 NSX? NSX Prime has your answer. Etc etc
Which is why I had hoped to hear some good reports on the full aluminum version of the mishimoto- TBD I guess.
 
Well, in a coin-flip situation I decided to go with the Mishimoto all-aluminum over the Toyota plastic tank. I have no doubt the Toyota radiator is a wise choice, especially compared to the other plastic tank alternatives. Perhaps this will bite me in the ass, perhaps not. I've got all-aluminum aftermarket radiators in my Hilux and Delmont, so figure the Cruiser might as well match. Crossing my fingers.
 
Well, in a coin-flip situation I decided to go with the Mishimoto all-aluminum over the Toyota plastic tank. I have no doubt the Toyota radiator is a wise choice, especially compared to the other plastic tank alternatives. Perhaps this will bite me in the ass, perhaps not. I've got all-aluminum aftermarket radiators in my Hilux and Delmont, so figure the Cruiser might as well match. Crossing my fingers.
I checked out the Mishimoto site. For my 99 LC it only lists one radiator that is plastic and AL. Is there an all AL option? The plastic and AL rad is only 154 $
 
 
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