factory a/c radiator vs. non a/c (1 Viewer)

[rukowh]

I havce a 79 fj40 with factory air. Somewhere along the way a previous owner had some surgery done on the radiator and it doesn't cool as well as it should. I looked on ccot's site and they show a different radiator for factory a/c than non a/c. The heavy duty one they have is four core like the one I have. Does any one know what the difference between the two is? I also checked the price at radiatorbarn.com and they ask whether it has a/c or not, but show the same radiator for a/c and non a/c. They sell the heavy duty 4 core for 176.62 + free shiping with lifetime warranty

 

[Rick '79 FJ40]

I havce a 79 fj40 with factory air. Somewhere along the way a previous owner had some surgery done on the radiator and it doesn't cool as well as it should. I looked on ccot's site and they show a different radiator for factory a/c than non a/c. The heavy duty one they have is four core like the one I have. Does any one know what the difference between the two is? I also checked the price at radiatorbarn.com and they ask whether it has a/c or not, but show the same radiator for a/c and non a/c. They sell the heavy duty 4 core for 176.62 + free shiping with lifetime warranty

I also have a '79 that originally had A/C. The radiator and radiator bracket for the A/C are larger than the non-A/C version as well as thicker because of the 4 rows instead of 3 rows. I went ahead and replaced mine with an OEM A/C version partly because I plan to put A/C back on mine and partly for the increased cooling capacity. At the time I was looking to replace mine, I didn't find a non-OEM radiator that looked like it would fir the larger bracket. There may be one available now.

By the way, I paid approx. $400 for the OEM one with the TLCA discount. Pretty pricey, but I wanted to go OEM as much as possible, and the original one lasted almost 30 years...

 

[Poser]

The frame for a factory a/c radiator is wider, as is the radiator, but the thickness is the same....




A four core non-a/c radiator will fit into a frame that had a three core in it originally...but the a/c radiator will not fit into the three core/four core non-a/c frame....

 

[tmarx]

A four core non-a/c radiator will fit into a frame that had a three core in it originally...but the a/c radiator will not fit into the three core/four core non-a/c frame....

Does this mean I can fit any of these ebay type 3/4 core non A/C type radiators into my A/C frame, Poser ? That would solve my current headache nicely.If not where can one find a supplier for the A/C type radiators, please ?

 

[cea1]

No, the standard radiator does not fit into the A/C radiator frame. Good luck finding an OEM A/C radiator anywhere. In the several years that have passed since this thread was opened, Toyota quit selling them at least in the US. Not sure if you could find them in your location. If not, you are likely going to end up having yours recored/rebuilt.

 

[tmarx]

Thanks for the reply.Just as I thought I hit a wall and would be left with no other option but to rebuild mine I measure the distances between the centre of mounting bolt holes and I get approx 535 mm ? Could it be that the different size radiator (A/C vs Non A/C) is only applicable i.r.o. the FJ 40 and not the BJ #4 ?? IOW any of those 4 row/core Champion radiators with the following dimensions

Overall: 22" tall x 22 1/8" wide

Core: 16 1/2" tall x 19 1/4" wide

Inlet: 1.5" located on driver side.

Outlet: 1.5" located on passenger side.

Tanks: 3 1/8" thick

might just fit ?

 

[tmarx]

I can now confirm that the OEM A/C(575mm center of mounting hole to centre of mounting hole) vs Non A/C(535mm COMH to COMH) radiator differences in width (and thickness ??), is only applicable to the FJ 40. The BJ 40/2 diesels have the same width(535mm COMH to COMH) throughout.I have therefore decided to go with a 4 core aluminum Champion radiator !

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

@tmarx
Which Radiator did you end up going with?
I also have a ‘79 with factory air but unfortunately a PO replaced the original radiator with an OEM one for non-AC.

 

[SW20]

@tmarx
Which Radiator did you end up going with?
I also have a ‘79 with factory air but unfortunately a PO replaced the original radiator with an OEM one for non-AC.

I think you can still get it from Toyota. I have the radiator on my 1979, but missing the fan shroud, that is a headache trying to find one.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

I think you can still get it from Toyota. I have the radiator on my 1979, but missing the fan shroud, that is a headache trying to find one.

It shows up as No Longer Available in the parts list. I read on another thread on here that @cruiserdan sold the last one in the US parts system back in 2003.

 

[SW20]

It shows up as No Longer Available in the parts list. I read on another thread on here that @cruiserdan sold the last one in the US parts system back in 2003.

I will be giving Spector Off road a call tomorrow regarding the shroud, I can ask about the radiator as well.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

I will be giving Spector Off road a call tomorrow regarding the shroud, I can ask about the radiator as well.

Thanks.

 

[tmarx]

@tmarx
Which Radiator did you end up going with?
I also have a ‘79 with factory air but unfortunately a PO replaced the original radiator with an OEM one for non-AC.

The 4 core alu Champion Radiator from Leadfoot Racing

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

The 4 core alu Champion Radiator from Leadfoot Racing

Did the mounting holes align with the rad frame?

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

Here’s what I found, does this look like the right one?
Toyota Land Cruiser Radiator (70-80)

 

[tmarx]

Yeah, that is the one I fitted.The holes all lined up etc, I only needed to trim the corners of the radiator surround/cradle a very little in the corners !

 

[White Stripe]

Does it seem to cool better?