How to install a FJ62 Radiator into a HJ61 with the 12H-T Diesel Engine

[SoCal FZJ80]

I have been running a FJ62 Radiator in my HJ61 for the last 6 months with great results.
What was going to be a temporary install solution to keep driving the Cruiser until I could source a new OEM radiator has turned into a viable option for a permanent solution. My HJ61 temperature gauge never exceeds 1/3 even climbing the enormous Cajon Pass daily. Long term I was thinking to install a custom built high performance radiator, but until then this is holding up for my daily driver.

I will document the install in the following:

(Left) Thermostat that was in HJ61 from Japan, (right) Thermostat ordered as replacement.

Quickly made hose size step down to adjust sizing from larger engine out put to smaller radiator input. Rings for holding hose clamps from "Walking" made from weld and ground smooth.

 

[roma042987]

is this an upgrade of some sort? the factory radiator is readily available from Toyota and a direct bolt in with no modifications

 

[ozcrusier]

I will document the install in the following threads.
Sounds great and should help others with overheating problems.

 

[SoCal FZJ80]

is this an upgrade of some sort? the factory radiator is readily available from Toyota and a direct bolt in with no modifications

Good to hear about the OEM parts quick availability!

I didn't want to wait until I could source a radiator, So I made my own solution using parts I already

had. Since I daily drive it, I didn't want to have it down for more than a day.

This is a good post if someone else is stuck, they can figure out a temporary

solution to keep them going. In my case... I'm going to keep driving mine with the FJ62

Radiator unless it eventually starts giving me problems. So far So Great!

 

[roma042987]

A HJ61 Radiator for the 12H-T turbo diesel is readily available at USA Toyota dealers?

You are luckier than me my friend, my local Toyota dealer doesn't even know what a HJ61 with a 12H-T is

When I asked them for one, they looked at me like I was from another planet. Got the blank expression of

"Man, this guy is some kind of fruitcake" ... "A diesel Toyota in the USA, whatever". Easy for me to point to

it sitting in the parking lot saying "there it is"... Anyhow, when I tried to order a OEM radiator for my HJ61 the

price was going to be +/- $900 usd. So I made my own solution using parts I already had.

I will gather the pictures of the install and post up soon. That way if someone else is stuck, they can figure out a temporary

solution to keep going or in my case... I'm going to keep driving mine with the FJ62 Radiator.

yes it is readily available stateside I had it within a day or two. if youre have trouble with your local dealer give beno a shout he can get it for you as well. It is less than 400 bucks

 

[SoCal FZJ80]

$400 from Beno is an amazingly great price, Many other sources wanted a bit more for their options. I will definitely keep it in mind.

I will say, this temporary solution of using the FJ62 radiator has been a great remedy. Temp stays consistent at 1/3 whether climbing

a mountain at highway speeds or climbing a mountain at rock crawling speeds. Now getting into summer, will be fun to see if running

A/C has any effect.

Thanks for the contributions to this thread

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Thanks for the contribution of Beno being a source for a $400 HJ61 Radiator for future reference.

I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but you have an HJ61--you should know how good of a source @beno is.

I've got a bunch of non-US spec trucks. Not even a little worry about parts availability on my end, because of the small group of parts suppliers who accommodate those of us with the diesel cruiser bug. That leaves the local parts dealer conspicuously absent (except back when my local parts dealer was @cruiserdan and @beno).

I'm guessing that we push our HJ61s similarly. I'm at much higher altitudes, with similar grades--but lower temperatures in the summer. Our AC has no appreciable effect on the coolant temp. The thing that most affects the coolant temp is my right foot.

Dan

 

[gerg]

I swapped my 3B into a fj62 and used its rad since then. Just have to reroute the lower hose is all. I clogged the stock one and bought a replacement from craigslist for 50$. Nice to have a 4 core.

 

[SoCal FZJ80]

I swapped my 3B into a fj62 and used its rad since then. Just have to reroute the lower hose is all. I clogged the stock one and bought a replacement from craigslist for 50$. Nice to have a 4 core.

Glad to hear you also had success with the FJ62 radiator.

 

[gerg]

Yeah they are well built, handle a lot of heat and are lying in wreckers all over the place for cheap.