lj78 2lte radiator

[Russell Cole]

I was wondering if anyone out there has done any retrofitting of a larger rad in the 1990 prado, to help with the cooling issue . I am wondering if putting a seperate tranny cooler in and bypassing the stock in the rad . seems like hills are a problem , does any one have any thoughts? Would this take heat away from the stock rad? The other thing is intercoolers, I dont know much about these things. I am just looking to bullet proof the cooling system and of coarse any performance improvement would be a bonus .I am open to any suggestions or improvements anyone has done. thanks Russell

 

[light_duty]

It seems that a larger rad or maybe a rad with more cores would help keep things cool, but I would start with the clutch fan - either rebuild or replace. If you do a search in the diesel section you'll find a lot of info. Wayne (crushers) has put a lot of $$$ into trying to keep his wife's LJ78 cool. I think he upgraded the rad and put in a fixed fan.

I haven't had too much trouble with mine overheating, though I do notice that on long, slow fire roads, the temps start to rise. I am planning on overhauling my fan clutch, and I'm even looking at an electric fan with 3 position switch for on/off/thermostat activated.

Putting in an 88C thermo may help too, instead of the 92.

Just some thoughts.

 

[crushers]

I was wondering if anyone out there has done any retrofitting of a larger rad in the 1990 prado, to help with the cooling issue . I am wondering if putting a seperate tranny cooler in and bypassing the stock in the rad . seems like hills are a problem , does any one have any thoughts? Would this take heat away from the stock rad? The other thing is intercoolers, I dont know much about these things. I am just looking to bullet proof the cooling system and of coarse any performance improvement would be a bonus .I am open to any suggestions or improvements anyone has done. thanks Russell

i have a 3X3/4" recored rad in the wife's bush truck and no more overheating problems after some good highway running and off road beatings...
so far so good, one of the best upgrades you can do right up there with the larger exhaust and more boost...

 

[Russell Cole]

looked at crappy tire they sell a product called water wetter by redline .Claims an up to 30 degree drop in coolant temps . What do you think ? I might stop and try a bottle tonight my prado has not had an issue since I did the head and thermostat and water pump .

 

[light_duty]

yeah, try it and report back!

 

[noswals]

Hey Russell....
I've tried the Water-Wetter product in my LJ 78 - I do believe that it makes a difference. Give it a shot, it certainly can't hurt!
Cheers,
Craig.

 

[1990 LJ78]

I have a 3 core rebuilt rad in my truck..
Seems to work a hole lot better now.
Waiting for that 40degree celcius weather to return to really give it a work out.

 

[bruzer]

i would seggest adding a water temp. gauge the factory gauge has to much restance. they are easy to install and cheap insurrance

 

[Russell Cole]

what size exhaust would you recomend and did you change it from the manifold? back or muffler back? The other thing is how do I adjust the boost?.thanks Russell

 

[Russell Cole]

how do I adjust the boost on my 2lte ? thanks Russell

 

[crushers]

have you installed the boost guage yet? if not then don't mess with the boost till you do...
2 1/2" aluminized exhuast from the manifold back...

 

[Russell Cole]

thanks Wayne, do you sell an exhaust for these rigs ? thanks for all the help Russell

 

[crushers]

i have a shop here in town that does all my exhaust work (for the last 20 ears)
sorry each one is a custom job...

 

[1990 LJ78]

I wish I had axcess to that muffler shop.
20 yrs experience on cruiser exhausts.. Wow!!

 

[crushers]

they are true artists in a trade of goofs...
i am very happy i was able to find them years ago...

 

[Postoy]

Raising the dead... but didn't want to start a new thread on this... Anyone have any luck with replacement radiators for these trucks? Mine has a pin hole leak in the top that I have repaired but I am trying to be proactive. Thinking I might swap to the evan's waterless at the same time although I have yet to have a overheating issue. While I am on topic How about heater cores? Anyone had to replace theirs yet? Easy to find?

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Raising the dead... but didn't want to start a new thread on this... Anyone have any luck with replacement radiators for these trucks? Mine has a pin hole leak in the top that I have repaired but I am trying to be proactive. Thinking I might swap to the evan's waterless at the same time although I have yet to have a overheating issue. While I am on topic How about heater cores? Anyone had to replace theirs yet? Easy to find?

Can't provide any first hand experience, but I have been mulling over buying one of these aluminum rads off fleabay: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/151271716443?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Mines not leaking yet, but give how hard it push my truck towing etc., a new rad probably would not hurt. Good price anyhow.

 

[Postoy]

I had a look at these rads... They dont look like the mount the same. And only 3 core. Stock they come with 4?. Thoughts?

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

I had a look at these rads... They dont look like the mount the same. And only 3 core. Stock they come with 4?. Thoughts?

From reading I've done, people who have bought these chinese aluminum rads have had to do minor mounting modifications too make them work. I think the main thing is to make sure the major dimensions are correct for the truck. With regard to core thickness, just measure yours, and compare it to the measurements in the ebay ad. I think the aluminum ones are the same or thicker.

 

[Holdfast]

I had my 4 core rad made by a local rad shop, was about $600 all installed. I second the temp/boost gauge - my digital gauge moves around a lot as the factory gauge sits in the same position. Moves from 197-205 on a regular basis as the factory gauge sits at just below half with my 88c stat.