Metal Heater T's versus Plastic Heater T's (1 Viewer)

[vanosmaster]

Hi All,

I am planning on replacing my heater T's (and the corresponding hoses) before an upcoming long road trip and wanted to ask if I should go with metal or plastic. I haven't really seen much discussion about the pros and cons of replacing them with metal. The only con I can think of is fitment issues but will the fitment be that bad to cause a leak?

I saw a kit on https://www.cruiserpatch.com/ that seems to contain all of the hoses with the metal upgrade for the heater T's. After pricing out everything with my dealer I dont see a big price discrepancy for all the hoses, clamps and the upgraded metal T's. Does anyone have any experience with this kit or know of any similar kit that can be recommended ?

I welcome all discussions and thank you in advance!

Thank you

 

[rexington14]

IMO don't over complicate it. I went with all new OEM plastic T's hoses and clamps and plan to replace the T's every 90k along with the timing belt service. If you order online today from Toyota you will get an extra 25% off the OEM parts which is significant if you plan to replace the hoses as well

 

[iliketrucks]

A part like that should last the life of the vehicle, isn't that part of the appeal of a toyota after all?

I think you should do metal, it sounds like the plastic ones have proven themselves to be inferior for many people. I wouldn't expect fitment issues since there's not a whole lot that can go wrong designing a part like this.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

there's a huge T's thread you can bump/add to vs. starting another one

 

[Mike NXP]

Hi All,

I am planning on replacing my heater T's (and the corresponding hoses) before an upcoming long road trip and wanted to ask if I should go with metal or plastic. I haven't really seen much discussion about the pros and cons of replacing them with metal. The only con I can think of is fitment issues but will the fitment be that bad to cause a leak?

I saw a kit on https://www.cruiserpatch.com/ that seems to contain all of the hoses with the metal upgrade for the heater T's. After pricing out everything with my dealer I dont see a big price discrepancy for all the hoses, clamps and the upgraded metal T's. Does anyone have any experience with this kit or know of any similar kit that can be recommended ?

I welcome all discussions and thank you in advance!

Thank you

Stick with OEM. the diameter is slightly different on the lower part of the T


Could do the hoses as well for not too much $$ and not have to worry about it for another 150K + miles.

You'll notice I ordered 8 of each clamp style. I wasn't sure what was needed but as mentioned the lower barb ( I think ) has a different diameter.

 

[cruisin4bruisins]

Ive had metal ones that I ordered on amazon in for 2 years now and they have worked great, It probably doesn't matter if you put plastic or metal in considering the plastic oem ones are good for 20 years lol the wheels will have fallen off and your goldfish will not be around in another 20 years so get whatever is cheapest

 

[RAMf1]

I figured if the OEM Plastic T's lasted almost 20 years it would be a safe bet to stay with OEM for the T's, hoses and clamps.

 

[vanosmaster]

there's a huge T's thread you can bump/add to vs. starting another one

Apologies I am new to the forums
Thank you for informing me !

 

[vanosmaster]

Stick with OEM. the diameter is slightly different on the lower part of the T


Could do the hoses as well for not too much $$ and not have to worry about it for another 150K + miles.

You'll notice I ordered 8 of each clamp style. I wasn't sure what was needed but as mentioned the lower barb ( I think ) has a different diameter.

Thank you very much for providing the part numbers, I am assuming the first 7 items of the picture you have posted were the T's and hoses. For the clamps did you notice a difference between the two part numbers?
Thanks,

 

[dubdub20003]

I just never understood the hysteria over these parts... on the most aggressive schedule, it is a $30 replacement every 5 years with other planned maintenance. It just isn't that big a deal. Change them when you buy, just to have solace, but after that every 90k miles. Sure, get metal if you like, but it isn't that big a deal.

 

[hotdawwgman]

Go with what ever your heart desires. I ran OEM because it was convenient for me when ordering new OEM Hoses.

 

[Mike NXP]

Thank you very much for providing the part numbers, I am assuming the first 7 items of the picture you have posted were the T's and hoses. For the clamps did you notice a difference between the two part numbers?
Thanks,

That's correct, and the bottom two line items were the two different sized clamps. I ordered 8 of each because I was unsure and my dealer told me they are all the same....but if you look close at the parts diagram you'll see they don't have part # for the bottom barb on the T. Those were the larger style clamps and the hoses were also thicker diameter.

I do believe the smaller size would have worked all around but there was a noticeable size difference

I'm pretty sure it went like this
96136-52101 - smaller size, QTY 8 needed for the horizontal part of the T
96316-42501 - larger size, QTY 4 needed for the lower part of the T

Not sure if this varies across models but I don't think it does.

 

[Jack90210]

That's correct, and the bottom two line items were the two different sized clamps. I ordered 8 of each because I was unsure and my dealer told me they are all the same....but if you look close at the parts diagram you'll see they don't have part # for the bottom barb on the T. Those were the larger style clamps and the hoses were also thicker diameter.

I do believe the smaller size would have worked all around but there was a noticeable size difference

I'm pretty sure it went like this
96136-52101 - smaller size, QTY 8 needed for the horizontal part of the T
96316-42501 - larger size, QTY 4 needed for the lower part of the T

Not sure if this varies across models but I don't think it does.

It's actually the other way around, I'm pretty sure -- the bottom part of the T has a smaller clamp IIRC. I can look up the part number since I just did this job last month.

FWIW I prefer to use OEM tees in order to guarantee fitment/compatibility for use of OEM constant-tension clamps. Using metal tees that require one to use wormgear clamps just introduces weaknesses/failure points.

EDIT: The Cruiser Patch kit should have no compatibility issues and should work a treat; if you want steel tees that is the way to go (and not with a hardware store SAE-sized tee).

 

[Mike NXP]

It's actually the other way around, I'm pretty sure -- the bottom part of the T has a smaller clamp IIRC. I can look up the part number since I just did this job last month.

View attachment 3611343

s***, good point. I was going off the parts diagrams in regards to part # and quantity, but I can't recall which was larger.


I'm not totally sure which was which, best I can say is that parts list I copied above looks accurate and the sizes do vary. It will be made clear to you when doing the install

 

[Jack90210]

The part number for the smaller clamp is 90467-19022, as best as I can tell.

For future searches: Heater Tee Hose Clip Clamp Part Number UZJ

 

[Mike NXP]

The part number for the smaller clamp is 90467-19022, as best as I can tell.

For future searches: Heater Tee Hose Clip Clamp Part Number UZJ

View attachment 3611369

Interesting, a more complete parts blowout with the lower clamp part number listed. Actually this blowout confuses things even more as it shows 3 different clamps listed. Unless I am tripping I see:
*19022 - used on the lower part of the T
*42100 - used at the mids
*52101 - used at the firewall / heater core and on the left side of the T.

Weird

I suppose this all just translates to, check your vin and double check part #s. I can assure the parts list I posted will work on a 02 LC .

 

[Luke M]

I just installed the Autotecnica metal heater tees TY0617365-PRM from Cruiserpatch on my 2000 LC100. I reused the factory hoses and clamps. The metal T looked identical to the factory plastic OEM Toyota T. No leaks, no complaints. For the small price difference it was a no brainer.

 

[77pantera]

Just installed the TY0617365-PRM's and I can confirm, just like everyone else says, the smaller part of the T has a smaller OD than the factory plastic ones. With the factory clamps and hoses I had a pretty good seep from the bottom. With new hoses and clamps maybe it would be ok, but not with used stuff. Worm gears fixed it, but it's still annoying.

 

[AARONTLC]

Just installed the TY0617365-PRM's and I can confirm, just like everyone else says, the smaller part of the T has a smaller OD than the factory plastic ones. With the factory clamps and hoses I had a pretty good seep from the bottom. With new hoses and clamps maybe it would be ok, but not with used stuff. Worm gears fixed it, but it's still annoying.

I have been running the metal T’s from Cruiser Patch for about 3 months and they are fine. I personally think the plastic OEM T’s are fine as long as they are changed on time. Why I bought the metal ones? Hell I don’t know. Maybe because they were more expensive. Lol!