New radiator...CSF, Champion, ??? (1 Viewer)

[FJ62Landcruiser]

1989 FJ62 with 259K miles

My radiator has been leaking for the past year.

Apparently the leak is somewhere toward the top of the radiator because it only leaks out about 1/2 to 2/3 of a gallon of coolant.

It's my daily driver and I've been driving like that ever since.

I diligently monitor the temp gauge and it has never overheated but I won't drive it out of the county.

There's no place within 1 hour of me that repairs radiators.

I was finally getting ready to order a new radiator tonight off of eBay but would like some guidance.

I can't afford $500.00 for a new 4 core radiator.

Should I get a 3 core Champion aluminum or 3 core metal CSF?...is one better than the other?

I don't go mudding, trailing or crawling. My only off-roading is cruising the nearby beaches sometimes.

Thanks for your help.

Rod
Oriental, NC (Near Atlantinc Beach/Morehead City)

 

[FJ62Landcruiser]

Also...I forgot to mention that I assume it has the original radiator in it unless the PO replaced it with an OEM years ago. See pic.

Also...do I have to remove the brush guard or \can I get by with just removing the grill?

Thank You,

Rod

 

[MANUCHAO]

I have had bad luck with aluminum rad..
I say stick with OME or some thing close to that...

 

[Michael Hanson]

I have installed over a dozen CSF s no problem.Some now have 200,000 miles on them. Mike

 

[FJ62Landcruiser]

I just ordered a CSF model 2709.

Will the brush guard need to come off?

Sorry I need so much hand-holding on this.

Thank You,

Rod

 

[anp856]

I just ordered a CSF model 2709.

Will the brush guard need to come off?

Sorry I need so much hand-holding on this.

Thank You,

Rod

Most likely to get around the ac

 

[Spike Strip]

CSF is a very high-quality rad.

 

[jpeg]

you can get a new oem from cdan for under $400. and if it's gonna last you another 259k then it seems like a no brainer to me

 

[Bomar]

CSF is a very high-quality rad.

I wish mine would have been 28 months and less than 2k miles it was leaking...I was pissed

 

[NorCalBorn]

+1 for the CSF, I've installed a lot of them on all makes of Toyotas and their Copper/Brass is good. As for Bomar's experience, well, honestly there's always a small # of them either damaged in transit or just a fluke defect. If it was just that many miles I'd assume you were given a replacement under the warranty they have (basic's 1-2 year's IIRC)?

Heck, I got one on order recently for vipergrhd's 4Runner project just so I could have them in stock along with a few for the 60's and 80's.

 

[RockDoc]

you can get a new oem from cdan for under $400. and if it's gonna last you another 259k then it seems like a no brainer to me

No longer available.

My choice a couple of weeks ago was a good used OE unit from a local mudder. If that weren't available, I would have taken one of my tired OE rads to be rebuilt.

 

[jpeg]

No longer available.

really? i bought on just last june for my 88 and was planning to buy next month for my 89. are you sure on this?

 

[RockDoc]

really? i bought on just last june for my 88 and was planning to buy next month for my 89. are you sure on this?

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/537726-discontinued.html

 

[csd4682]

I have the Champion Aluminium rad and have been very happy with it so far. It def seems to make the truck run much cooler. I generaly run around 160 in the winter and closer to 170 in the summer. Sometimes a little higher when sitting in traffic on a 90 degree or higher day.

 

[NYNick]

You're gonna have to make that brush guard removal call yourself. It doesn't look like it'll get in the way, but the only way to find out is to start removing the grill.

I did the radiator job last year with a CSF. First radiator job for me. Not bad. CSF fit like a glove. Of course replace the hoses as well while you're at it.

Nick

 

[Michael Hanson]

Water pump age? Over 100,000 miles...Id do it too. MIke

 

[Bomar]

CSF would not honor warranty...

 

[NorCalBorn]

CSF would not honor warranty...

CSF, or the distributor you bought it through? Send reply via pm so this doesn't go too far off topic with what info I am wanting to get from you.

Shane

 

[Spike Strip]

I've installed 3 CSF FJ60 rads and all have preformed flawlessly. I did have one that came with a bent filler, but the dealer exchanged it.

Unfortunately, CSF no longer makes the FJ60-specific rad only a model that fits both 60/62.