radiator for 3fe fj80

[Roastchestnuts]

I made a trip to Greenville this weekend (4 hours from home) for a test for my job. On the ferry I noticed a drip from close to the power steering high pressure lines. I thought it was my high pressure line. (witch has been leaking too) Turns out its the radiator. it leaked out probably 2-3 cups. I toped the radiator off with some water at about half way to my destination but its back where it was when I noticed it. Recently replaced the thermostat (Not leaking) but I think that caused the 30 year old OEM tank to leak. I have two questions. Think Ill make it home if I stop every once in a while to fill up? second question whats the consensus on the CFS radiator? I purchased one seems like a good one. I wanted one that would last for my fj80 and you cant buy OEM anymore. I had one of these in my toyota truck.

 

[KennyBob]

I replaced mine with a csf a couple of years ago and had no problems with it. Sold it last year and it was still working as expected.

 

[Marco Lau]

Here is my opinion on the CSF: Stay away from the copper/brass units. I might have gotten a bad batch of CSF, but most review, including my own, had been hit or miss. I personally would avoid it as the CSF i put in to replace my OEM (blew @ 220k) gave me nothing but headaches (overheating) for 3 months of ownership. I replaced it with a Ron Davis (finally decided enough is enough) and had ZERO complaints (knock on wood) for over a year now. (Yes, i wheeled my rig in hot SOCAL climate) and the RD reduces my engine temp by ~+/- 10-15F across the board. It would run 210F on highway with the CSF, now i am at 187-190F. Off-pavement, night and day as well. just my .2

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Here is my opinion on the CSF: Stay away from the copper/brass units. I might have gotten a bad batch of CSF, but most review, including my own, had been hit or miss. I personally would avoid it as the CSF i put in to replaced my OEM (blew @ 220k) gave me nothing but headache (overheating) for 3 months of ownership. I replaced it with a Ron Davis (finally decided enough is enough) and had ZERO complaints (knocking on wood) for over a year now. (Yes, i wheeled my rig in hot SOCAL climate) and the RD reduces my engine temp by ~+/- 10-15F across the board. It would run 210F on highway with the CSF, now i am at 187-190F. Off-pavement, night and day as well. just my .2

Hey thanks. well good thing I found my csf from a friend for way cheeper than most. thanks for the insight. if it does not work out I can get a nicer one like a Ron Davis. turns out the radiator was the least of my worries.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

the radiator was the least of my worries.... This trip to Greenville from Ocracoke and back has been nothing but hell. I blew a break line on the way back. Its very unsettling when you have to stop at highway speeds and feel the breaks travel to the floor.... thank god for e brakes. and of course its a hard line section that runs beside the gas tank and frame rail almost the length of the fj80. turns out a half inch long section was rusty just in a spot where its not noticeable. Then at the auto zone (to get fluid so I could limp home) The car did the whole cranking cranking cranking cranking cranking.... it did not start. I did get 25 feet of break line but now the car refuses to start!. it was not the EFI fuse I have a spare. It started 30min later and I have no idea why it decided to. I had just found a tow service. The fuel pump is new. previous owner replaced it. and I can confirm it because I have been in the tank to replace the filter on the end. maybe fuel pressure regulator or the coil is not working? I am now sitting at the ferry crossing my fingers it will start again when it gets here. I blame Friday the 13th.