Radiator Replacement - Flush Question

[ToothDr]

What brand of radiator did you buy? CSF? TYC? TYG? Koyo? I am astounded that people want a toyota stamp on the new radiator. I hear it every single day, it gets old. Toyota doesn't make the radiator, just like they don't make the a/c compressor. It's outsourced. Once a period of time passes, the contract expires and the original manufacturer can market the part as aftermarket. Koyo is a good replacement radiator for all Toyota vehicles with plastic aluminum radiators, high end shops prefer them. Don't throw away the grommets.

Clean your condenser while you have the rad out.

Why would you be surprised that people would want replace their old radiator with a high quality OEM part??
I think for most people in the 80's forum it's about quality and durability of parts. When I had to replace the original radiator in my 93 that lasted 17 years I went with the same OEM Trad radiator. Why? Because of a proven track record in the 80 series.
People here have had good luck with the Koyo rads as well.
CSF rads, well that's a different story.

 

[harrydunn]

Radiator is done. Fit very well. I've got it full of distilled water and will get it warm and flush/drain in the morning and check for leaks. Started the engine tonight but couldn't get it hot enough to circulate (didn't have headlights in so couldn't go for a drive). Managed to bust a low-beam bulb somehow in the process...or it was just a huge coincidence that it went out during this repair.

 

[TX Cruiser]

Why would you be surprised that people would want replace their old radiator with a high quality OEM part??
I think for most people in the 80's forum it's about quality and durability of parts. When I had to replace the original radiator in my 93 that lasted 17 years I went with the same OEM Trad radiator. Why? Because of a proven track record in the 80 series.
People here have had good luck with the Koyo rads as well.
CSF rads, well that's a different story.

For your sake I hope Denso made you a good radiator. I wouldn't put that stuff back in my car or yours. I sell a lot of replacement radiators and compressors for cars that originally had Denso in there. I don't trust their stuff anymore, given their recently proven track record. Denso has slipped tremendously since 2000 or so.

Good call on the Koyo.

 

[ToothDr]

The OEM radiator for the 93 FZJ80 is made by a company called T.Rad. Built in Japan.

Congrats on the install. What type of hose clamps did you end up using??

 

[harrydunn]

Went with the OEM clamps. No leaks. Flush/fill #1 complete. #2 coming this afternoon. Have to watch the Mizzou game first.

 

[94SRUNNER]

Did you reuse? Or did you buy new? (hose clamps)

 

[harrydunn]

Old clamps looked fine so I reused them. No problems thus far. I like the idea of the constant-torque clamps but I can't justify the cost. Really pleased with the fit and finish of the Koyo unit. It has 11/4/10 stamped on it so I'm assuming that is the production date. I ordered it on the 7th. Could mean something else I suppose.

 

[harrydunn]

Pulled the tanks off.

Scrapyard said they'd give me $1.58/lb. if I popped off the tanks and brackets, so that gave me a good excuse to crack it open ($1.58 x ??? lbs. = ??? $). Obviously, the PO did not have regular flushes performed! This is the worst section. The rest of the tubes were fairly clear but I feel much better with the new radiator installed. Quite a bit of sludge/sediment in the bottom tank as well, as you would expect. I'd say there are quite a few radiators running around that look like this or worse, even with regular flushes if the PO had not flushed it much. When they are this gunked up, I doubt a flush is going to make it squeaky clean and no, I do not use Toyota red, as you can see. Neither did the PO--he used some sort of nasty, brown-colored coolant. I made my own well-informed decision regarding what coolant I wanted to use after reading about 8,000 posts on the matter.

Let's not get started with that debate.

 

[94SRUNNER]

To each there own on what consumables to use...but it is a good thing you took care of this...it could have caused quite the hassel down the road.

Well done

 

[harrydunn]

I'm glad it happened when it did--2 miles from home. Can't beat that.

 

[dranven]

I just got a KoyoRad as well - same one. My radiator just died and I pulled it out last night. The new Koyo looks really nice. I haven't put it in yet as I need to do some other maintenance first. Good job! Mine also died 2 miles from home.

 

[harrydunn]

It will slide right in for you on a '93-'94. Leave the brackets on each side a little loose however to make it easier to get the vertical bolts started. I kept the corrugated cardboard over the radiator fins until I had the fan and shroud back into position to minimize damage from a slipped wrench.

 

[dranven]

Good info, thanks!
I have a '97 but I read it will be just the same.

 

[harrydunn]

I believe you're right. "Something" is different with the '95-'97's, but everything fits up.

 

[harrydunn]

One-Year Update

Just wanted to update that all is still well with the Koyo. Here's to the next 12 months.

I would recommend this rad. to anybody who doesn't want to $pend the buck$ on OEM.

--Mark