Radiators 101 - there will be a test at the end

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MDarius

MDarius

I break stuff.
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I need a new radiator in my 97.

I checked yesterday and the FZJ80 radiators from my dealership are $500 without discounts. The 92-94 radiators are NLA.
edit: @beno confirmed the are still available.

There are a lot online ranging in price from $100 up to $1,000+.

I just wonder what's out there and price vs. Value and features.

I've read on here "go all aluminum", "go OEM (aluminum core with plastic tanks)", "get the fj80 radiator (brass core and I don't know what the top tank is made of)" and then people get brand loyal. I don't know what features make a quality radiator, other than it cools, it fits, and it doesn't leak.

Can anyone explain how to choose the right radiator for a given application? We all use our rigs differently. I imagine that an Arizona rig will need a different radiator than an Alaska rig and different than someone that crawls in the heat all day different than a daily driver that gets wheeled on occasional weekends. Am I wrong?

At 20+ years and most over 200k miles I think this is becoming a scheduled maintenance item almost.
 
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agree on the scheduled maintenance item sentiment...

maybe it's just my experience... prob just start replacing the radiator with an amazon koyo every 5 years or so...
 
I recently replaced my factory radiator in my 80 series with a Koyo radiator from an authorized seller on Amazon. Approximately 2 months in, it started leaking from the top of the tank. Neither the authorized seller nor Amazon were helpful to process a refund, at least at first. The seller wanted to do an exchange, understandably so, but that presents a lot of issues. I had to go through Koyo corporate and work with one of their reps to get refunded. My experience with corporate was fantastic, but the authorized seller and Amazon left something to be desired.

To make a long story short, I could have been hosed had I bought this radiator from a seller that was NOT an authorized seller for Koyo radiator (luckily I did my homework). Additionally, Koyo radiators are highly counter fitted if not from an authorized retailer so buyer beware.

For these reasons and the fact that shipping is a hassle for something so critical, I placed an order from my local dealership for their part.

Best of luck to anybody shopping for radiators. Unfortunately I got a bad one from a well respected and highly regarded aftermarket radiator manufacturer. On a side note: issues happen - it's how it's resolved that matters. Kudos to Koyo corporate.

Jack
 
MDarius said:
I need a new radiator in my 97.

I checked yesterday and the FZJ80 radiators from my dealership are $500 without discounts. The 92-94 radiators are NLA. There are a lot online ranging in price from $100 up to $1,000+.

I just wonder what's out there and price vs. Value and features.

I've read on here "go all aluminum", "go OEM (aluminum core with plastic tanks)", "get the fj80 radiator (brass core and I don't know what the top tank is made of, and NLA)" and then people get brand loyal. I don't know what features make a quality radiator, other than it cools, it fits, and it doesn't leak.

Can anyone explain how to choose the right radiator for a given application? We all use our rigs differently. I imagine that an Arizona rig will need a different radiator than an Alaska rig and different than someone that crawls in the heat all day different than a daily driver that gets wheeled on occasional weekends. Am I wrong?

At 20+ years and most over 200k miles I think this is becoming a scheduled maintenance item almost.
Click to expand...

Just bought one a month ago...still available

Radiator - Toyota (16400-66040)

2017-04-01 09.50.38.jpg
 
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Mdarius needs a radiator that could survive the Baja 1000.:steer:
 
If I were to have seen that OEM radiator for $300-ish last year, I would have got it. My Koyo has been working great, but I have to admit I don't have the confidence in it that I would have had if I went Toyota or yeah... Ron Davis! Most 80's I've seen have the stock radiator in them. For a radiator to last 20 years is pretty awesome. Worth spending the money if you've got it.
 
Jason hansen said:
Mdarius needs a radiator that could survive the Baja 1000.:steer:
Click to expand...

:rofl:;). Right? Thus the "use case" question. I might be a little hard on my stuff sometimes.
 
@beno, I'll bug you Monday on this. Thanks! It was my local dealership. First I asked for a 92, and when I asked for a 94 he said, "Yeah, same deal. NLA." This is the 4th problem like this I've had with this dealership.
 
Soooo how much is this Ron Davis radiator you speak of? All aluminum including tanks I assume? Have any pictures?

Honestly I hate plastic tanks. I've had 2 rad failures in my life and both were split tanks.....the type that you can't limp home on.
 
Kaninja said:
Soooo how much is this Ron Davis radiator you speak of? All aluminum including tanks I assume? Have any pictures?

Honestly I hate plastic tanks. I've had 2 rad failures in my life and both were split tanks.....the type that you can't limp home on.
Click to expand...

It's about $1000 and all aluminum including the fittings. It's a perfect fit with more fins and thicker core.

I have pics is one of my build threads.
 
If anyone knows about overheating it's @NLXTACY...

Personally, I'd buy an OEM radiator and be done.

For my 92 I just put in a CSF. The last one last about 8 years. The original lasted 17 years.
 
I had to replace the one on my '97 two years ago due to breaking the small nipple off the top tank. I went with an all metal one from CSF through a buddy's discount at CarQuest. I think it was about $375. If I had to do it again I'd go OEM.
 
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