Well, it could be worse....

[Flagslack]

So the other day as I was preparing to jack my baby up to start working on the wheel bearings, I realized I needed a tool I didn't have. I drove two miles, returned, climbed under the vehicle, and discovered a fair quantity of coolant all over the place. AT LEAST I had the good luck to discover it in my driveway AND before the snowy season (though I don't have much time....).

The radiator is leaking all along the top - it suddenly and completely died. However, being OEM with 180,000 miles on it, I'm more impressed than dismayed!

Anyway, I'm wondering if there is anything I should take care of during the replacement that I haven't though of. (All I could really think of is the thermostat, hoses are apparently quite new). Just changed the belts too.

Beyond the thermostat, is there anything else I should do while I've got the room? What about the transmission cooler? Also, anybody have a good source for a radiator? I'm looking at this one right now : <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-RADIATOR-1-QUALITY-SERVICE-PLEASE-COMPARE-OUR-RATINGS-4-5-L6-/130600023989?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1997%7CModel%3ALand+Cruiser&hash=item1e685e37b5&vxp=mtr">Radiator<a/>
It's cheap and comes with a lifetime warranty... but I'd rather go a bit more expensive and never have to worry about it breaking ever.

Thanks in advance for your ideas!

 

[Flagslack]

Oops, here's the link to that Radiator! Apparently HTML has changed on me....

 

[Flagslack]

Ok, don't mean to flood this thing with posts, but I just found this one, which I assume would be a much better choice (since it's Koyo).

1997 Toyota Land Cruiser Radiator - Koyo Cooling

Well, off I go to begin the flush and disassembly... gotta do SOMETHING

 

[94SRUNNER]

There are tons of threads on this very topic that cover "what else to do in there" type info.

But, you are wise to swap the thermostat, and all hoses, not just the three mains. I always prefer sticking with OEM parts. Don't forget the PHH, it will be a good time to swap out or do the by-pass replacement. Additionally, think about swapping out the heater control valve as they can be very degraded with the amount of miles as you have on you 80. How is your fan clutch? That is another part to take into consideration given your rigs age/mileage. Chances are your water pump is still good, but take a look at it.

Whatever brand radiator you end up going with, make sure that is has the foam seal on the front side.

Good luck and don't forget the search function and the FAQ are your friend!

 

[arndog123]

I'd do the oil pump and crank seal if you haven't already done them. Replacing the alternator brushes and power steering hoses come to mind also.

 

[Offroads4x4]

Fan clutch/blue fan upgrade. PHH clean all electrical connections you can get to and fill them with Dielectric grease to help water proof and help make better connections.

 

[Flagslack]

So here's what I plan on doing:

New Koyo radiator
New hoses for the whole cooling system (should I get this kit from CruiserDan?)
New T-stat and o-ring
Drain and refill fan clutch
PHH workaround from 1fzfephh.com
New heater valve and the two hoses on the left side of it (hoses from 1fzfephh.com as well)

I'm definitely leaking from my oil pump cover as well... balls. New cover o-ring and crank seal, then? The only issue is that this is going to be my DD come snow time... and that's soon. Well, better bust it out then. I might let the power steering hoses slide for now since I'm already way in over my head

So, am I still missing anything critical? (I feel this is a very dangerous question to ask....)

 

[PoorHouse]

Just posted up the same thing - facepalm.

Looks like we came up with the same list.


Good luck.

 

[Flagslack]

Haha well good luck to you too. And don't facepalm too hard... I figure there isn't a question imaginable that hasn't been asked at least twice per month since the forum started.

 

[1shot1kill]

Don't let the power steering hoses slide I did and at 200k, as I was climbing to top of Lookout Mt. at almost 8k feet I lost my steering. It was a to come back down and close the system to get back home. Now, I am doing the hoses, thermo, fan clutch, and water pump. We have a baby on the way who will go with us in the LC and don't want to have this type of failure due to letting things "slide". I did bearings, brakes, rotors, tune-up and all other hoses 6 months ago.

 

[Sam Stewart]

So here's what I plan on doing:

New Koyo radiator
New hoses for the whole cooling system (should I get this kit from CruiserDan?)
New T-stat and o-ring
Drain and refill fan clutch
PHH workaround from 1fzfephh.com
New heater valve and the two hoses on the left side of it (hoses from 1fzfephh.com as well)

I'm definitely leaking from my oil pump cover as well... balls. New cover o-ring and crank seal, then? The only issue is that this is going to be my DD come snow time... and that's soon. Well, better bust it out then. I might let the power steering hoses slide for now since I'm already way in over my head

So, am I still missing anything critical? (I feel this is a very dangerous question to ask....)

I have a hose kit for $128.89. Usually the hoses, thermo, and water pump are good to do together. If you're going to have the coolant drained it makes sense. Everything else is up to you. The "while you're in there" stuff is subjective. There is always more stuff you could do while you're in there. It just really depends on how deep you want to go and how much $$$ you want to spend.

 

[Delancy]

List as provided by the Shaman

16400-66040 Radiator (Brass Core)
16573-66010 Radiator Hose
16571-66030 Radiator Hose
16572-66021 Radiator Hose
16267-66020 Water Hose
99555-10200 Water Hose
16264-66021 Water Hose
162261-66040 Water Hose
90916-03117 Thermostat
16346-66020 Thermostat Gasket
16210-66020 Coupling

I can't recall if it was 1fzfephh or AJIK, but sourced the torx head oil pump cover screws and bushing from one of, when purchasing the PHH/FHH (from 1fzfephh.com) and heater control valve/constant tension clamps for entire cooling system from AJIK.

 

[Sam Stewart]

List as provided by the Shaman

16400-66040 Radiator (Brass Core)
16573-66010 Radiator Hose
16571-66030 Radiator Hose
16572-66021 Radiator Hose
16267-66020 Water Hose
99555-10200 Water Hose
16264-66021 Water Hose
162261-66040 Water Hose
90916-03117 Thermostat
16346-66020 Thermostat Gasket
16210-66020 Coupling

I can't recall if it was 1fzfephh or AJIK, but sourced the torx head oil pump cover screws and bushing from one of, when purchasing the PHH/FHH (from 1fzfephh.com) and heater control valve/constant tension clamps for entire cooling system from AJIK.

Might as well do the heater hoses... My list (hoses only):

99556-30100 X3
12261-66021
12262-66021
87245-60340
16264-66021
16261-66040
16267-66020
16573-66010
16571-66030
16572-66021
99555-10200
87245-60480
87245-60350

 

[Flagslack]

So here's where I stand - and everything's ordered

Koyo radiator
All cooling and heating hoses minus the four involved in the PHH and front heater from CDan
T-stat and o-ring
Fancy blue colored fan clutch
PHH workaround and front heater hoses from 1fzfephh.com, all with constant tension clamps (also getting the Torx set for the oil pump cover after reading many horror stories.
Oil pump cover o-ring and crank seal


Radiator, fan clutch, and some hoses removed yesterday and system half flushed (Still have to do the heaters, and get to that engine drain plug. Guess I'll get the Prestone T to make things easy) So I guess today I'll just be cleaning the block around the oil pump cover to make things easy for when the parts come in and checking any other hose I can get my hands on.

By the way, this whole thing came up while I was starting to do my wheel bearings and seals, and now I'm feeling very frazzled. What happened to my fully-functioning cruiser from last week?? The engine compartment is empty and the rear is jacked up with no wheels on it! The little guy in the back of my head is screaming "you're a novice, stupid, get out while you still can!"

Unrelated question with regards to the rear wheel bearings: I just got off the hub flange and was surprised to discover a thin, greenish oil pouring out of it. I assume this is the 90wt from the axle/differential and that my inner axle seal has failed? It's pretty dirty looking stuff too - should I pull the axle, wipe it off, button the hub back up with new seals and gasket, and drain and refill the diff with 90wt?

 

[Flagslack]

By the way, thanks for all the part numbers and other suggestions! Your input does not go unappreciated

 

[Delancy]

The little guy in the back of my head is screaming

Tell him to shut up.

 

[Flagslack]

He says, "Well don't come crying to me when you get this thing towed to the dealership after you F* it all up."

What a pessimist. But then there's the other voice in the back of my head saying "...maybe he's a realist...."

Well the cooling system doesn't have me too worried, but I am still a bit freaked about that rear axle... any thoughts, anyone? I'd like to get it done today so it's all finished up when the radiator and other stuff arrives, but I don't want to continue to remove things if I'm going to have a real problem that I can't solve by riding my bike to Autozone for something simple like gear oil....

 

[Delancy]

I can't answer, rationally, because the little guy in my head says "while you're there, might as well refresh/ rebuild it ALL", which I typically do.

The rear axle seals have several part numbers, I believe due to Toyota changing the new OE rear axles, enlarging 1mm in diameter, so may be careful ordering from anyone outside of the Mud community.

 

[Flagslack]

Hmm... Well I got my bearing kit from Man A Fre so I'm going to assume I'm all set. And now that various house-chore necessities have been taken care of - time to solve the mystery of the funny green gear oil!

...But it's just so disheartening to know that even one I button up the hubs and have nice fresh grease and beautiful new bearings that I'M STILL GOING TO BE MISSING A RADIATOR

So this is where I become a PM addict. I have seen the light

 

[Delancy]

Hmm...
So this is where I become a PM addict. I have seen the light

The biggest step is admission.

After that, it's easier to disregard rational thought and start the spending spree, all for the sake of refurbishing what's arguably the pinnacle of simplicity, durability, and capability in 4wd automotive design.

Yes, I have issues.