What radiator to replace original?

[Tools R Us]

You should find one with a proven reputation of lasting 2+ decades and hundreds of thousands of miles.

TRad

Some of the original radiators lasted a couple of decades, most didn't. What assurance is there that a new one bought today is substantially the same, may or may not last as long as one made a couple of decades ago? The one in my FJ40 lasted ~30yrs, if I were buying a new one today, wouldn't expect it to last half that long, if that.

Assuming that it would be the same, would be believing they ignored a couple of decades of tech, manufacturing and regulation advances/changes. On the aluminum side lots has been learned, if they still make them with 20yr old tech, that explains why some aftermarket units out cool them.

At one time I would have fully agreed that copper is the only way to go, but now aluminum out performs it by a large margin. Lots of things have changed, one of the big things is coolant. Nothing has been sold with a copper radiator in what 25yrs, so why would coolant makers care about them? The answer is they don't, the newer stuff is heavy biased towards protecting aluminum, at a life expense for copper/solder.

Recently, have had three relatively new radiators die. Two Koyo, quickly, easily replaced under warranty. One TRad, it was just out of warranty (IIRC 1yr WTF), so got the tough luck reply from Toyota. I now see all radiators as disposable, don't see the point in repairing them. The only time I would run a copper is for a full nut and bolt restoration, first choice is aluminum/plastic. My rig has a TYC, when it takes a dump, will get another, at ~$125, toss it in the recycle and have a new core.

Not saying the TRad is bad, just don't see it as all of that, not worth paying up for, especially considering the s*** warranty. If they have faith that it's a couple decade unit, why the brief warranty?

 

[OGBeno]

Not saying the TRad is bad, just don't see it as all of that, not worth paying up for, especially considering the s*** warranty. If they have faith that it's a couple decade unit, why the brief warranty?

Because all Toyota OEM parts warranty is 1 year/unlimited miles. Don’t matter the part or what Toyota keiretsu company manufactured the part.

 

[Tools R Us]

Csf makes good radiators, lifetime warranty

IIRC, from the last one that took a dump, 2yr limited warranty. It out lasted the warranty, so there is that.

 

[DirtScaresMe]

Some people perfer the all metal rads because they can be repaired easier/cheaper than oem plastic tank with aluminum fins. I'm also not a fan of the crimp on plastic tanks. I've never seen a factory one leak but I have seen multiple aftermarket ones leak brand new

That's my point though. There are these theoretical reasons why the oem ones aren't good but they have an incredible service record.

 

[Kernal]

I'm going through this decision matrix myself; one 80 has a newish all metal 93-94 Toyota radiator(courtesy of the PO), the other has the original aluminum with plastic tanks. That one has a crack in the top tank I've been nursing for a year with multiple layers of epoxy and fiberglass cloth (because I'm a cheap/busy bastid), but it hasn't xploded yet .

Both seem to cool fine in Florida weather (but no hills).

I'm leaning toward a new OEM TRAD plastic hoping I'll get another 20 years out of it??

 

[DirtScaresMe]

I'm going through this decision matrix myself; one 80 has a newish all metal 93-94 Toyota radiator(courtesy of the PO), the other has the original aluminum with plastic tanks. That one has a crack in the top tank I've been nursing for a year with multiple layers of epoxy and fiberglass cloth (because I'm a cheap/busy bastid), but it hasn't xploded yet .

Both seem to cool fine in Florida weather (but no hills).

I'm leaning toward a new OEM TRAD plastic hoping I'll get another 20 years out of it??

You probably will. All of the "better" radiators are on a hope and a prayer that they'll have even close to the longevity of the "crappy" oem.

 

[ewillis]

Mine lasted 24 years. Replaced as PM...no need to overthink which route to go