Life expectancy of radiator

Is anyone experiencing radiator failure on their older Gen2's?
My '06 approaching 120K miles I thought about ordering a new Denso from Rockauto. It would be about $85 shipped compared to an emergency buy locally of $150-250. And that if it is in stock. Thanks

 

I had 351K miles on my original radiator for my ‘07 in the 11 years I owned it. No issues with it whatsoever.

 

The guy with 400,000 miles on his Taco (there's a thread on here about it) has the original radiator and water pump. Also has original starter, alternator, and fuel pump.

ETA:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/400-000-miles.404359/

 

Sounds great so far. Probably worrying for nothing but it doesn't hurt to ask!!!
As a proactive move I'd gladly pay $85 now instead of dealing with a dead pink milkshake induced transmission replaced for $2K. If they are that reliable I may take my chances.
Thanks, Rob

 

I'm at 200k and I've never even thought about the radiator on this truck.

 

Gotta be honest, I’ve driven a lot of older trucks (~200k), I have not replaced one.

 

It kinda goes both ways.. the plastic tanks like to crack. Yours is over 12 yrs old.

 

I can clearly remember helping a few friends replacing their older foreign made plastic/aluminum radiators. Maybe the source of my paranoia.
To wife: I need to spend $85 now instead of 2K+ later... if that works I can stop worrying. LOL
Thanks, Rob

 

My brother's 2003 Subaru WRX with 230,000 miles just had it's radiator replaced for the 2nd time. Different vehicle, I hope Tacoma radiators last longer. I've decided to pressure test mine periodically now.

 

I will say that $85 for a legit Denso replacement seems like pretty cheap insurance against being left stranded someplace. How hard is the radiator to replace? I may do that at the water pump at 200k.

 

I agree, 85 bucks is a pretty good deal on a denso rad. You'll be able to do the repair on your terms (ie, your own driveway, at your own pace) instead of beside the highway at 2am

 

I've gone through many vehicles but only really needed to replace radiators twice. One was on a 4Runner because the radiator cracked though it had other issues like a leaking HG.

Other time was on my 91K1500 because it wasn't cooling as well. Came to find out the radiator was clogged due to lack of maintenance from the previous owner.

If I was going to pull my Tacoma's radiator, I'd replace it with this. It gets hot in the desert.

 

Hmmm, NAPA wants $220 for a Denso

 

That was I was thinking, I like working on my truck in my driveway with all my tools handy!

 

A very good reason to order it from Rockauto.

 

In 40 years of driving and many, many, types of vehicles Ive only had to replace radiators for three reasons. Front end impact damage, plugged passages because of stray RTV sealant in the coolant system, and plastic Jeep Wrangler radiators that seem to crack for no reason. With remotely decent maintenance they arent exactly a wear item.

 

Sigh.. Napa used to be somethin!

Then the internet happened

 

I had to replace the radiator on my T-100 at about 208,000 miles. The seal between the aluminum and the plastic tanks went bad and started leaking a little. It wasn't catastrophic, I just started smelling coolant when I got out after driving for a while. Upon close inspection, I could see some weeping around the area where they were crimped together. When it got really cold, I would see a couple of drips on the ground but again, it wasn't losing much to speak of.
IF I were going to replace one as a preventive measure, I probably wouldn't touch it until 200,000.
But, that's just my opinion.

 

I wouldn't lose sleep over the radiator, but the hoses are more of a wear and tear item. Not to take the thread to far off topic , but dose anybody have a mileage point where the start thinking about replacing them?

 

My old 99 taco was such a piece of crap. 600k on the stock radiator and I run the truck into the back of a Camry and then it breaks. What a pile of junk