New Radiator Questions - Aluminum?

Current carrier bearing is long since done, so not really optional. As for the transmission flush, not really that big of a deal for the flush may or may not do the filter. My 4x4 swap is likely 1-2 years away, so want to do all the normal maintenance (trans fluid swap is likely due) up until I get the wifely approval for the funds to start the swap.

 

Do the stock wheels fit after the Tundra brake swap? I'd prefer to not need to buy new rims in addition to the brakes.

 

They could have hit it on something... but just as likely, they could have installed it wrong. Or it may not have been balanced properly. There's a number of things that can go wrong (that could also go wrong with putting in a new 2 piece).

 

Here's mine after the swap with stock wheels.

 

Thanks man, sorry for all the stupid questions. Like I've said in some other threads, I'm not much of a mechanic (yet). So I'm trying to learn how to do stuff along the way, and it involves asking a lot of probably stupid questions.

 

You haven't asked any stupid questions brother. What you are asking is exactly what TW is for

 

Depending on how bad it was when your radiator split, you may consider having a shop run a leak down test on your cylinders. My radiator blew in march and it looks like it may have damaged two of my cylinders and/or the head gasket
.
I ended up getting whatever radiator they had at auto zone as I was starting a new job the following Monday (blew on a Saturday). All in all, it wasn't too bad to replace it. If I had more time I would have looked for an aluminum replacement.

 

Mines look like this, confirmed too.

 

true. What do you mostly do with your tacoma? What have you done to your single drive shaft since you got it?

 

I don't have a single piece yet. As I said earlier, I am debating doing a single piece as part of my 4x conversion since I already will have to (at very least) replace the front portion of my rear drive shaft to convert to 4x.

 

Pretty sure the front piece can be found.

 

I been waiting for the champion radiator for months now as well. Only reason I want to change mine out is because it’s shorter and will fit better on my all pro bumper. It will give me more clearance away from the bumper valance and have easier access to my all pro skid plate bolts. Keep in mind I have an AT 4x4 which have the tallest radiator. Manual wouldn’t have this problem.

I wish we could just order it from the actual manufacturer overseas. Champion is waiting for their container. Containers usually take 4-6 months, especially for a small business, and that’s if they filled their container. If they are short on orders that container isn’t going to ship. This is why they don’t have a good ETA or why they keep on pushing back the ETA by months.

 

The stock Tundra wheels are the same used on the Tacoma. And the OffRoad version of the Tundra wheel along with the 17 Limited are the same BS and offset (close anyway)

 

My cylinders all seem fine. I never overheated with this just noticed a small leak when checking under the hood constantly. I knew something was wrong, because coolant doesn't disappear, so I always was careful when driving the taco. Had to top off a few times before the leak got larger until I could see it with my eyes.

Also, this thread is a great ADD thread, moving from a radiator to everything else that moves on a truck. love it. pop some ritalin boys!

 

I had a Champion installed back in April & it cracked last week...mid-January was the earliest they said they would have a replacement.

 

My experience with Chinese motorcycle radiators was poor. I don't want to do it again.

There was a guy producing quality radiators for my bike but they were about 600 bucks with all that welding. I would expect to see about the same price on a good one for a truck.

 

That sucks - they've been telling me mid-December since September - I'd get it welded if you could - where did it crack by the way?

 

That sucks, call the company because depending where you got it it has a lifetime warranty against cracks from Champion
For the original owner

https://shop.championcooling.com/warranty

 

I stalled mine a few months back. Love it! The only issue is the oem lower radiator hose doesn’t line up but the write up of the install that can be found on here addresses that with the correct part #

 

Did you have it sitting around before installing it or did you find a NOS lying around?