Champion Radiator Aluminum 3 core swap

I have been watching this thread for ever and was just about to pull out the plastic card/radiator and get the aluminum one.
Now I am skurd….

 

yeah, I'm reluctant also. maybe a custom radiator is worth the $ at this point...?

 

Well your choices are a custom one that has to cost 500 or more or have the Champion neck modified or live with an ugly filler.
Depends on how important engine temps are for your situation.

My temps are 185-190 all day long hot or cold outside

 

Did they say why it's over the edge?

 

“Can you please tell me where the fill neck is located on your original radiator? This fillneck is actually mounted in the correct place as I am not finding out depending on the part number you need.

This is the correct way this radiator should be made for the Tacoma, I just noticed how your photos did not look like the photo in the ad but Champion has changed this radiator to have the fill neck now match that of the original so it looks odd. Please let me know what you would like to do.”

Seems like “they” think the stock radiator has it off center too. I have yet to see a stock radiator that is off center and over the edge.

 

Maybe they figure with a little more surface area there'll be better cooling on these second run units lol. Might just fill up my $100 stock replacement and see what happens with all this.

 

@TacoJohn4x4

What seller are you quoting?

 

For me it’s not about engine temp. I want and NEED this radiator to give myself more clearance from the valance of my Apex bumper. For me to put on my skid plates it’s tricky because there’s not much room to bolt it to the valance. I have to loosely bolt on my valance to give me room to bolt on the skid plate, then tighten the valance.

I don’t have the photo or I would upload it. This is only because I have an AT and I have an AT because 1st gen double cabs only come in AT. AT radiator core are taller and hang down lower.

 

Champion radiator supply on eBay.

 

If that's the case, why not go with a 3rz denso radiator?

 

If it’s an OE spec replacement then it will be just as tall as the one I have now. The champion radiator is shorter, by 2”?, compare to mine. It’s also able to cool it to OE spec because it’s 3 rows while keeping it shorter.

 

3rz radiator have a shorter core, ~3" or so. It sit about an inch below the frame compared to ~4" on the v6.

 

But is it thick enough to keep my AT cool? That’s why AT has a taller radiator.

 

My replacement 3rz denso have the same core thickness as my factory v6 radiator, just a shorter core. I hope you're aware the AT cooler is literally a small section at the bottom of the radiator. V6 radiator are taller for a reason: higher towing capacity rating.

3RZ do come in automatic too and still use the smaller core.

Most of the guy i talk to on the trail with their solid axle tacoma run 3rz radiator for better clearance. They're running 37-40 inch tires on their v6 tacoma without engine heat issue.

But if the champion work for you, go for it. I figure there's cheaper option out there other then champion if heat is not an issue.

 

If they've really changed the design, and if I decide to keep mine, I'll need to change the cap to a round design for aesthetics.

Are radiator cap sizes pretty universal? If not, how can I tell what size the Champion radiator uses?

I'll want to go with something like this:

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-3-4-supercharger.543859/page-7#post-18121511

 

Yeah, I've read that post several times but I'm still not sure if radiator caps are universal. I assume they aren't since he didn't just reuse his OEM cap.

Also the CarQuest brand seems to be obsolete, so I can't get a diameter based on that part number.

 

I'd bring the one you have and go to a parts store then.

 

Thanks. That's my plan for this afternoon. I'm just trying to plan for the worst while I'm "working"

 

I just went to Advance Auto and they matched up the Champion radiator cap for size and pressure for
what they had in stock on the shelf. Radiator caps are not all universal in size. Any quality cap will fit
as long as the size is correct and pressure relief are the same as the champion cap.