Champion Radiator Aluminum 3 core swap

What dimensions - I have my stock replacement that I can measure and provide tape measure pics of how it sits in the engine bay.

 

my truck is 3.4L auto and the plastic rad is puking from the top.
I am looking to see how much trimming of the fan shroud needs to occur and how close it is to the fan.
Also the mounting brackets, I am having trouble visualizing it so a photo there would assist.

The install seems pretty straight forward from this thread; photos would assist.

thanks in advance!

 

@TacoJohn4x4 - I purchased from the same Ebay account and it says they have a 60 day return policy. I purchased on Dec. 26 and was waiting to get more feedback before I made a decision. I don't understand why you have to ship it by the 14th? Who is paying the return shipping? How much did they offer for the partial refund?

 

@TacoJohn4x4 and @pullingin

There maybe some on here that might be willing to purchase your champion radiator from you, if you willing and open to that so you don't have to deal with Champion or eBay

 

They didn't offer a amount. First they told me they would send a replacement but they never did and then the run around started with very slow replies. I am going through the eBay option for return, it is pre-paid, so I'm guessing it's not coming from me. eBay states the return has to be done by the 14th or I might not be able to return after that day.

 

If you buy it off eBay you have 60 days or maybe 90 days to return it per eBay rules.

If you opened up a case with eBay which you did then you have a time line with eBay to return it.

Ebays policy’s is the seller pays for the return shipping

 

@TacoJohn4x4 Any update on your processing of the return or interaction with the ebay seller?

 

Haven’t had the time to drop it off at the post office yet. Prepaid shipping label already printed. Not too worry about it at this time since I went through eBay and paid with a CC.

I been doing some reading up on people who have done SAS conversion who used a 18” core single row radiator on an auto with 4wd and have had no problems. I might go that route instead since it would be $100 cheaper. I’m trying to find out how reliable that would be and if it would cost more in the long run.

I went back to look on Champion’s website and now they added “2WD ONLY” for that 95-04 Tacoma radiator. However they still have not undated their photo to show the new fill port location which they said they already did when I called Champion directly.

 

That different fill port location being off-center is the same as the Denso replacement radiator in my truck. I don't understand why it's such a big issue. The radiator will still function fine.

 

I've been burping mine - took forever I think since the engine had been completely empty for over a year and the heater core had been open to the atmosphere for that long as well. Dealing with a high idle issue at the moment and with the truck on jackstands running 2300 rpm temps remaining consistent at 183-4

 

Did you use the fill kit?
Should have been quick and easy
I use this kit and it makes everything soo quick and easy

 

You’re probably right. However the way it was done doesn’t look intended nor have they updated their photo to reflect that. So when you buy something and expect one thing and get another it kind of throws you off, off center.

 

I call Champion on Friday at 16:30 and George was like "a radiator is a radiator. just measure it, it will fit".

I will be ordering one tomorrow.

 

@TacoJohn4x4

Sorry let me post some pics

Essentially it's roughly 1.5" shorter.



I measured from the lower bolt hole and you can kind of see the radiator is almost flush with the lower edge of the frame.


@1997tacomav6

 

Well found out yesterday that my radiator is leaking once again.....
The first leak was the cap. No problem easy fix, but yesterday I was changing out my front diff oil and fount my skid plate was wet from coolant. I wiped down the radiator as much as I could and in mater of half hour there where more to wipe done. I dove it about 100 miles like this checking the coolant levels to see how much it drops and it dropped about 3/4'' in the reservoir tank. Sooooo my big question should I replace this with thier new design radiator with off set cap or have a local shop weld it up?

*the bottom hose is not the source of the leak. I traced the leak coming from bout 5th or 6th row from the bottom.

Pro for replacement:
If replacing it with champion radiators ill have to pay for shipping of new radiator and return of the old one ($60) (the pro in this is that it less then fixing it locally)
Con: Cap will be off set, and down time will be longer

Con for repair:
To have a shop fix the old on it will be ($100)
Pros: Short turnaround and get to keep the radiator with nice centered cap.

Or option 3 is go back to OEM
Con: buying whole new radiator. (+-$200)

On another note did anyone else notice that radiator is spec as only for 2wd?
When I bought it back in June that note wasn't on there?

 

Damn! just Damn!

 

I'd have that one fixed. That way they can pressure test it and ensure there are no other leaks. And the faster turnaround time. Price difference for a new one with a longer wait time, assuming they have any left, is negligible IMO.

 

Their website indicates is one left...

I just whipped out the

 

Just got off the phone with them and they are saying they have enough in stock to send one out right away.
But this would mean I need to pay for shipping and new radiator upfront ($274) and get the refund for radiator ($214) after they receive it and confirm leak.

 

LOL I hope you didn't get the one they where going to ship me