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Champion Radiator Aluminum 3 core swap

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by 1997tacomav6, Apr 12, 2018.

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HAS YOUR CHAMPION RADIATOR CORE FAILED?

  1. Radiator core failed 5k

    4 vote(s)
    10.8%
  2. Radiator core failed 10k

    4 vote(s)
    10.8%
  3. Radiator core failed 15k

    1 vote(s)
    2.7%
  4. Happy with radiator?

    18 vote(s)
    48.6%
  5. Radiator defect when new?

    5 vote(s)
    13.5%
  6. Radiator failed after 25k

    5 vote(s)
    13.5%
  1. Jan 14, 2019 at 12:10 PM
    #261
    xtremewlr

    xtremewlr Well-Known Member

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    Totaly get yours fixed. Screw waiting for the new one and having to shell out that cash and wait for them to refund it.
     
    BlackPearl[QUOTED] likes this.
  2. Jan 14, 2019 at 12:21 PM
    #262
    Yetimetchkangmi

    Yetimetchkangmi Well-Known Member

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    Napa Part number for this one is SER 24680

    upload_2019-1-14_12-21-10.jpg
     
  3. Jan 14, 2019 at 12:22 PM
    #263
    Yetimetchkangmi

    Yetimetchkangmi Well-Known Member

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    ARB front locker, Custom high clearance rear bumper, Custom plate front bumper, mile marker winch PE8, safari snorkel, Deck Plate Mod Fox 2.5 rr DSC, Camburg UCA, squeaky Dakar leafs, 5125 10" and custom 7.5" shackles, thee finest PNW pinstripes, MT-R, Nissan crew cab roof rack??? wtf is that about??? Allpro skids, Rigid duallys President McKinley CB with PA Recaro SRD with Wedge Engineering Morimoto retrofits Champion Rad - Failed Tundra brakes
    I called Champion on Friday and spoke to "George" and he stated that on Friday, they had 4 or 5 on the shelf...

    my reply of 2 was from Amazon fulfilled by Jegs.
     
    BlackPearl[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Jan 14, 2019 at 1:14 PM
    #264
    TacoJohn4x4

    TacoJohn4x4 Captain Save-A-Ho

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    Their customer service is questionable. You can buy a new one from them on eBay for $216 shipped. You can return your old one using the packaging from the new one and it would be cheaper than $50. They will get full credit from the manufacture when they submit their claim.

    They probably added the 2WD only so if you told them your truck is 4wd they can decline your warranty. Sucks for the ones who bought it before they added that statement.

    You can get a different radiator from around $100-$150, single row. SAS conversions have been around for a long time and they use single row 18” core just fine. Champion radiator has been out for a year now? So their track record is not proven at least for the Tacoma.

    Whatever you decide to do keep us updated and I hope it works for you. Good luck.
     
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    BlackPearl[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Jan 14, 2019 at 1:56 PM
    #265
    BlackPearl

    BlackPearl Well-Known Member

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    3” lift. Sway a ways 2.5 on 285 75 16 and much more
    Do you mean to buy a new radiator on ebay and then ask for a refund / return sayin I got a used broken one? Sounds like scamming the system. I like the sound of that lol jk.
    And yes the warranty say its voided if truck has been off road.
    Ill keep you guys updated on what way I end up going.
     
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  6. Jan 14, 2019 at 2:20 PM
    #266
    Yetimetchkangmi

    Yetimetchkangmi Well-Known Member

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    ARB front locker, Custom high clearance rear bumper, Custom plate front bumper, mile marker winch PE8, safari snorkel, Deck Plate Mod Fox 2.5 rr DSC, Camburg UCA, squeaky Dakar leafs, 5125 10" and custom 7.5" shackles, thee finest PNW pinstripes, MT-R, Nissan crew cab roof rack??? wtf is that about??? Allpro skids, Rigid duallys President McKinley CB with PA Recaro SRD with Wedge Engineering Morimoto retrofits Champion Rad - Failed Tundra brakes
    Interesting... what is the point then???
    My truck has been off-roaded and will continue to be off-roaded.
     
    BlackPearl[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Jan 14, 2019 at 2:23 PM
    #267
    BlackPearl

    BlackPearl Well-Known Member

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    3” lift. Sway a ways 2.5 on 285 75 16 and much more
    Just don't tell the warranty department when you place a claim and you'll be good.
     
  8. Jan 14, 2019 at 2:24 PM
    #268
    Yetimetchkangmi

    Yetimetchkangmi Well-Known Member

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    ARB front locker, Custom high clearance rear bumper, Custom plate front bumper, mile marker winch PE8, safari snorkel, Deck Plate Mod Fox 2.5 rr DSC, Camburg UCA, squeaky Dakar leafs, 5125 10" and custom 7.5" shackles, thee finest PNW pinstripes, MT-R, Nissan crew cab roof rack??? wtf is that about??? Allpro skids, Rigid duallys President McKinley CB with PA Recaro SRD with Wedge Engineering Morimoto retrofits Champion Rad - Failed Tundra brakes
    Agreed.

    So the $hitty plastic OEM one is good enough to "off-road" with, why not Champion? I must be missing something...
     
  9. Jan 14, 2019 at 3:27 PM
    #269
    1997tacomav6

    1997tacomav6 [OP] V6 5sp,RegCab,TVS1320 Supercharger,Haltech, 800k

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    97 reg cab, v6 5sp 300hp supercharged, Methonal Injection, 800,001 plus miles, Original Owner
    V6 5sp,RegCab,TVS1320 Supercharger, 56mm pulley, methanol injected Haltech ECU, AC Tvs1320 supercharger,(MUST DO) every 125,000- 150,000 needs rebuild Projector headlights HID 5 speed manual Amsoil for all drive train Smaller 56mm custom pulley, (MUST DO) 2004 DESNO fuel injectors, zero ping ping, 2004 side door mirrors Dick Cepek Rims, Michelin tires LTX, ATM Pathfinders Dynopro ATM ( that last 100,000 miles) Now running Dynopro ATM mud and snow tires KN cold air intake Cat back dual exhaust with ss exhaust tip, Raised exhaust tail pipe to 2" below body line Optima*dry cell battery,red top Alpine sirius radio, 200 watt amp, focal is165 split door pod speakers Focal door speakers Subwoffer behind seat Viper alarm, Electric Locks Dark tinted windows, bucket seats corbeau lg1 Tacoma Rubber floor mats TRD fender extenders, Bilstien shocks, King shocks JBA UCA trailer iv hitch, electric brake control, Drilled slotted brakes, High carbon steel (MUST DO) EBS green stuff 7000 series pads(MUST DO) TRD engine oil cap TRD stick shift, Marlin crawl shift kit. Rear sliding window 2002 4Runner functional hood scoop cut into Tacoma hood, 4Runner dual overhead map light Gentex Auto dim + Compass + Temp, garage,rearview mirror Snow Methonal kit stage 2 Custom 3 core aluminum radiator Linex bed liner Haltech stand alone ECU, Intake supercharger gauge. Stainless steel brake lines, Custom leather wrapped steering wheel, Haltech stand-alone ECU,
    The OEM shitty plastic radiators are just that,
    They are shitty, Ive gone through 4 of them in 500,000 miles.

    But at 125-150 they are disposable,

    Anything is better than the single core plastic OEM radiator that's my two cents and of course wouldn't be any difference running it off-road I wouldn't think
    My temps run 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the OEM radiator

    I could live with the offset filler neck to gain the difference in cooling power.
    25,000 miles on my radiator, no issues
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2019
    xtremewlr and Dalandser like this.
  10. Jan 14, 2019 at 5:08 PM
    #270
    Yetimetchkangmi

    Yetimetchkangmi Well-Known Member

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    ARB front locker, Custom high clearance rear bumper, Custom plate front bumper, mile marker winch PE8, safari snorkel, Deck Plate Mod Fox 2.5 rr DSC, Camburg UCA, squeaky Dakar leafs, 5125 10" and custom 7.5" shackles, thee finest PNW pinstripes, MT-R, Nissan crew cab roof rack??? wtf is that about??? Allpro skids, Rigid duallys President McKinley CB with PA Recaro SRD with Wedge Engineering Morimoto retrofits Champion Rad - Failed Tundra brakes
    HUH?!?!?

     
  11. Jan 14, 2019 at 5:16 PM
    #271
    Dalandser

    Dalandser ¡Me Gustan Las Tacos-mas!

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    Empty Wallet Mod
    For parts store ones. I got one for $100. Oem online parts dealers like partznet.com and Camelback Toyota have them for around 180-200
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2019
  12. Jan 14, 2019 at 9:56 PM
    #272
    pullingin

    pullingin Well-Known Member

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    "2WD ONLY"? This is shocking! Has anyone ask Champion why NOW it is only for 2WD? Is it not made well enough for rough terrain?
     
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  13. Jan 14, 2019 at 9:57 PM
    #273
    Dalandser

    Dalandser ¡Me Gustan Las Tacos-mas!

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    lol no. Companies are weird in how they call out things - fits mine fine and I'm 4x4. I know guys with 2wd built prerunners and it would have the same if not more abuse.
     
    Ritchie likes this.
  14. Jan 14, 2019 at 9:58 PM
    #274
    xtremewlr

    xtremewlr Well-Known Member

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    It's commonly known as "CYA". They are trying to protect themselves in a shitty way.
     
  15. Jan 14, 2019 at 10:07 PM
    #275
    pullingin

    pullingin Well-Known Member

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    @Blackpanther - How long did you have the radiator installed before the leak? How hard did you drive during this time?
     
  16. Jan 14, 2019 at 10:11 PM
    #276
    Empty_Lord

    Empty_Lord Toyotaholic

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    Too many trucks and mods to list.. check builds
    its just the core size. the radiator is ment for a 2RZ 2wd truck.. doesnt mean it wont fit ours. just a smaller core is all
     
    Dalandser likes this.
  17. Jan 14, 2019 at 10:23 PM
    #277
    Empty_Lord

    Empty_Lord Toyotaholic

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    Too many trucks and mods to list.. check builds
    In other news since i dont have a body to test this.. Who wants to give 16572-07030 and try and see if its a direct for the 5vz and champion radiator. Its the lower Hose for a 5 lug 5vz truck (which use the smaller radiator i do believe)
     
    Dalandser likes this.
  18. Jan 14, 2019 at 10:26 PM
    #278
    Dalandser

    Dalandser ¡Me Gustan Las Tacos-mas!

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    I'll just draw what the one I put on there is and you can look at one - you have a parts connection right? Or just get one from the parts store and see if you can match it and return it. $14 for the generic one I bought part 22120 at O'Reilly's or the one listed in the OP - same number.
     
  19. Jan 14, 2019 at 10:30 PM
    #279
    Empty_Lord

    Empty_Lord Toyotaholic

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    [​IMG]

    the lower one in the picture is the hose ive found.. its shorter than the factory 4x4 one for sure
     
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  20. Jan 14, 2019 at 10:33 PM
    #280
    Dalandser

    Dalandser ¡Me Gustan Las Tacos-mas!

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    Edit:

    IMG_1441.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2019
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