Champion Radiator Aluminum 3 core swap

Just started reading through this thread. It’s unfortunate so many people are having issues. I travel 700 miles to work and can’t risk this thing leaking on me. I’ve probably had it for 10k+ miles. I checked the reservoir the other day and it was at the low point so I brought it back to the high point. I’m going back to stock before I do have a failure.

 

Are there any better alternatives over the stock radiator? I’m thinking if it worked in my truck for 16 years it should be good enough for ever how longer I have my truck. (Hopefully another 16 years!)

 

Was this a recent occurence?

 

It was 6 month's ago or so

I had a custom radiator made after this

I need reliably


The stock radiators are junk even if they work for some, I've gone through to many.

 

oh snap thread bump

 

What did the custom radiator cost you? Where'd you get it?

 

Others have gone here,
Ron Davis,

Probably 800 range depending on if you need the auto cooler and how thick u go

http://www.rondavisradiators.com/Welcome.htm

 

My radiator was done by another company but compares like this.

My custom radiator is all hand made welded as a complete frame unit for strength, tank and the core frame all welded together. A twisting frame from 4x4 will not break or crack the radiator.
The aluminum is probably twice as thick or more than the champion metal.

The stock radiator fin area is .75” thick and made of plastic and some metal and weight is like 7 pounds.
On 100 degrees days does not do a great job keeping temps down unless driving on the highway. Idle temperatures usually at 195-210 degrees and up.
Plastic tanks tend to crack. I’ve gone through 3 of these.
Cost is 100.00 -150.00 or so, plug and play

Champion radiator is 2.5” thick made of very thin aluminum and weight is 12 pounds.
On 100 degrees days does a great job keeping temperatures at 188-190 degrees at idle.
This radiator is Shorter than the stock radiator measurements by 1.5”, needs the fan shroud modified, cut.
Unfortunately the quality control is very poor. Gone through one of these after 30k it failed with leaks.
Cost 225.00 250.00 depending plus the work to make it fit.

That’s almost 700.00 for those 4 radiators above and at the end of the day with the last failure I have nothing to show.

Custom aluminum radiator (mine) depending will be 2.25” thick extrude tube design and weight is 25 pounds.
On 100 degrees days does a great job keeping temperatures at 185-190 degrees at idle.
It Is the full height as stock.
Quality control is excellent
Cost 1000.00, had to make cuts to get the radiator frame to fit and drill holes for the mounts. No big deal, but not plug and play.
This will be the last radiator I will have to buy.
Super happy with this radiator tho.

These are my experiences with these 3 radiators.

 

Hello I just wanted to share with you my recent radiator swap. My truck is at just under 190,000 and the top tank split just after I did the oil change and grease job in November. I have been out of work on medical leave and thought this was a good time to start on it. I had wait till after January 6 to order the radiator. I followed the route of STLharry and ordered a Koyorad radiator through Battle Born Offroad. It took a couple of weeks with UPS miss shipping the radiator for 3 days, I did get the cap on time. I had prepared the truck with system flush and cleaning as old radiator sprayed the engine compartment good. I have a ARB bumper and decided to not remove bumper, winch and grill. I used 1/4 drive with a 6" extention and lots of patience, and it worked just fine. The radiator lined up and I only had to curse one bolt for a moment but all went good. The only problem was the radiator being taller the bottom hose was about 2" short. My solution was to cut lower hose in the middle and add an aluminum extension. I also changed hose clamps to t-bar clamps. I have had no problems yet and I hope this is the best way to go. I will include some pics and keep forum informed of any future problems.

 

Looks good so far, that looks like a 4runner top tank which probably will not fit the 1995-2000 hood tho.

 

Just curious has anyone used this radiator with an engine swap?
if so what engine was it cooling and how well?

 

yes the radiator is listed for a 4 runner. I forgot to mention it, sorry.

 

What year of 4runner?

Also is there a model number?

 

The radiator is for 3rd gen 4runners model#VH010665N . Please refer to post #589 from STLharry on page 30. This is where I got my info. I am happy with mine. Good Luck

 

This has been established already, yeah.

Which radiator- Champion or Koyorad?
I have the Koyorad and my truck has a 1KZ engine swapped into it. It has kept it cool thus far, but the real test will be during the summer months.

 

WOAH! Cool! Do you have a build thread? I'd love to have a diesel in my truck.

 

Ooooh...I'd love a 1KZ. I've heard they do well on fryer oil. I'm a chef with a nearly endless supply of used fryer oil.

 

Either radiator really. Just curious if this little radiator is gonna be able to keep my turned up 4bt cool during the summer. Guess we will both find out how well they keep a diesel cool.

 

Build thread? This is pretty much my dream build.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1998-tacummins-and-bs.524745/

Finally starting to get back to working on it.