1st gen all aluminum radiator, koyo

Before doing this to my truck researched a lot on getting rid of my crappy plastic radiator and I could not find anything on what I ended up doing. Koyo makes a radiator for the 4x4 manual Tacoma and this is the one I purchased. Part ( VH010513 ) that requires a new cap part ( sk-c13 ).

I chose this over the champion radiator for a couple reasons. I have seen reports of fitment and durability issues with the champion rad and honestly I didn't want to cut or do anything to my hood etc.

The koyo rad bolted directly into my 2002 Tacoma V6 engine bay and has 0 clearance issues. This radiator does NOT have a transmission cooler and it is thicker and shorter then the factory radiator.

Requirements for use:

1. must shave cutouts on fan shroud if installing on an automatic because the drain port and the bottom hose notch needs to be higher because the radiator is shorter.

2. The bottom radiator hose should be switched to the 4x4 hose for the best fitment, or cut the OEM automatic hose at your own risk.

3. Install a stand alone transmission cooler. I chose a b&m for now but I'm still monitoring temps and summer is coming.

Pics.

 

You might want to check the antifreeze type for your new radiator,
The champion radiator if you use the red Toyota antifreeze will make the radiator fail.
They updated this information after many failures not to use red Toyota antifreeze

 

What do you mean when you say use the 4x4 lower radiator hose? Did you mean to say use the lower radiator hose for a rig with a manual transmission? The engine and front ends (body) on these rigs are the same regardless of whether it's 2x4 or 4x4. I don't understand how the lower radiator hose would be different. But, since there is a difference between the manual and auto trans models for the radiator, maybe the manual does take a different lower hose than the auto. Could you clarify this?

 

I think he meant the length of the hose.

 

I have a koyo rad I didn't get champion

 

Yeah my mistake there is a different lower hose for manual and auto trans. One is longer because the rad it's itself is longer for the automatic. Since I used this radiator designed for a manual transmission I had to get the shorter hose.

 

Thanks for the clarification on that. I'm considering getting the Koyo radiator as well for my 98 3rd Gen 4runner. I just recently chose to bypass my stock trans cooler in the radiator and installed a Hayden 699 trans cooler. I think you're running the same B&M cooler I was initially running in-series with the stock cooler on my rig. You might find it won't be enough when the ambient temps get high and you're climbing sustained grades.

My 98 4runner is super heavy with bumpers, roof rack and skids. My engine does tend to run hot when the ambient temps are really high 100+ degrees and I'm climbing grades. I was thinking the Koyo aluminum radiator might be able to help with that. I do plan on regearing from 4.30 to 4.88 which will help take some strain off the engine.

Hopefully you can chime back in after you put your rig through the paces in the mountains to report how well your engine and trans temps are doing. I'm still undecided if bypassing the stock trans cooler in the radiator is the way to go. I have a Death Valley Trip coming up in less than 2 weeks and this will be my first test of the bypassed system to see how it does.

You might want to at some point reconsider your mounting of the trans cooler. I did at first use the zip tie method but I'm glad I went to the brackets instead because I found the zip ties loosened up a bit on my 98 because I 4wheel it a decent amount on rough washboard roads. If that cooler gets a little loose, it can mess up the AC condenser and the radiator cooling channels and potentially leave you stranded or without working AC. Something to think about.

 

I have a Hayden 699 in the garage in case I need to change to it when the temps get hotter lol. I just haven't needed the upgrade yet. And yeah I never turn on my ac anyway, poor kid habits I guess so if it gets messed up oh well. But yeah I saw that the b&m is not the best so I got both

 

Yes, I know, I’ve seen plenty of koyo post of these failing too and my champion failed at 30k. I was disappointed to see others having the koyo fail.
That was going to be my next option.
Just check what type antifreeze you can use.
Some radiators use glue believe it or not with these radiators and depending the antifreeze RED will eat the glue.
Koyo aluminum is very thin and leak around the seams if you google reviews.

I don’t think there is a perfect aftermarket radiator unfortunately

 

According to koyo they only say do not use dex-cool. The radiator I got from them seems pretty beefy on the top and bottom and installed with bushings on the bracket so I'm hopeful it lasts at least a year or 5 lol

 

I HOPE SO
This radiator on top is a champion radiator and you can see how it’s NOT boxed in on the corners making it a weak design

 

I have been reading and koyo is a good OEM replacement but you seem like you have alot of mods so idk how it would hold up with that.

 

It’s probably a good choice

 

I've been running the longer 4runner koyo radiator for over a year with zero problems. Running Toyota antifreeze. Supercharged prerunner 4:30 gears, 24000gvw tru-cool trans cooler. Trans temps 210° up 7% grade in 115° weather, with my foot buried in it making 5.5lbs of boost. Water temps 205° speed 75ish mph. 2 adults with 300lbs of gear in the back Get ya sum of that!!


Note: I also rubber mounted my radiator and grounded radiator with ground strap. Grounding the radiator reduces electrolysis.

 

"Next option" ????? What's up with you super radiator you had made?

 

The custom radiator is doing fantastic! Got close to 70,000 miles on it now. With 100 degree summer outside temps at idle the engine temps stay 180-190 and zero issues and highway driving they are at 180 and winter 170.
Rubber mounted my radiator too,

 

@661citytaco Thank you for the post. I was wondering how your Koyo is holding up? How many miles do you have on it? Do you know what the warranty period is, I can seem to find it?

I have read that some members reported leaks with the Koyo, so your experience would be helpful to the community. Thanks in advance!

For other that have the Koyo installed, how has it held up in miles/months/years? Thanks!

 

I have about 4500 hundred miles on it now with no issues and in that time taken two road trips up and down elevations. The trans cooler tube came loose a little bit but that's about all. No coolant leaks or anything. Been extremely hot here and I haven't had any issues.

 

Had a small accident in my truck. The lower skid plate hit the radiator and put a bow in it. About an inch. Still no leaks.