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Good radiator brand?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by AZTacoSupreme, Sep 17, 2016.

  1. Sep 17, 2016 at 10:44 AM
    #1
    AZTacoSupreme

    AZTacoSupreme [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My original radiator has finally let go at 165k, found a deal on an OE radiator but is backordered for a couple months. Any reccomendations for an aftermarket radiator? Anyone used napa's parts? Haven't had much luck with auto zone or O'reilly parts.
     
  2. Sep 17, 2016 at 10:54 AM
    #2
    2000TRDTaco

    2000TRDTaco Well-Known Member

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    I installed a oreilly one in November 2014 and have had no problems with it....price was decent
     
  3. Sep 17, 2016 at 11:53 AM
    #3
    Itchyfeet

    Itchyfeet Well-Known Member

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    The Denso one is about $90 from Rockauto
     
  4. Sep 17, 2016 at 11:54 AM
    #4
    cruiserguy

    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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    I bought a Denso radiator from Amazon for a hundred bucks. Denso and Koyo are both good OEM brands.
     
    drizzoh and opteron like this.
  5. Sep 17, 2016 at 12:44 PM
    #5
    AZTacoSupreme

    AZTacoSupreme [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Also, is it necessary to replace thermostat when replacing rad? I plan on doing the timing belt and water pump in a couple months anyhow when I have the extra time/money.
     
  6. Sep 17, 2016 at 1:02 PM
    #6
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    Reserected from the dead.
    I use the Rock Auto brand as well.

    Radiators are consumable parts. $100 every 150,000 miles. Pretty cheap insurance.

    They are easy to change.
     
  7. Sep 17, 2016 at 1:51 PM
    #7
    AZTacoSupreme

    AZTacoSupreme [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the feeback everyone, decided to go with the denso from rock auto. $105 shipped
     
  8. Sep 17, 2016 at 2:06 PM
    #8
    2000TRDTaco

    2000TRDTaco Well-Known Member

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    I would replace the tstat while I'm in there anyway
     
    hfjeff likes this.
  9. Sep 17, 2016 at 2:32 PM
    #9
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    For what it is worth i use a Copper and Brass Radiator in both my 3.4 engines .

    I will never go back to Aluminum and plastic
     
    newertoy likes this.
  10. Sep 17, 2016 at 2:38 PM
    #10
    AZTacoSupreme

    AZTacoSupreme [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Didn't know they made them for 1st gens, what brand is yours and where'd you get it?

     
  11. Sep 17, 2016 at 2:43 PM
    #11
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    I do believe it is a CSF I bought it through the now gone Radiator Barn

    It is the radiator used in the mid nineties 3.0 I just made brackets to install it in the Tacoma

    A slight modification to the lower hose.

    Keeps things at a constant temperature

    Been a few years now
     
  12. Sep 17, 2016 at 2:51 PM
    #12
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    You will disturb the thermostat when replacing the water pump. Makes sense to replace the thermostat with a new one at the point.
     
  13. Sep 17, 2016 at 4:13 PM
    #13
    Glynn863

    Glynn863 Well-Known Member

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    Still have the original one in my son's '96 with 102K miles. It is a Harrison radiator of all things.
     
  14. Sep 18, 2016 at 11:29 AM
    #14
    opteron

    opteron Well-Known Member

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    If you do replace your thermostat get one that activates at a lower temp.
     
  15. Sep 18, 2016 at 1:10 PM
    #15
    Mod

    Mod Well-Known Member

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    Not really necessary to replace the tstat. Alot of folks don't. Personally, I would do that because it has lots of miles and cycles on it also. Having a old thermostat stick and not open, then unstick and suddenly open, on a new radiator can really suck.

    It's kinda like auto transmissions and torque converters and the question gets asked if one should replace the converter if a new trans goes in. That one is a resounding ABSOLUTELY. Never pair one or the other new and used, you will find out why the hard way.
     
  16. Jul 24, 2022 at 2:58 PM
    #16
    pullingin

    pullingin Well-Known Member

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    @AZTacoSupreme I was wondering how your Denso radiator is holding up? How many miles do you have on it? Have you had any issues?

    I am in a similar situation as you when you were looking for a good OEM replacement. They don't make the OEM Harrison any more that was well made.

    Thanks!
     
  17. Jul 25, 2022 at 10:31 AM
    #17
    Nessal

    Nessal Well-Known Member

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    I installed a Denso unit a few months ago and have about 6k miles on it. I replaced it because I was going to drive the truck half way across the country. It feels and looks like a quality unit and made in Taiwan. I did have to reuse the oem side brackets though. I still have my OE Harrison rad and it has no issues. Going to toss it in the dump this week since the denso one seems to work well.
     
  18. Jul 25, 2022 at 1:09 PM
    #18
    pullingin

    pullingin Well-Known Member

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    @AZTacoSupreme Gla to hear the Denso is working for you. Are there two versions of the radiator, one for auto trans and one for MT? I have a MT and don't want it to hang below the frame and prevent the skid plate from bolting back up. Thanks!
     
  19. Jul 25, 2022 at 1:11 PM
    #19
    Nessal

    Nessal Well-Known Member

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    There are two versions but i dont think either will prevent the skid plate from bolting back on but dont quote me on that.
     
  20. Jul 25, 2022 at 2:07 PM
    #20
    Mod

    Mod Well-Known Member

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    Jeez. Didn't even remember posting on this. My how time,,. Popped the head gasket on the 2.7 right when the full-ish covid lockdown occurred and about 275k. Hard to find a machine shop or radiator shop open then,,but just managed. Raditator shop said the orig oem was flowing like, oem. Spaghetti camera inside the core said "All good" to what he could see. No white mineral boogers stuck to the core. Oem coolant mix it's whole life. The machine shop was a different story. Morons that had to be lead,,all I will say. I had to fix some of their work, before reassembly.
     

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