1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Radiators

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by jdarcy, Jul 20, 2013.

  1. Jul 20, 2013 at 12:30 PM
    #1
    jdarcy

    jdarcy [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2013
    Member:
    #108666
    Messages:
    13
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prerunner
    My 2001 Tacoma needs a new radiator and I would like to save money by purchasing one at autozone, but I don't want to buy one that will break or leak. The Toyota dealer told me a new oem one would be $275 while the autozone one is $150. Does anyone have experience with these? Is it worth paying almost twice as much for a toyota radiator?
    Also, My truck is a prerunner model with an automatic transmission. Do I purchase the 4 wheel drive radiator?
    Thanks for the help
     
  2. Jul 20, 2013 at 12:38 PM
    #2
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2011
    Member:
    #50183
    Messages:
    2,357
    Gender:
    Male
    Snow Hill NC
    Vehicle:
    00 Tacoma Ext. 3.4L SR5

    I just put the second autozone radiator in mine. The first one started leaking after 4 years. Lifetime warranty so it didn't cost me but a gallon of antifreeze. I would go oem. Also there are different size radiators. 20 and 3/4 or 22 and 5/8 will work fine for your application. The radiators are the same width one is just taller than the other. If you get it from Toyota just have them run your vin and get the same size that is currently in it.
     
  3. Jul 20, 2013 at 12:53 PM
    #3
    jdarcy

    jdarcy [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2013
    Member:
    #108666
    Messages:
    13
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prerunner
    Thanks. Are the Autozone ones of good quality? Would you buy one again or would you just pay the $275 for the Toyota?
     
  4. Jul 20, 2013 at 1:06 PM
    #4
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2011
    Member:
    #50183
    Messages:
    2,357
    Gender:
    Male
    Snow Hill NC
    Vehicle:
    00 Tacoma Ext. 3.4L SR5
    Well the tank on the bottom of the first autozone one started leaking after 4 years. Even though it only costed me about 20 bucks in antifreeze I would go back oem. Try the camelback Toyota guy here if you are not in a hurry and can wait a few days he may be able to give you a better price.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top