Denso Radiator Conundrum

Hi All,

My '09 Taco has 135K miles, and has served me faithfully ever since I bought it new. I always try to keep ahead of the maintenance, so that I'm not stranded while I do my trip from Boston to Ft. Myers in the fall, or the reverse in the spring.

This year my plan is to re-furb the cooling system. I have new hoses, new OEM hose clamps, a new fan clutch, a new water pump and gasket, and a new Denso radiator.

I am concerned about the Denso radiator because in addition to some bent fins, the box had a hole in it where the upper transmission cooler line was, and the black shipping cap on that port had been worn through. I had to get a pair of needle nose pliers to remove the plastic pieces of the cap from the transmission fluid cooler port. Also there are two 1/16" gaps (seams) in the aluminum C-channel of the radiator that are not present on the radiator currently installed on the truck. The two seams are highlighted in this picture from Amazon. In the picture below, you can actually see one seam is pictured on the bottom in the pic. (which is why I highlighted the seam with a "<")


What would you guys do? Return it or install it?

 

Knowing me, it would bother me endlessly. So I would return it.
You aren't in a rush, just do it right and then not have to worry about it.

 

If it's free returns I'd probably do it for the piece of mind if those trans fittings are bent. Not sure current prices but I got my Denso rad from Rockauto and it was a great deal. Pretty sure I remember it also had those gaps/seams in the C channel and I was concerned but have had no issues after a couple years and 40k miles or so.

 

It's gotten to the point where I won't buy anything important that has any chance of being a counterfeit from a seller on Amazon that isn't Amazon themselves. The place is littered with fakes.

Is the Big A where you got this one?

Knowing me, with possible damage to the radiator and with any chance of it not being legit, I'd return it and get one from another seller. OEM from my local dealer who offers terrific discounts on line most likely, but possibly Rock Auto.

 

Yes, I bought it through an Amazon seller on Amazon.

Below is a pic of the box that the radiator arrived in.

I started the return yesterday... The seller issued me an RMA, and provided a shipping label. I then I had to pay $77.30 for postage to ship it back!

The next one will come from Rock Auto.

 

Honestly you still likely have another 160k miles of life in your stock radiator. Truth be told if you just flushed the coolant with fresh OEM Toyota coolant, that is likely all the maintenance you need to do for your cooling system.

That said, it's your pickup, and if it gives you leave of mind then there is something to be said for that.

Good luck my man!

 

Maybe bypass the rad and put in a separate trans cooler.

 

You could have plugged the outlets in the radiator and run some water with a garden hose to check for leaks.

 

You did the right thing...peace of mind is worth it!