Champion Radiator Aluminum 3 core swap

So I’m curious. Why would people buy the champion Tacoma radiator knowing it’s smaller that their existing radiator and they’ll have to modify their fan shroud? I decided when I got my aluminum radiator to get the 3rd gen 4Runner champion radiator. 3rd gen 4Runner’s have a larger radiator than 5speed Tacoma’s, and the same size radiator as automatic Tacoma’s (The core height on the 4Runner champion radiator is 22 5/8 inches). I did this when I replaced the radiator on my 2000 5 speed, and bought a new fan shroud on eBay for $30, and I just swapped it to my 2004 double cab today.

Food for thought for those who are interested

 

Few reasons

1. It doesn't matter if it's smaller. It's a triple core vs a single core. The oem one is single core.

2 clearance. The oem radiator that is the size your just bought hangs below the frame. The actual Tacoma one is even with the frame. Keeps it safer and allows for a tighter skid plate to be fitted helping approach angles. Not a deal breaker but if you offroad a lot it helps.

3 I thought the 4runner one had the cap I. The wrong spot and a Tacoma hood wouldn't close. Granted I think John was the one that found this out and he has a 97 Tacoma which has the lower clearance hood than the 01-04 hood. So might not be an issue with later years.

Either way. It's the same motor not matter how you look at it. No need to fit a larger radiator otherwise Toyota would have done it all the time.

The only reason people have to modify the shround typically is that most have auto tranny shrounds and are fitting it to a manual tranny sized radiator. Beats buying a new part but you could essentially do the same thing. That was my original plan but I screwed up and bought one for the 2.7 motor instead haha

 

@Blackdawg some valid points. I never really cared too much about the skid plate issue cause it cleared my budbuilt and that’s all I cared about. I can confirm the cap clearance on 95-00 Tacoma’s, as I had the 4Runner champion radiator in my 2000 first, and had to give one of the crossmembers in the hood a few love taps with a ball peen hammer to make the hood shut. It clears the 01-04 hood no problem

 

Good to know it works with the 01-04 hood.

I bought a front skid that won't work with the taller core.

Either way both work just fine

 

@Blackdawg i guess I just took the “more must be better” route

 

Will not fit the early tacoma hoods, also if you have a 5 speed you will need
the auto skid plate that hangs down.
I measured my radiator area with the 5 speed skid plate and there’s no way it will fit for my year.
1)I have the early hood, so no go, unless you cut the hood support I believe is what another member did, rather he told me.
2) I have the 5 speed with an 200.00 aftermarket skid plate, so no go three too, u less I buy a different aftermarket skid plate then I already have.

It has been posted before that the 4runner radiator can be modified to fit the 2001-2004 tacoma, with the newer hood style already and that some have already done that.

 

Just for reference for others with the 2001-2004 hoods to be able to use the 4 runner radiator.

What shroud did you use, 2001 Tacoma 5 speed, Tacoma auto, 4 runner auto? You have a 5 speed?

What lower radiator hose did you use? 2001 Tacoma 5 speed, Tacoma auto, 4 runner auto hose?

 

@1997tacomav6 i used a 96-02 4runner/95-04 auto Tacoma shroud. 3.4 Tacoma’s with an automatic use the same radiator as 96-02 4Runner. As for the lower radiator hose I used the stock hose in my 2000 v6 5 speed. it puts tension on it, but it reaches. My 2004 Tacoma is an automatic so I used the stock hose with no issues. So the end result is if you get a shroud and lower radiator hose for a 3.4 4Runner, regardless of if it’s a 5 speed or automatic 4Runner, or 3.4 automatic Tacoma, and you’ll be set. I initially had this setup in my 2000 v6 supercharged 5 speed and it worked great. The only modification you need to make to the shroud is shave the lip at the top and bottom edges down so it sits flush against the tank. As for 95-00 Tacoma’s you need to clearance one of the hood crossmembers for the radiator cap so the hood will actually shut. As for skid plate I was running a budbuilt on my 2000 and it cleared. I’m running the stock on my 2004 with no issues.

 

Well it looks like I get to make a call tomorrow...

 

Thanks for jinxing me...

 

Shit dude. Sorry haha

Looks similar to mine.

I still haven't heard back.

 

I'm really disappointed. I hope they make good on their "lifetime" warranty.

 

Me too. Otherwise I need a new skid plate

 

It def does hang low. At 1st I thought I must've bought the wrong one but NOPE the oem was the same. I would rather it be a bit shorter than hang that low. Luckily the skid plate I got covered it nicely.

 

@Phessor How long did you have it installed before this happened?

 

Last April

 

Ha same as me

 

Purchased mine in April & it blew in November...had to wait until January for a new one...so far, so good!

$60 in shipping though is

 

I am getting the feeling these radiators only last a few months! Is the failure happening only to the first generation? Maybe there has not been enough time for the second gens to fail?

 

Mmm I’m at about a year and 35,000 miles with zero issues