Champion Radiator Aluminum 3 core swap

If it’s a CC1778, it will fit, the bottom tank will not protrude very far if at all below the frame rails. Jury is out on how well they last. There are no major mods necessary that I know of, just drilling a hole for the bottom rad hose and trimming the bottom of the fan shroud. I just cut mine off across the bottom and the temps hang around 180-185. But hardest work was towing a trailer through Canada in the fall not real off roading either.
I did use 1/4” thick rubber bushings between the radiator and the core support, and you need to get the gates bottom hose hose #22120, get a couple depending on how far it is to the parts store. Mine bolted up ok, no real fight to get it mounted.

 

If your going with a champion radiator and your truck is 2001-2004 with the newer hood,
The 4runner radiator is a lot larger, it’s the size of the stock auto transmission and will clear the radiator cap on the hood area. If you have an auto transmission already the shroud should also fit with less of a mod.
Would have more cooling power for a hot day on the trails moving slowly.

 

Use CC1998 and Corolla thermostat

great results

no regrets

169-173 percent temps!

 

For those with the champion radiator, did they come with the trans cooler fittings? Mine did not come with fittings. Just male AN fittings. Do you reuse the OEM fittings? If not, does anyone know what size these are?

 

Mine came with them

Check around in the bottom of the box they could be floating around down there

they should’ve been in a plastic bag taped to the radiator.

If not, call Champion and let them know.

i’m sure they’ll send you some new ones free of charge.

Customer service is excellent

 

Very helpful. Thank you!

 

Ok contacted champion. Hopefully they have a set in stock. Thread of the trans cooler fittings are M14x1.0. Going to see if Home Depot has these in the plumbing section.

Separate question... Did you use Teflon tape or paste on the threads?

 

I used tape for the bleeder valve as some have said the plastic one is shit and replace it.

 

I used paste

I also took the bleeder valve out removed the tape and used paste

 

The left transmission cooler hose connection should be at an angle pointing towards the right. The right one just shoot straight back.

 

Sub for future

 

Still no issues

Just make sure you flush out the red stuff and go with the green stuff

 

Mine has been leaking. For sure on one side behind the fan shroud. Maybe on even both sides. It’s very slow but time to move on especially since it’s getting hotter here.

I already put the Japan made Koyo on order and they look pretty cool actually. Only downside is it will hang down lower than I’d like.

 

What Radiator fluid are you using?

 

I was using asian. I’ve seen Champions excuse for failures. I think it’s bullshit to be honest.

I’m going to stick to what Toyota recommends and find a radiator that won’t fail for something stupid.

 

Was anyone tried the Koyorad in the 2000 and older trucks? There would have to be a huge difference in the hood for the radiator not to work. Here's a few pics of a clay test I did on my 2004. Also the Koyorad doesn't hang any lower then the stock auto trans radiator. Fan shroud lines up perfectly.


Touched a spot on the front edge.


Spot on hood. At low point on hood brace.

 

it's a shame that it is so tall; what is really needed is to not hang below the frame rails (which is why Champion is popular)

 

Currently dealing with a cracked plastic tank on my OEM radiator. Did some research and learned that Koyo released an all aluminum radiator for our 1st gens (Part #VH010513) back in September. Which should be useful for the 95-00 guys.

Right now I'm weighing the pros and cons of no internal transmission cooler. Even though I live in Texas I've still found myself waiting for the auto trans to warm up on colder mornings. Some 4Runner guys were adding in transmission thermostats but that sounds like a mess of hoses to me. So it's either OEM replacement with an extra trans cooler or the Koyorad with a trans cooler. I don't consider the Champion rads an option unless they increase the quality.

 

i'd do the koyo rad with a decent external trans cooler running a t-stat personally.

 

Going to grab a decent plate and fin cooler is the plan. I've never been a fan of self tapers or drilling into this truck so I'll have to make a mounting system. For thermostats are we talking something like this?