Champion Radiator Aluminum 3 core swap

I put a Koyo in my 04, back in 2019, and almost 20,000 miles ago, and I am happy with it. I have pulled my teardrop trailer throughout the summers, including PNW mountain passes in the heat of the day, and several forest roads for the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route while pulling the teardrop, and so far the only so called negatives I can find are the other modifications I had to make to the truck (that I planned on doing anyway, or had partially done already) for cooling the automatic transmission, as the Koyo doesn't have provisions for that.

 

Hard to say when it failed exactly mileage-wise, but it lasted about 11 months. The warranty replacement is still going after 16 months, though (including two cross-country trips). Fingers crossed that it continues to hold up. I'll certainly post an update if it does fail.

 

Im a year in (10K) on my champion in my 2rz........smooth sailing.
BUT Im Rwd.....zero off road........

 

Something I ran across and didn’t know,

if your radiator is not grounded it will fail. This is a good read below,

https://www.northernradiator.com/knowledge/Electrolysis

 

I wonder if that is why the HOAt formula is giving some problems......
....you are always gonna get some current in any moving fluid......

I swear, something is etching head gaskets........looking for a thief in the nite.....

 

so OEM radiator mounting bolts provide grounding?

 

OEM radiators are made of plastic tanks, so don’t know.

 

Well seeing as to how literally all radiators are mounted with bolts on the wing sides which are all made of metal...




i'd say you don't have to worry about it. 4 bolts into the side of the radiators. Means its grounded.



Assuming that you actually have to even worry about that in the first place..

 

Second Koyorad Racing radiator has failed. I guess I'll just go back to an OEM-level replacement and hope that the little diesel doesn't overheat.

 

Surprised no one has started talking about this: https://www.vividracing.com/-p-156281532.html

That's about the best you could get without doing a custom radiator. Pricey though.

 

Actually looks good but who knows until the miles are driven,
Might be a great choice!
Looks a lot better than the champion.

The champion radiator before gave up at 30k miles.
If it’s a quality item the price is not bad,
My custom radiator was over 1000.00 going strong zero issues with 75k on it and keeps
the temperature around 170-180 regardless of outside summer heat

 

CSF is a very very good reputable company. Should be miles better than the champion