advice on new radiator

Had the worst day yesterday. Coming home from Wyoming a truck threw a rock and took out my radiator, had to add 2 gallons of water every 40 miles but finally made it home without overheating the truck. To make matters worse once I got home I tried to put the motor in my 93 and ended up smashing my finger really bad and peeled the meat off to the bone... Looks really disgusting.

I am shopping for a radiator. I see there are lots of cheap aftermarket ones, wondering if they are ok, if anyone has tried them, if they keep the temps down as well as a stock one. I haven't priced a stocker yet, but if anyone knows where to get an oem cheaper than thru the dealer that would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Sorry 'bout yer finger, hope ya feel better. I've had after-market radiators like 1-800 radiator and had them fail on other cars. IMO I would look online for an genuine Toyota radiator rather than some OEM replacement off brand. Who knows, the dealership price may not be too bad. BTW prices can vary considerably from one dealership to the next. Good luck!

 

I would check with a reliable shop to see what it costs to recore the one you have. Might cost less.

 

i just went to E-bay and I searched for a radiator. I found two, the first is a new replacement radiator for 84 dollars.The second one is Oem radiator for 200 dollars. You can get either one and it would be good. You just need to look around. Good Luck.

 

Maybe you can check here?
http://www.toyotapartsbarn.com/Toyota/Parts/Toyota-Parts.shtm

 

check out Be-Cool or griffin and see if they manufacture a replacement aluminum rad.

 

Sorry tonhear about your finger...

Actually i need to replace my radiator as well... I went to autozone (here in mexico) and they have an oem replacement for (with exchange rate dollar/peso) about 200 dlls...

 

I searched Ebay also, and think the cheap ones that say oem in the title aren't really oem... I also noticed some say auto tranny only.. Why would that be? I have the 6spd manual....

The leak is in the fins, and is bad enough to fill a coffee cup in about a minute or less... Does that still sound worth fixing? I don't know anything about the cost or ability to fix a radiator.

 

And thanks about the finger... don't try putting in a motor alone... I've done it before but this time it went south and I ended up with my finger smashed for quite a while before the motor finally slid off. Not fun. Take it from me, have someone there at least to pick t the motor back up when you can't reach the handle.

 

The difference between a auto and 6 spd rad has always been a built in transmission cooler in the bottom of the rad (or in the case of the Tacoma the LH rad tank).

I have in the past used auto rad in a manual.. you simply lose a little coolant capacity.

If you are in a rush check out summit racing or JEGS or andy's auto for a replacement rad.. Then send your old one off to BE-Cool.. they will construct you an all aluminum replacement rad. It isn't cheap but the are very nice rads that will keep you very cool.

also simply take measurements and see if you can get a universal fit from Be-Cool or Griffin that can be made to fit with little modification. This is what I ended up doing when I dropped a 440 in my 1980 Power Wagon. 300 for the rad and another 50 at the welding shop cutting and reorienting the out let spout.

 

To anyone that has r&r'd a radiator in these trucks, is it fairly simple or does it require removal of the condensor, bumper, etc?