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Champion Radiator Aluminum 3 core swap

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by 1997tacomav6, Apr 12, 2018.

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HAS YOUR CHAMPION RADIATOR CORE FAILED?

  1. Radiator core failed 5k

    4 vote(s)
    10.8%
  2. Radiator core failed 10k

    4 vote(s)
    10.8%
  3. Radiator core failed 15k

    1 vote(s)
    2.7%
  4. Happy with radiator?

    18 vote(s)
    48.6%
  5. Radiator defect when new?

    5 vote(s)
    13.5%
  6. Radiator failed after 25k

    5 vote(s)
    13.5%
  1. Mar 28, 2019 at 11:47 AM
    #361
    Amoore131

    Amoore131 Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 6112/5160's 33" STT Pros SCS F5's All-pro Armor Softopper Snorkel Winch Heretic Lights
    I keep going back and forth between this and something like the Mishimoto or Koyo oem style 2-row. How is everyone's holding up?

    I'm forced to swap out my good-working radiator due to the all-pro bumper not clearing the automatic one.
     
  2. Mar 28, 2019 at 12:30 PM
    #362
    burntkat

    burntkat Well-Known Member

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    Phillip
    Charleston, SC
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    Mine is only 2 months old, but no problems whatsoever. Even the install of the lower hose was easy (the spout is a bit too large). Old guy trick- dish soap on the nipple.
     
    1997tacomav6[OP] and Amoore131 like this.
  3. Mar 28, 2019 at 12:40 PM
    #363
    Phessor

    Phessor Well-Known Member

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    Mine is the new style with the smaller cap and it is offset to miss the hood.
     
    burntkat likes this.
  4. Mar 28, 2019 at 12:42 PM
    #364
    BYJOSHCOOK

    BYJOSHCOOK Mr. Mojo Risin

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    Josh
    Woodstock and Alpharetta Ga
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 4WD Lunar Mist
    Check Out My Builds
    I'm sure mine is the same, kinda stupid looking from the recent pics I've seen but ah well. It's not a show truck, also waiting on a few other parts but should be good to go for next weekend install
     
    burntkat likes this.
  5. Mar 28, 2019 at 12:54 PM
    #365
    Phessor

    Phessor Well-Known Member

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    Under normal conditions my stock radiator has been fine. But as the temperatures start to rise this summer, so does my engine temps. That is when this radiator shines!
     
    1997tacomav6[OP] and burntkat like this.
  6. Mar 28, 2019 at 1:20 PM
    #366
    Amoore131

    Amoore131 Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 6112/5160's 33" STT Pros SCS F5's All-pro Armor Softopper Snorkel Winch Heretic Lights
    Thanks for the feedback. Does anyone have an issue getting up to temp in the winter? When I had an aluminum radiator on my Subaru, the heat never really got hot since the engine ran so much cooler.
     
  7. Mar 28, 2019 at 2:30 PM
    #367
    Phessor

    Phessor Well-Known Member

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    Mine stays a constant 188° F all year round.
     
    Amoore131[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Mar 28, 2019 at 5:32 PM
    #368
    Shortman5

    Shortman5 Well-Known Member

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    ..
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    Supercharged TRD
    TRD S/C, ADS coilovers.
    Running a 180 degree thermostat?
     
  9. Mar 28, 2019 at 7:36 PM
    #369
    burntkat

    burntkat Well-Known Member

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    Charleston, SC
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    So is mine.

    There was much made about the cap being off center and a non standard piece. While mine is off center (who cares), the stock Toyofa cap works a treat.

    VERY happy with mine thus far. However I should repeat, it is new yet. The real story will be told in August when the heat and humidity race each other.

    It isn't high-end fabrication, no. But then, a pretty weld isn't necessarily strong, and the inverse applies. These aren't ugly welds, they just aren't that pretentious bullshit tiny stack of dimes everyone sees on the fab shows.
     
  10. Mar 28, 2019 at 7:37 PM
    #370
    burntkat

    burntkat Well-Known Member

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    Shouldn't be a problem. This is what thermostats are for
     
    Amoore131[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Mar 28, 2019 at 8:10 PM
    #371
    Phessor

    Phessor Well-Known Member

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    Yes
     
  12. Mar 28, 2019 at 8:16 PM
    #372
    Shortman5

    Shortman5 Well-Known Member

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    ..
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    TRD S/C, ADS coilovers.
    Got the Campion on order. I’m wondering if I should change my 170 out. I wouldn’t want it to run any cooler than 180.
     
    Phessor[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Mar 29, 2019 at 2:26 PM
    #373
    Amoore131

    Amoore131 Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 6112/5160's 33" STT Pros SCS F5's All-pro Armor Softopper Snorkel Winch Heretic Lights
    Decided to pull the trigger last night. Bought the radiator, the mentioned gates hose, a manual trans V6 fan shroud, and 3 gallons of Zerex pink coolant.

    Is there anything I'm missing?
     
  14. Mar 29, 2019 at 2:52 PM
    #374
    ToyRyd04

    ToyRyd04 Taco Transformer

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    SAS'd PreRunner Diamond Axles Crawlbox
    Grab a new thermostat and replace since your 3 bolts away when the radiator is pulled. Also inspect your upper hose, trans cooler lines, and fan/fan clutch.
     
  15. Mar 29, 2019 at 2:55 PM
    #375
    Amoore131

    Amoore131 Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 6112/5160's 33" STT Pros SCS F5's All-pro Armor Softopper Snorkel Winch Heretic Lights
    Any recommendations on thermostats? I see a variety mentioned including 170 or 180 degree and various brands.
     
  16. Mar 29, 2019 at 3:23 PM
    #376
    BlackPearl

    BlackPearl Well-Known Member

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    3” lift. Sway a ways 2.5 on 285 75 16 and much more
    I used one from Napa. I think it was like safe T stat. Basically if it fails it stays open that way you don't over heat.
     
  17. Mar 29, 2019 at 3:25 PM
    #377
    Speedytech7

    Speedytech7 Toyota Cult Ombudsman

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    It's less Tacoma and more mod
    All of Napa's SuperStat ones are Stant brand too so you can't really go wrong.
     
    burntkat likes this.
  18. Mar 29, 2019 at 3:29 PM
    #378
    Amoore131

    Amoore131 Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 6112/5160's 33" STT Pros SCS F5's All-pro Armor Softopper Snorkel Winch Heretic Lights
    What's the consensus on 170 vs 180 degree tstats?
     
  19. Mar 29, 2019 at 3:30 PM
    #379
    Speedytech7

    Speedytech7 Toyota Cult Ombudsman

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    It's less Tacoma and more mod
    180, it's designed to operate there. Hell the ECU doesn't even consider your engine warmed up until 177.8°
     
  20. Mar 29, 2019 at 3:34 PM
    #380
    BlackPearl

    BlackPearl Well-Known Member

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    3” lift. Sway a ways 2.5 on 285 75 16 and much more
    the 170 is recommended for the 3.4 supercharger trucks
     
    Amoore131[QUOTED] likes this.

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