How to decide on oem parts

I need to do the timing belt, replace the radiator and apparently replace a pcv valve. I reached out to Joe Joe for a bid and am searching the forums for recommendations. Links can be a bit dated though. When I look at the pricing and parts I get confused real quick. Joe joes bid is way higher than getting a radiator online and getting aircabinmans timing belt kit. But aircabinmans kit is way more than several other ebay sellers with oem parts kits. I have ordered from Joe Joe in the past and it’s been successful but we are talking a few hundred or more dollars difference from the other options. I am not very knowledgeable in this stuff and do not want to buy junk or get an incomplete kit but also need to save $ where I can.
Any recommendations on how to navigate this? I don’t want to insult Joe Joe but why is he so much higher? Is he accounting for miscellaneous parts that I am not even aware are needed? Do I trust the least expensive eBay oem kit that seems to match the aircabinmans kit? Help??

 

That's a good question, ask the sellers! Find the differences. if there's none than see if they will price match. If not than vote your pocket.

 

You can buy all of those parts from Partsgeek and not worry about them being counterfeit. Pcv valve, thermostat and radiator cap you can get from the dealer.

https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2002/toyota/tacoma/cooling_system/radiator.html?brand=denso

https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2002/toyota/tacoma/engine_mechanical/timing_belt.html?brand=aisin

https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2...ve_belts/multi_rib_belt.html?brand=mitsuboshi

 

This is helpful thank you! How do I know which of the timing belt kits to get? Looks like some are for an oil cooler and some aren’t. Or how do I know if I need the one with the hydraulic tensioner?

 

Is there an easy way to know my radiator core size? I see two different options for my 3.4l

 

Check and see if you have an oil cooler. It attaches to the water pump on the drivers side with a hose that routes around the oil filter to the oil cooler at the same height as your oil filter but further back towards the back of the engine.

 

I meant to say the hydraulic tensioner. I’m guessing all 3.4l have the oil cooler.

 

The 3.4 jdm engine I put in my truck didn't have one. I had to install my original.

 

Dont forget rockauto…
Assuming automatic, v6:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/denso,2213138,radiator,2172

denso is the best among consensus last i looked into this

 

Ten years ago the Aircabinman kit came with new Toyota fan belts and I just didn't install them (MOF I still have them).

Other than that, if I were to do the water pump and timing belt again, rather than buy from eBay and take my chances with counterfeit parts to save a few bucks, I would just go with Aircabinman again.