Replace radiator as a preventative measure?

He lives in California. People have died out here in state parks w/ gps and cells when their vehicles became disabled and I'm talking about your average vacationer, not an extreme off-roader. I wasn't making the case that he was an extreme overlander, but addressing your comment that people should tow a parts vehicle when they go offroad.

 

I don't agree with you here. Because, that would mean all OEM parts manufactured today are inferior to the ones that came on our rigs when they were produced. For sure aftermarket parts can be inferior, but OEM means it meets the spec and quality of the original. So, do you work for the automobile industry and know this to be fact or is this just a general statement, "They just don't make things like they use to."?

 

Gotta agree here too. The original radiator in my first gen only lasted 10 years and the aftermarket replacement is leaking after 8-9 years so while it may not be a certainty that a new radiator OEM or otherwise will last as long as an original OEM, it's also not certain that an original will last an unusually long time - especially in the heat and cold that some parts of this state experience. Temp fluctuation will do a number on plastic parts - the flip side to hot weather and low humidity.

 

Maybe if he changes his rad he should keep the old one as a spare. If folks are dying in parks bc their vehicles break down, then that should be a good warning to others about survival techniques...haul a shit ton of water and food.

 

I guess if you just cruise your bitchin truck through the mall parking lot, no need to worry about mechanical failures. You'll just have to delay your latest Facebook or Instagram posting to call for a tow truck while your sipping your double latte.

 

Wow thanks for all the responses everyone . Didn't think it would spin off into a huge discussion lol .

I run an external tranny cooler already from my motorcycle hauling days. The truck is mostly a commuter car / weekend fun car that will shortly become a weekend only car . I'm not doing some of the wild shit I see lots of people doing here. Just love the truck for hauling stuff for my hobbies.

Have an awesome mechanic doing the labor insanely cheap, I've done work like this before but to be frank I'm older now and lazier. Flat out. Normally I wouldn't throw new parts on just for the sake of being new. But, I guess I was approaching it from the standpoint of "you're in there anyway, and literally the radiator will be removed for the Tbelt so might as well throw a new one in " kind of point of view.

So, I can do nothing, buy a koyo for $100, or go full Monty and pick up an oem.

Thanks for input everyone , I'll keep y'all posted !!

 

I picked up a Denso Radiator from my local radiator shop $120 ish.

 

Not sure if you guys care, but I actually ended up replacing the radiator with a Koyo. Feedback from my mechanic was that it was a great fit, slid in there no problems. Here's to another 180k miles!

 

Do you know where he sourced it from?

 

My 2001 OEM radiator lasted till last month at 201K miles. I replaced it with another OEM. So not bad for 16 years and 200K miles for OEM.

 

I guess, if the radiator has lasted this long and you've been diligent with maintenance drain/refills and/or flushes - keep it up

Assuming you are not visually seeing problems ;-)

 

Said he replaced it? Both OP and the post before yours?

 

Is the factory glass safe or replace aswell?

 

No idea. I just know I told him to get me the cheapest, finest radiator that wasn't $200.

 

Mine just blew at 202k I went from noticing a slight bit of seepage to it failing completely. Maybe its because of the Arizona heat but if i would have known I would have just replaced it the last time I was doing Timing belt water pump. If money is not a problem I would just do it.

 

Its covered in the everything else category. Same with the floormats.