Radiator replacement

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

I need to replace my radiator as it's leaking near the top. It's 10 year old so won't consider having it repaired. While I'm changing it, I'll probably install a separate transmission cooler as well.

Options:
$300-$400 for aftermarket alluminium/plastic
$460 for Toyo copper/plastic
$1000 for genuine alluminium/plastic (no thanks)
$1200 for all alluminium (custom)

Opinions?
I was thinking a custom all alluminium one, but that Toyo one sounds ok as well.

[rags Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close rags]

Glen i went through this same dilema when i needed a replacement radiator on my old 90s,
it was suggested at the time that an alloy radiator was better at cooling than the copper model,so in the end i fitted the alloy with plastic tanks , that was also cheaper than the others as you have found.
If you are near Windsor NSW i can recommend Mac Rad Air, they where cheaper and very helpful, I fitted it myself but used the good toyota red coolant that was also ok for price
Russ

[rossy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rossy]

hi glen,i got mine from a radiator shop in melboure $227.00 delivered to my door.found it on ebay.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Do these cheaper ones handle the heavy job well? I'm not necessarily after the cheapest solution - I've had high temps in soft sand before and am planning on bigger wheels.

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

When i replaced mine, I got it from a radiator shop, it is the alloy with plastic tanks, it only cost me $350, it holds slightly more coolant than the standard one.
Another thing to do when you replace the rad, is do the thermostat, dont get aftermarket, get it from Toyota, it only costs around $10-$15. Since doing it, I have never had the temp go over 1/2, and have towed very heavy loads in that time.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

When i replaced mine, I got it from a radiator shop, it is the alloy with plastic tanks, it only cost me $350, it holds slightly more coolant than the standard one.
Another thing to do when you replace the rad, is do the thermostat, dont get aftermarket, get it from Toyota, it only costs around $10-$15. Since doing it, I have never had the temp go over 1/2, and have towed very heavy loads in that time.

thanks croozza
I replaced the thermostat a while ago with aftermarket and it definitely improved the cooling system.

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Hi Glen

I used Repco Able Auto repair in Penrith, because they give a nationwide warranty and the price was reasonable.

Cheers

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

IMPORTANT UPTDATE:
I spoke with a reputable automatic transmissions workshop about the separate oil cooler. He advised that you should NOT replace the radiator's oil cooler with an external oil cooler. It won't be sufficient and you may end up in his shop having the auto repaired (he had two vehicles in there from this exact situation).

The proper method is to ADD an oil cooler, to improve the stock system, like this:
transmission -> radiator -> oil cooler -> transmission


So I've ordered a standard style aluminium/plastic radiator, and may have an oil cooler added later.

For reference, some aluminium/plastic radiator prices:
$250 for unknown manufacturer
$330 for Natra
$470 for Denso
$550+ for Repco, unknown manufacturer

I was recommended the Natra for price/quality, but he said the Denso is the best, so I went for that.

For those interested, Denso and Toyo also manufacture copper/plastic units.

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

That's interesting what the transmission specialist said about the stand alone cooler. Thanks for the heads up!

Don't Denso make the genuine Toyota rads?

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

That's interesting what the transmission specialist said about the stand alone cooler. Thanks for the heads up!

Don't Denso make the genuine Toyota rads?

Denso are an OEM manufacturer, and so are Toyo, but I don't know if they build the Prado ones, no idea..

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

I installed the new radiator last night, here's the old and new:


(the green stain is not from the filler, it's the leak)




hmmm...


...me thinks Declan was right, the Toyota radiator is made by Denso. Toyota sells them for just under $1000, so be sure to order the Denso one for half the price, via your local mechanic or radiator specialist.