95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners
Old 04-12-2016, 08:03 AM
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4runner OEM Radiator longevity ????

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Old 04-21-2009 | 04:26 PM
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cosmophonic12's Avatar
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4runner OEM Radiator longevity ????

I’m coming up on 10 years on an OEM Toyota radiator. My 4runner (manual trans) has been flawless and no major problems (knock on wood). However, I am the third owner approaching 100K. Had any of your yota freaks had problems or failures with old age radiators? BTW, I live in phoenix and the sonoran desert heat takes a toll on this stuff like this. Thanks!
Old 04-21-2009 | 05:43 PM
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I just picked mine up (2000 Ltd Auto) with 100,000 on the motor, 150,000 on the body. I'm assuming the original rad was reused when the swap was done, but I can't speak with 100% certainty. Anyway, for what it's worth, what I THINK was the original rad was replaced in August of 08.
Old 04-21-2009 | 05:44 PM
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I have almost 200K on my original Toyota radiator in my V6 Camry. I also have 112K on my (I believe original) in my T4R. I think that the Toyota OEM radiators last a long time. They usually fail leaking antifreeze into the auto tranny but where you have a manual tranny, it shouldn't be an issue.
Honda on the other hand, runs a 91 degree operating temp while Toyota I believe (I would welcome the correction) is 83 degrees. That is a BIG difference because it is in Celsius. Every Honda I have owned I usually replace it at about 100K because of (what I believe) the temp difference, expanding and contracting more with the higher temperature.

Last edited by stir_fry_boy; 04-21-2009 at 05:50 PM.
Old 04-21-2009 | 07:44 PM
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I just replaced my radiator at 129,XXX miles about 2 weeks ago. Some time during the winter the bottom portion began to leak where the aluminum and plastic join.

I went with a Performance Radiator, FWIW.

MadCityRich
'02 4Runner
Old 04-21-2009 | 08:15 PM
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I bought a SC'd 4Runner out of Cali as my SC'r "donor" rig a while back. The rig (and the radiator) had 197K miles. Many of the miles were racked up while towing an enclosed trailer to SD. No issues.
Old 04-21-2009 | 08:38 PM
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No radiator problems on my 2000, but I had a freeze plug fail! Really pissed me off, how does that happen...I've never had a freeze plug fail.
Old 04-21-2009 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by nieuwendyk-25
No radiator problems on my 2000, but I had a freeze plug fail! Really pissed me off, how does that happen...I've never had a freeze plug fail.
wow, thats weird!


your runner looks like mine.
Old 04-21-2009 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by cosmophonic12
wow, thats weird!


your runner looks like mine.
Is yours red? Don't see too many of them...I am close to you on milage too...mine has about 87K on it

Yeah my freeze plug corroded and started leaking...go figure.
Old 04-21-2009 | 09:43 PM
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the radiator in my 4 runner is going on 10 years and 150k, knock on wood its going good. the radiator in my fj40 is going on 40 years and still going strong.. Just change your coolant every year and you will b fine.
Old 04-21-2009 | 10:34 PM
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Change your coolant regularly & watch around the top & bottom tank for seepage.
Old 04-21-2009 | 11:03 PM
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267k, going on 11 years. Damn near good as new, no leaks *fingers crossed*
Old 04-22-2009 | 01:18 AM
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9 years and 227k miles on the original rad
Old 04-22-2009 | 06:07 AM
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The only reason i had to replace my radiator was that i smashed it on a rock
Old 04-22-2009 | 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by nieuwendyk-25
Is yours red? Don't see too many of them...I am close to you on milage too...mine has about 87K on it

Yeah my freeze plug corroded and started leaking...go figure.
yes, just like yours. mines also a 5spd

if i get replace the radiator, im getting a Koyo
Old 04-22-2009 | 04:11 PM
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My 97 I had to replace my radiator at 195k miles due to the transmission line busting in there. Replaced the radiator, coolant flush, transmission flush. 5k miles later 2 solenoids in the transmission had to be replaced. And of course another transmission flush was done.
I believe that 180k mile service should include a new radiator along with the t-belt, water pump and belts.
Old 04-22-2009 | 08:15 PM
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I'd be a little more watchful if I had an auto truck as I've seen a good bit of report of the tranny coolers in them failing lately. But In manual tranny truck has the original rad and 150+ miles and still going great. Change your fluid regularly and you should be good.
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