I have a 96 4Runner with the 3.4 V6. I am in the market for a new radiator. I want a radiator that will perform a little better than the stock one. Any suggestions? I want to keep it around $150 or so. Thanks!

 

KOYO makes a fine radiator. We found one on ebay for $107 via GO PARTS.com

We did my friends 01 Limited auto tranny radiator in about 40 minutes two days ago.

Removing the grille was the single hardest thing-it requires at least 2 people to remove and 3 is better. Pops right back in when done.

This is the single easiest thing you can do to prevent the dreaded "strawberry milkshake" if you are an auto tranny guy.

 

Yeah definatly. You dont want the milk shake it will make you cry. I speak of experiance. It sucks.

 

Hmm, it's not THAT hard, had mine off about 20 times and takes all of about 5 minutes tops with the help of a long flat blade screwdriver.

 

I installed a KOYO as well. It appeared to be of good quality and very similar to the OEM I removed.

 

I just purchased a Koyo that should be delivered today.

Trying to prevent the milkshake......

 

Ii IS hard the first time--for both you and the truck. It is very tight the first time you take it off, those clips just don't want to let go. Plus you have to learn the technique to get the thing off. Otherwise it keeps reclipping itself. It was only when I had had my truck about seven years I decided to upgrade the horns and both I and the truck had to learn how this is done. NOW it's easy...especially if you break a clip or two.

 

Or...



...I'm just sayin'...
(I hate those clips Why couldn't they just use bolts?!)

 

I have a 2002 4runner 4WD with an auto transimission. What is the best and simplest way to prevent the dreaded milkshake? Is it best with seperate transmission or with a new Koyo radiator? Thanks.

 

good question...im in the same boat

 

Search external trans cooler

 

I'm biased since we just did this on Sunday.

A radiator replacement is easy to do and will require no special parts other than a new radiator, Toyota red coolant and some hose clamps, also some ATF fluid to refill what you lose while disconnecting and reconnecting the tranny hoses.

see post #2

KOYO A1998 is the model number I believe. Double and triple check your application with the seller you choose.

google 'KOYO radiators best price'

I am a complete idiot mechanically and we got this done in 40-45 minutes. Parts Blaster works great to loosen up stuck on hoses. Wipe and clean up those hoses before reattaching to the new radiator.

This is my opinion. Note: I am a manual tranny guy so strawberry milkshake will never affect me, I have no tranny lines run into the radiator.

 

I'm just replacing my radiator as well. If I still have my 4runner in another 100-130,000 miles which is highly unlikely then I will replace it again at that point.

Easy and functional.

 

I can remove my radiator without removing the grill. Just use some extensions with a universal coupler and you can get to the 4 bolts through slots in the bumper and grill. You are looking at a 1 hour job at most. Use distilled water to mix with the Toyota coolant.

 

I installed a tranny cooler, and it was probably the most ambitious vehicle mod I've done completely myself. Only took a couple hours, and I'm very pleased with the result. Peace of mind is a big bonus too; since the two systems are completely segregated, you know there's no way you could have a milkshake happen to you.

 

I need to get on this soon for my '02 4wd auto. Still have not decided if I'm going to go w/ an external cooler or just install a new radiator...but as months tick off, the vehicle is not getting any newer. May go the new radiator route for mine.

My wife drives a '00 2wd auto 4Runner. Being that it's a 10.5 yr old vehicle, I'm def going to install a new radiator in hers.

 

I'm ordering a new rad, I installed the aux trans cooler last year luckily, recently one of my trans cooling lines started leaking, then snapped off, would have been a milkshake for sure, I jb welded it for the time being until my new rad arrives.....whew close call

 

Why did you have to remove the grille? I didn't on mine, maybe there's a difference in the manual vs. automatic or later year models?

 

3 people to pull the grill? What T....F....? The grill should take you about 1 minute including removing the clips and reinstalling into the grill? Snap it back on and your good to go! I agree with Ironmike, why did you even remove it in the first place?

 

If I was putting in a new radiator, I'd take the opportunity to replace all the hoses while I was at it. I'd just cut off anything stuck on.