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It's a fairly easy DIY... Replacement radiator comes in 2 options: standard and tow-package. The tow-package provides better cooling capacity, but for cold climate such as North Dakota, I would recommend staying with the standard version.
Rock Auto has the Denso towing model for $65. I just replaced mine yesterday. I see no difference between it and the standard model. They are now labeled "Made in China"
There must be many more "towing model" out there as the prices were much cheaper.
I ended up with the standard Denso for $100 shipped. I am replacing the upper/lower hoses at the same time. Had I known, I would have replaced the radiator with the timing belt/water pump.
Rock Auto has the Denso towing model for $65. I just replaced mine yesterday. I see no difference between it and the standard model. They are now labeled "Made in China"
I replaced my Denso radiator last year. Made in Taiwan.
there are optional radiators on the market made in USA. All aluminum, no plastic caps or hosefitttings. More expensive than the OEM but lasting. Just google
PRC aluminum radiators is just one example
Thanks all. I will be replacing it Friday. New Denso arriving on Thursday (and upper and lower hoses). I can turn a 2 hour project into a 5 hour project like nobody else.
2-5 hours? It's actually faster if you are replacing the hoses too. When you remove the radiator leave the lower hose attached to it. It's much easier getting to the lower clamp on your driveway/workspace. 6 bolts to remove the fan/overflow and swap it over. Clamp the new lower hose on the new radiator before you install it. A few other tips:
Put expanding foam earplugs in the ends of the trans cooler lines when you remove them so they don't drip.
Make sure the petcock is tight on the new radiator (mine was shipped loose).
Swap the 4" drain hose to the new radiator.
The spring hose clamps Toyota uses work better if they are released from the fully open position and allowed to pop into place.
Have fun this weekend.
2-5 hours? It's actually faster if you are replacing the hoses too. When you remove the radiator leave the lower hose attached to it. It's much easier getting to the lower clamp on your driveway/workspace. 6 bolts to remove the fan/overflow and swap it over. Clamp the new lower hose on the new radiator before you install it. A few other tips:
Put expanding foam earplugs in the ends of the trans cooler lines when you remove them so they don't drip.
Make sure the petcock is tight on the new radiator (mine was shipped loose).
Swap the 4" drain hose to the new radiator.
The spring hose clamps Toyota uses work better if they are released from the fully open position and allowed to pop into place.
Have fun this weekend.
"Things happen". I hope it takes 2 hours. I have luck like a bolt head turns off and I then have to drill it out and go buy a tap for a specific size and then x, y, z happens and a 2 hour job is 4. Maybe that only happens to me.
I watched a video of someone doing it online, so I have good feeling this one will be in the "normal" range.
Toyota/Lexus needs a different radiator vendor, I've had so many with leaks over the years. I'd love it if they spent the extra few dollars getting rid of the plastic end tanks and went all aluminum. The seems to be where all of mine have issues.
05-06-18, 06:10 AM
2001 radiator leak on seam 2” below the radiator cap
