94 4Runner 3 Row Radiator

Hello -

I just picked up a new radiator for a 94 4runner 3.0 V6 (friends car).

It appears to be a 3 row (realized after a fair amount of cursing trying to fit it in where the old one came out...)

It's just slightly thicker... it will almost fit if I leave the fan shroud off, but the outlet at the bottom is still getting caught on the power steering rack.

Any suggestions? I remember reading some posts of people going with the 3 row radiator, but I don't remember reading what they had to do to install... prying at the rack sounds like a bad idea : ) I'm considering taking a hacksaw to that lower outlet (it'll lose the little lip, but a tight hose clamp should make up for that...)

Thoughts? : )

I actually had a 3 row 1988 drop right in in a 92 4Runner.
Would not pry or cut, cutting can be enough force to crack the solder weld at the tank.

figured it out - retard moment. Just unhook the power steering rack until it's in place...

doh

oh, btw - were you able to leave the shroud on?

Question, just out of curiosity. Does a three row radiator keep it running cooler?? And why would you need to put a three row in instead of the factory??

The reason for my question is that I recently had my radiator replaced because the mechanic thought it would solve the problem of transmission over heating. They were wrong, but then they added a secondary cooling system (transmission cooler). This seems to have stopped the over heating. Do you think this solved my problem or did they just work around the problem?

They worked around the problem if the tolerances were not kept within specs as was speculated in the other thread. You shouldn't need an additional cooler unless you are making it work harder than normal driving.

They replied that they were very precise with the tolerances and that it is the correct converter installed. What would you consider harder than normal?

yeah, unless you are racing or towing extreme weight often, there is no reason for a tranny cooler... they didn't fix the problem (root cause) just put something in that covers it up. I'm just hoping they didn't get you for too much on that. : )

The three row radiator will cool the engine a little better, yes... as the coolant flows through the radiator, it gets more 'air time' with the 3 row (vs the 2 row). But it's not really going to make a noticeable difference - it was just what they had, and it was a good price.

Harder than normal would include towing near capacity, off-road driving for extended periods in soft material (mud, sand, etc.). There are probably others but, in general, anything that causes the engine to work harder, makes the transmission work harder. I drive in stop and go traffic and moderate hilly expressway driving for long distances and have never had my transmission oil temp warning light show. Driving at speeds above 50 mph where the torque converter locks up is much easier on the transmission oil temperature. Alot of the heating of the transmission fluid is in the torque converter when it is not locked up.

Hello, sorry I didn't follow-up the site was having problems and I've been looking for snow to ski on. :disappoin

The shroud did fit on the 3 row just fine. The reason I went with the older radiator is the tanks on the 92 were falling apart new cracks on the top curve of the tank every 2-3 months. The 1988 tank is a square tank and made of thicker copper, AND I found it on eBay for $9.00 SERIOUSLY! (had to pay $19 for shipping though) so there are the reasons I went with the 3 row, The thermostat should always regulate the temp to the setting of the stat (82 deg C). No NEED for the 3 row 2 rows cool nicely unless your towing with the AC on in southern nevada in august!
Transmission coolers are a must if you are planning to keep the rig as it will add life to your tranny! Heat is the #1 killer of transmissions the little cooler on the frame isn't enough and it gets plugged with mud and then very hard to clean out. I lost the tranny in my 92 because of heat and a plugged cooler. I don’t ever want to see the AT TEMP lite again!!
Remember: The "convenience light" only comes on just before you are about to be GREATLY inconvenienced!