REPLACING OLD RADIATOR 1996 Tacoma

[jdizil45]

I need to replace my old radiator in my truck. I'm not sure how I was going to go about it. I was just going to purchase a new radiator and figure out a way to replace it. Does anyone know if I need to replace anything else as welll. I figure I was going to replace my hoses too. If you have any tips. warnings, or anything else that would help please post. THank you.

[Flash75]

I would change radiator hoses as you planned, I would also change the heater hoses and the drive belts. Belts are much easier to change with the radiator out. Water pump? I'm not one to change everything just because I'm working in the area.

Later Tacoma shop manuals, 2003, say the grill should be removed for radiator replacement, I don't understand why. They don't discuss what to do if you have air conditioning. If you do have AC I think you may need to remove the AC condenser mounting bolts and move it aside to get the radiator out. Don't loosen the refrigerant lines. After everything is back together fill the system with a coolant mix, mix your own or buy pre-mixed, add coolant to bring the reservoir about half way between the low and full marks. Start the engine and check for leaks, let the engine run to normal temp. watch the heat gauge. After the engine cools down you may need to add more coolant the the reservoir

Clifton

[bangbg]

Originally Posted by Flash75

Later Tacoma shop manuals, 2003, say the grill should be removed for radiator replacement, I don't understand why. They don't discuss what to do if you have air conditioning. Clifton

In my experience removing the grill makes access to the radiator mounting bolts much easier. Removing the grill is a snap. You still lift the radiator vertically to remove it.

Just a hint, my truck is a 2000 X-tended cab 2WD Prerunner and the radiator that comes in it is the 4WD radiator not the 2WD. It is almost never in stock and has to be special ordered.

The 2WD radiator will bolt in but it is about 3" shorter top to bottom, so the shroud will not fit.