Re: Recommendation for Brand of Replacement Toyota Radiator?
That's pretty much been my experience with junk yards as well....just slightly more than what something costs new...
I ordered a Spectra Premium from Rockauto this morning. $86.28 including shipping.
We'll see.
There are horror stories on the net regarding most any brand you want to mention. So many "Brands" are nothing more than the label slapped onto the same boxes after they arrive from China.
I run into this issue every time I need to purchase auto parts. The industry should be ashamed of themselves IMHO....
Thanks for the replies guys!
Chuck
The Spectra will serve you well. I have installed dozens and dozens of their radiators, gas tanks, filler necks, etc. It will should look just like the factory radiator (in my experience). Some one else mentioned Modine, They are a good choice too (forgot about them). In reality like others have mentioned, most auto makers don't make there own radiators (short of GM).
I would avoid autozone radiators like the plague. Their construction is usually nothing like the original you pull out. The fitment is questionable at times. And their is a clear difference in the lack of cooling fins VS the factory installed unit.
There is a reason Autozone parts have a lifetime warranty. Autozone would be bankrupted by the lawyers fees for all the class action lawsuits filed against them if they didn't have their warranty.
You mentioned that you have read bad stories about all manufacturers products, but let me ask you this; How many times have you bought a product, any product, and posted on the Internet how great it was when you're satisfied with it? Most people never do this, they only start posting horror stories when somethings bad. Hence a bias to-wards negative product stories.
It would be easy for us all to draw the conclusion that all boats suck, based on the tens of thousands of posts at this website. Of course we all know that saying that wouldn't be true....... most of the time
