Radiator Replacement 2000 A/C 4x4

Well, the truck sprung a small leak...Got to replace the radiator. My shop quoted me $350 for the radiator ("at our cost") and two hours labor. I'd do it myself, but I don't have a garage, marginal tools and it's raining all week here. I shopped online and found the radiators as low as $89.99 on RockAuto and the most expensive was a Denso at Napa, $249.99. I think they have me confused with the Rad for the 5.7, not the 4.7. Seems a bit pricey. What do you all think, and who's done one? Thanks in advance.

 

Napa is running a promo and you can get the Denso for 20% off right now if you order it online. I'd get new hoses and radiator cap while it's all apart.

 

2 hours of labor isn't terrible but you really don't need much in the way of tools to do this job. It's a really easy job. Unless the leak is really bad you can probably wait for it to stop raining.

I agree with @Festerw Might as well replace those other parts while you're at it. I'd do the thermostat and seal too. Denso is the way to go.

 

I 3rd the above opinions. 10mm, 12mm sockets to get it out and a couple screwdrivers to remove the hoses. The fan shroud splits at the lower half to facilitate removing the radiator with extreme ease. It just snaps in place. If you crawl under the truck, and look at the shroud, you'll see what I mean about it being split. Makes it super easy to remove.

 

Awhile back the radiator went out on my sons. He was quoted $800 (which he didn't have). I told him, "You're about to learn how to swap out a radiator". We changed out the radiator, (OEM replacement) put new hoses in, changed the oil, and changed out the air filter all for about $350. We used minimal tools and were done in two hours. It was done in the parking lot of his college with minimal tools under an EZ up because it was raining. Watch a youtube video, you can do this.

 

My Toyota dealership sells the denso radiator and I believe I paid $157 for it, paid more than online because it was in stock and I needed to replace it that night. I've also seen a few issues with it being shipped poorly so it was nice to not have to worry about that.

 

What everyone else said plus the Wally Wurrld sells Valvoline ‘Zerex’ Asian Red for about $13 a gallon.

Drain the pet cock at the pass side engine block and remove and drain the hose at the oil (filter) cooler which is the lowest point in the coolant system. Get it all out. Blow out the heater core.

Put back about 3.4 Gallons of fresh.

 

Thanks, guys. I'm not doing the labor. I'm done busting knuckles and getting soaked in the rain doing it. The big thing for me is the price they are quoting for the radiator. I don't mind paying someone to do it, but what they quoted is nowhere near what I'm finding online. I'm going to bargain with them and see what happens. I have other shops available, but they are weeks out in taking it in. So far, it's manageable, but it could get worse at any time. I've replaced the radiators in every vehicle I've owned. I'm 62 and kind of over the DIY stuff. I was just wondering if what I'm finding online is right and how bad they are off on cost.
Yeah, hoses, clamps, thermostat...All good and operating properly, but I get it. I'll get them done. Thanks!

 

In that case, just tell them you're supplying the parts. Buy the radiator and take it to them.

 

My original radiator finally sprung a leak. I watched a YouTube video on how to do it prior tackling it. I had the whole thing done in less than an hour but I was in a hurry. It’s extremely simple to do so a shop charging two hours isn’t unreasonable.

My issue was I didn’t time to wait for a denso so my friend who owns a Napa sold me the Napa one at cost for $140+/-. The denso one can be bought on Amazon for $132. New hoses, new rad cap is a good idea, maybe even a new tstat (OEM only).

Denso 221-0517 Radiator

$188 Denso 221-0517 Radiator

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049GHV3U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_gmz0FbFNXX5DF)

 

I'd tackle it without any issue. As others have stated, do hoses and thermostat while you're at it, and flush out the heater core in the process. One thing to remember is to make sure there are no animals or children around when messing with the antifreeze. AND make sure you put in the proper kind of antifreeze. Let us know how it works out.

 

I completely understand. I've done a number of projects in my life that I told myself I'll never do again. I would at the very least see if someone will do the labor if you purchase parts.

 

Everything is very EXPENSIVE these days. Nothing is cheap and the internets confuse people when it comes to price shopping as different areas and markets vary. Compound the fact that many shops techs can’t connect two dots or work their way out of a wet paper bag compounds the problems more.

Good shops that I’ve spoken with will not use owner provided parts. They also have a wait list.

 

I used to tell people when they would bring their own parts, it’s like bring your own eggs and bacon to IHOP. That was back in my previous life when I wrote service.

 

Got that! I was a service writer for a year or so...Toughest thing was getting the right parts. Thankfully, they can have me in as soon as today. Guess I'll pay a few extra $ for convenience. The Tundra's my daily driver, I have a 35 mile round trip and kind of live out in the boonies.

 

I'm willing to pay a good shop for quality work for something I can't or don't want to do. Labor rates of $135 an hour aren't outrageous when you factor in the facility, equipment, training, etc. that goes into making a good mechanic. It makes me a little crazy, though, when they quote a job based on the guides (NADA?). I was quoted $440 by a shop to change the plugs on my Tundra. I did it myself for less than $20 in less than 30 minutes. When I called out the shop owner on it he said, "The guide says it should take 3 hours so that's what we charge." And I said, "But you know these trucks - you have one yourself - and you know it doesn't take 3 hours." We agreed to disagree and I found a new shop.

I asked a different shop about changing the steering column shaft seal and the guy said, "We have no idea how long it will take, we've never done one before but it sounds like a big job. I can just give you an estimate of $200-450." I thought that was a reasonable response and decided to do it myself.

Anyway, good luck getting your rig back on the road.

 

Sounds like a plan. It'll be one less thing to worry about..

 

Think I paid $85 for my replacement radiator. Going strong after 2 years. Replaced it when I did my timing belt.

 

Follow up: Guys, I had the shop do it and went with the expensive OEM Denso. $450, all done, 12 mo/12Kmile warranty. Every shop in town has no appointments available for two weeks, my dealer got me in next day at 10am, done by noon. This is my daily driver and I have a long drive to work, I live in the sticks, no public transportation. Yes, I may have paid a bit too much, but I like the security of the warranty. Thanks again for all the great advice, you all rock!

 

That's not a terrible price from the dealer. Convenience can far outweigh the cost in some instances.

 

Sometimes we have more money than time. Sounds like you made a good decision.