Well my GX may be angry with my because I considered replacing it with a later model explorer or its jealous that we just paid off my wife's GS350 but it has sprung a substantial leak on the radiator. I was able to avoid a total overheat because I smelled coolant and saw the gauge climbing before I stopped and found some water. By the time I got it home the tank was completely empty again but running at normal temps.

So who has replaced there radiator? Any non-OEM units that appeared to be high quality?

 

I went with the Denso from Rock Auto.

 

Well, The Denso rad is good.

Leaking water not so good. You also need to inspect the fluid tubes that rise up off the block near the firewall. They start to leak where they meet the connection at the block.

Mine is showing small leak, which means I need to replace those pipes soon.

 

I have replaced the radiator. I also used a Denso. It is a very easy job if you take off the fan. You can do it leaving the fan in place and just taking the shroud off but you have much less clearance to get it in there and it is a little of a pain but is doable. Don't ask me how I know....
I would rate it a 2-3 out of 10 in difficulty so it is easy (at least to me).

 

I replaced with OEM about 2 years ago. They get to a certain age and the plastic end caps just give out.

Other locations are possible sources of leaks as well. Like the riser tubes like Lexus4321 ran into.
I had to replace the throttle body (and did the adjacent hoses .. because they were there) when it started forming red crystals.

Surprisingly, I'm still on the factory radiator hoses. They haven't leaked or started getting hard & crunchy yet. I have a coolant change coming up in about a year - I'll probably do them then just because of age.

Chip H.

 

chiph9, that's funny. I also am on the original hoses at 202K miles and they are still flexible and look to be in great shape. I also agree the end caps of the radiator do give out (mine did) and that is just the way these metal to plastic radiators fail usually and is not just on this platform. Most car radiators are this way now since it is much cheaper to manufacture.

 

I put a TYC in our 07 ES350 about 130K ago and it is holding up well. I just put a CST in my 07 Tacoma; did an 1800 mile trip to Tx from Ca, and back, with no issues. Have about 150K on a CST in 98 Sienna; also no issues.

 

I placed the order today for the Denso rad from rock auto. I'll probably install it myself. I'm tempted to just have it installed as part of the timing belt replacement that I will not be doing installing myself but the timing isn't likely to work out.

A bit of a sidetrack to this thread but is $1400 too much for an all-included timing belt/water pump replacement?

 

Dealer price should be about $1100-1200, unless you're also getting all the idlers, tensioners, and the front main seal replaced as well.
But maybe inflation has hit?

Chip H.

 

I paid around $900 for a timing belt, water pump replacement from a Toyota/Lexus independent shop that has a good reputation. They took pics of the tear down and sent to me too which was cool....

 

i went aftermarket rad from radiatorexpress about 2 yrs ago after my oem original leaked at the crimp on the end tank...

been solid so far...

 

I got the Denso radiator installed yesterday. It took me about 2.5 hours. If I had to do it again, I would just remove the fan. Pulling the radiator and trying to leave the shroud turned out to be a big PITA. It may have made the lower driver side mount nut easier to reach. The only other part that gave me trouble was the small spring-clamps that both seemed to be turned in the most impossible to reach position.

Thanks to all for the help...

 

I've ordered 2 Denso radiators for 2 different Lexus, from Rock Auto. Both worked great, no issues.

It's not the same Denso as the ones made for Lexus is my understanding, but it was quality. I would recommend though using OEM hoses. Had an issue where an aftermarket was just a bit off and it rubbed on a belt.

Honestly, the factory radiators that come with the cars aren't great anyway. On the last gen GX I had, they pretty much all leaked at the same spot as some sort of widespread defect.