3rd gen 4runner Coolant Flush and Radiator Replacement

This week we’re swapping a radiator and spilling some coolant on our shoes to keep Jills 3rd gen 1997 4runner running like a champ.
Radiator Grill Clips:
amzn.to/3eICLup
Denso Radiator:
amzn.to/3eOKbfN
Toyota Coolant:
amzn.to/3BF8yp4
Cooling System Cleaner:
amzn.to/3RJY1yt
Video Contents
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00:00 Intro
I've started cashing in all the free jokes. The links above may be affiliate links. Please use them to help support me making more content (and a fool of myself). Enjoy!

[@brandonshiflet936]

I picked up a ‘99 4runner with 315k miles about 6 months ago. I learned the hard way that you should take this guys advice and go ahead and replace the radiator. She left me stranded with a cracked radiator about 200 miles from home. Now it’s definitely time to replace it so here we are!

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

You got this!

[@vidaliniguez1]

thanks for the tip man! i’m looking to buy the same year with same mileage , how’s your rig running after the new rad install ? any other replacements to look out for ?

[@brandonshiflet936]

@@vidaliniguez1 she been running great since installing the new radiator! I don’t drive it much though. I just beat it around behind the house and run errands in it. I love it though. If I ever break it too bad I’ll definitely get another one

[@franciscomirandaiii4000]

Great video. Going same direction for my ‘02 T4R. Great joke-“it’s like listening to a real old man peeing in the middle of the night”.

[@runnerxa]

You can also keep the aftermarket transmission cooler (since 3rd gen 4Runners doesn't come with stock xmsn cooler) in line with the radiator's xmsn cooler to get even better cooling. As long as you know you have to replace the radiator every 150,000mi ish, you will likely not run into a strawberry milkshake issue. Alternatively, like you said, bypass the radiator xmsn cooler, and never have to worry about SMOD. I have over 250k on my 1999 4Runner, 170k of those were supercharged, and have yet to run into the strawberry milkshake issue. I replaced my original radiator at around 157,000 mi not because it was having issues but because I didn't want to worry about SMOD. Once you add the aftermarket transmission cooler, your routine drive transmission temps will be around 140F, barely peaking to 170F on hills/mountains. Since you have a 1997 4Runner, you cannot pull transmission temp through OBD (that feature begin with the 99+ 4Runner and there is only one transmission temp unlike the 2003+ 4Runner/GX).

[@rottdogsparky]

Epic editing and camera work looking forward to more videos! I purchased a 3rd Gen recently as well

[@authenthuse5165]

Nailed it! I love this channel and am always on the look out for a new video! My favorite joke was "more toxic than a blind date with R Kelley!!" :D :D

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

Thanks!

[@LikeOnATree]

Awesome video, love the jokes too!

[@lolotus4borderless]

That's some serious stuff you are dealing with now ;)

[@mattrox1221]

Great video!!!! Keep ‘em coming! Hope you get more followers soon!

[@rushthezeppelin]

Good idea to change your fan clutch while you are in there. Also see some people that say get after your thermostat at that time. Probably also easier to do if you time it around when you are doing the timing belt/water pump combo.

[@MySpace662]

If I'm not mistaken, your model V6 4Runner has a bleed valve behind the driver side front wheel.

[@brianfl33916]

Get ready for a transmission swap soon on that GX460. It’s becoming a plague on the 2010-2014. Ammco wants over $6k for a rebuilt one and the Lexus dealer wants $8k. I bought 2011 last summer for $22k with 114k mile. I put 3k miles on it in 6 months before the warning light came on the dash. Ran a scan. P2714 solenoid code. It shifts fine now but I’ve been told on forums that no matter what I do it will then slowly degrade over the next few months. This was the first used vehicle I purchased in over 12 years. I bought it because the reliability rating was so high and previous Gen GX470 is still going strong. Now I’m reminded of why I bought new for so long. A transmission swap would wipe out an entire year of savings for our family. I’m clearing the code and selling to CarMax later this week while it’s still working.

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

Oh, man. That sucks. Although, I'd probably just pay the $6K and keep driving her. That's a lot cheaper than a car payment. Especially with todays interest rates. I hope you have better luck on the next one.

[@cybrah]

Im getting ready to do the same procedure in mine. How many gallons of Toyota coolant did you use? Thanks

[@starforcefighter]

Get 3 containers of Red Asian coolant to be safe, for some reason his coolant was green when he did his flush. It's suppose to be red Asian coolant🙋

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

Green belonged to previous owner. Toyota Red went in.

[@starforcefighter]

@@WastingTimeInTheWoods That's great to know, great video by the way🙋

[@kevinbui1399]

What happens to the distilled water that is still in the engine block during the flush? Does it just get mixed with the new added coolant and if so doesn’t it change the 50:50 mix ratio?

[@WastingTimeInTheWoods]

Since the drain is at the bottom of the radiator most of the system is emptied each flush. Everything in the engine that is above that drain will evacuate due to gravity.