Newbie buy (questions about '97 radiator/water-pump replacements)

**NOTE** I posted this in the introduction section and made a mistake in assuming it was for my mad ramblings. Taking it here!***

Newbie to the Toyota world and I've spent the last week looking at forums and youtube and reddits and going down the proverbial rabbithole and falling more in love every day. I just bought this '97 4Runner from a private seller here:



Sadly it's time to let my third gen go. 1997 Limited Toyota 4Runner with 4 wheel drive and factory E-locker. Meticulously taken care of during my ownership over the prior 6 years (150,000mi - 200,000) with tons of maintenance and records. I am third owner. Prior owners had truck in Texas, I picked it up in Colorado and it's been in Arizona since. Never seen salt or rust. All work professionally done.

Rides on 3" Toytec Boss suspension with SPC upper control arms, rear Bilstein 5125 struts, tundra front brake upgrade, near-new General Grabber AT tires. Oil changes with OEM filters every 5k, tires rotated every 10k! 4wd high/low and rear locker all activate appropriately. Windows, rear window, and moon roof all function. Truck drives straight as an arrow and the legendary 3.4 V6 with automatic transmission is smooth as butter!

See maintenance below: - timing belt ~130k - weather tech mats front/back - Brake master cylinder and front brake hose replacement - Front CV axles replaced 160k - throttle body, fuel injectors, air temp sensor cleaned - spark plugs and wires replaced 160k - differential fluids flushed 170k - 4x innovations weld-on sliders - valve covers and upper intake manifold replacement 180k - catalytic converter replacement 180k - front upper/lower ball bearings, rear axle seals/bearings 190k - OEM steering rack, rack bushing, inner and outer tie rods replaced 195k - thermostat replaced 195k Truck in fantastic mechanical and cosmetic shape. Rear seats rarely sat in during my ownership. Carpet under weathertechs is perfect.

Small coolant leak, likely due for timing belt/water pump.

Otherwise turn-key ready. Used as commuter with occasional camping trip - no wheeling. Has some exterior scratches usual for a 27 year old vehicle. No body paint fade or discoloration. AC cold, heat hot. I have records for nearly all the above maintenance. Good on emissions through March 2026. Heck, I even have the original sale pricing sheet and manuals.

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It's a beauty inside and out and i'm as excited as anyone else here would be with their hands on their own 4runner. That being said, I want to get off on the right foot and tackle some of the issues before they become headaches. The timing belt/water pump and a new radiator (also maybe an external transmission cooler to completely avoid the chance of the milkshake)

I wanted to come here to ask if anyone had solid advice. My first concern was the leak obviously. When coming to purchase at his house, there was a very small puddle underneath the grill on the drivers side and he was pretty transparent about it. Said the garage he takes it to weren't TOO concerned with it, but said the water pump was a likely culprit. I inspected the hoses and couldn't find any obvious leaks.

I've been driving it for a week but not noticing any more leakage. However, I want to get to work on getting rid of the problem. Now when I popped the hood on cold, I noticed the reservoir tank was below L (I know it's a heat overflow, but still would feel more comfy with it at proper level). My next concern was what fluid was he using. He was pretty meticulous with OEM oil filters and keeping everything in shape, but the shop record (he had a good stack thankfully) said the last place used UNIVERSAL. I'd rather flush everything asap and get the LONG LIFE 50/50 from Toyota but I want to hear thoughts on that too if anyone cares to chime in. I hope to get this done in the next week or two but in the meantime would feel better if I could fill the radiator. When driving, no overheating on the gauge but since an AZ summer is right around the corner, i'd rather sooner than later. Right now, the fluid in the reservoir looks yellowish and the radiator flow on top looks clear-ish. If I WERE to fill up, would I be safe using a universal fluid temporarily?






I took off skid plate to check bottom of radiator as well to make sure there wasn't any spillage or signs of the dreaded pink froth, but all looks clear thankfully.


I saw on youtube and on forums that this is a pretty easy as pie swap. I found a OEM radiator on the toyota shop: part number- 16410-AZ011

I figure I can buy hoses at auto zone or o'reillys. Is it best/necessary to OEM for this radiator or go for a Denso on Amazon? I've heard a lot have gone the Denso route but just had issues with draincock or other alignments. Then ill pick up a few gallons of the OEM long life coolant- 00272-SLLC2

New radiator cap necessary?

I figure once I get what I need, I can tackle the replacement pretty quick. But my next wonder was with draining out the old coolant to make room for new in engine. Saw plenty of videos going through the diluted gallons of water gallons to flush the old stuff out before replacing so if you have any advice on that, all ears. Sounds like that part will take a whole day with waiting for the engine to cool but it is what it is.

With the Water Cooler/Timing belt change out, I figure this is a big one. I want to buy the kit and have a local mechanic take care of it since I am not at a level of confidence to tackle this myself and without the proper tools. Everyone says this Ebay store is very reliable for OEM parts and I found what I think I need to assure it's done with proper replacement parts:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/180729034728

After forking out the cash for radiator and water pump, I figure it's worth it to have the replacement for the latter done correctly. I just don't know what to expect with cost. I'll have to shop around but i've heard it ranges from $500 to $1200. Assuming they accept my already bought parts, hoping labor won't exceed $800 but fingers crossed. I know it's a meticulous job.

I would love to know thoughts on which to get taken care of first if it matters.

Those are the major, right up front issues I want to take care of to have a little peace of mind for some extra few thousand miles in the hot desert but all ears on any other advice. You guys are amazing on here and I hate being the newbie amatuer, but if i'm already in love with this 4runner I can only imagine a year from now when I give her some TLC.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk. I appreciate you all

 

Sounds like a good plan.

I will say, TOYOTA hoses fit better. The hoses from the big box stores will work but do not line up perfectly. I bought some Gates hoses and got rid of them for the TOYOTA ones at the next T-Belt change. TOYOTA parts simply fit.

 

Yeah, get a new radiator cap.

 

Welcome. Are you in the Phoenix area?

 

That's a damn good point. I think I was just confused on which hoses to order on the Toyota shop site

 

Down yonder in the dirty T area!

 

Noted lol, appreciate it

 

Sorry. I'm not familiar with "Dirty T".

 

Presumably Tucson

 

Thats my guess as well but I hate to presume too much.

 

yep, Tucson!

 

I think my main question is whether or not it's okay to temporarily use universal fluid until i change out radiator/water pump. And also which is better to do first if it even matters

 

OK. I live in Tempe and could kind of see that as Dirty T...
So my shop suggestions might not do you any good.

If you already have universal coolant in the system, you might as well just add the same on a temporary basis.

Not sure what you are asking on which to do first. Water pump and radiator might as well be done at the same time because you are going to have to drain the coolant either way so you might as well just do it once. It's also easier to do the water pump with the radiator out of the way.

 

hahahah good point. Good ol' Tempe. Oh just because i'm planning on having a local asian car garage take care of the water pump, timing belt and do an inspection for any hidden headaches (seals etc). I really want to do the radiator myself just because of pride but don't have necessary tools for pump/belt right now. Just wondering if it just makes more sense to have them do the radiator while everything is being done anyway because it's all right there. Maybe feels stupid to drain coolant from old radiator, flush engine coolant with distilled water, install new radiator, put new coolant in and then have them do the pump/belt change etc. I'm probably overthinking it because i'm juggling work

 

Gotcha. In that case, if you can do the radiator just before you take it to the shop you could just leave the distilled water in it. They could also collect and re-install any new coolant but I would worry about potential contamination.

You might consider swallowing your pride and just let the shop do the radiator. They will have to remove the shroud, fan, and clutch anyways. And even though the TB/WP can be done without pulling the radiator, for the sake of my knuckles and the integrity of the radiator, I would always pull it. And the shop likely will too.

 

Copy that, good advice. Appreciate you