Surf Radiator Replacement

[Firstoneman]

Hello:
I've got a leak in top end of my Surf's radiator. On further inspection looks like there was an accident…so was lied to by seller. Anyway…I'm not crying still feel it was reasonable deal. But, I now believe I should replace the radiator and a/c cooling units. Don't want the wife stranded or suffering in the Moz heat…35C tomorrow. Now, being we are marching toward high summer I'd like to take care of it asap.
So…wonder what my options are? It's a 3RZ engine. Is there an aftermarket solution that is superior to OEM?
Thanks much!

[pietpetoors]

The engine bay looks very simular to the SOuth African IFS Hilux.
Maybe try the 1999-2005 model IFS 2.7 Hilux, the 3RZ.

[Knuppel]

Post/ send me your vin number, I will take a look see if there were any similarities with other hilux models.

[Knuppel]

What about this one

1640075260RL RADIATOR HILUX 3RZ 2.7 (98-05) 1 X R 990.00

from this post!

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=37282#p443934

[pietpetoors]

Is your Surf an automatic or manual.
From the pic you posted in the battery thread it seems like it is auto.

I measured the radiator of my 2.7 Hilux yesterday and it is about 1 cm wider than that of the Surf and vertically the 2.7 Hilux's holes for the bolts are further apart, but there is enough space to make it fit.

If your Surf is auto then it might not work.
Not sure if it is standard on all Surfs, but our Surf's radiator has an oil cooler for the gearbox oil. Two think pipes run in and out of the radiator and runs to the gear box.

Just check the bottom tank of you radiator to see if it also have those two thin pipes.

Our Surf has Lexus V8 with Lexus Auto box, so I am not sure if it is the standard radiator that is in it.

[pietpetoors]

KZ Radiator just a little bit wider than the Surf's.
Here you can see where the original radiator holes sit compared to the Surf's. I used the existing holes in the Surf and drilled new holes in the radiator housing.

KZ Radiator

[Firstoneman]

It's been two years since I posted to this topic. I let it fall through the cracks. Never thanked anyone for being kind enough to direct me to options. Please forgive me for that callousness. AND, I never followed up with the solution I chose.

I ended up having a guy here in Maputo build me a new radiator from scratch using a copper dual-core (which he sourced from Durban). He also built a new, all metal housing. It has done a a marvelous job and I got away from the plastic bits which separate from the metal housing - none of the crazy glue up leak problems. I did not replace the a/c cooling unit, because it was not leaking, though some of the fins are beat up pretty badly.

I am VERY pleased with the results. That said, the dual-core copper is overkill and pretty certain I'd be content with a single core. I'm not sure what conditions would make this overheat now.

Once again, thank you everyone who weighed in two years ago...if I was in a different locale with easier access to a volume of decent second-hand options, I would most likely have searched the options mentioned. At the beginning of owning this Surf, I learned quickly that I was very spoiled by the solid and reliable OME and second-hand parts supply chain I had back in the US. It's much more difficult to source parts here in Mozambique - and do it with any semblance of speed. My patience has been tested that's for sure.

Thanks again.
Cheers!