How to Replace Radiator 00-06 Toyota Tundra V8

Difficulty: Advanced · About 100 min · Toyota Tundra

Replace the radiator on a 2000-2006 Toyota Tundra with the V8 engine.

Steps

1. Disconnect the battery

   Disconnect the negative battery cable with a 10mm wrench.

2. Drain the coolant

   Remove the skid plate's eight 12mm bolts and pull it off, then with a pan ready, open the drain plug and let it drain.

3. Access the radiator

   Remove the engine cover's two 10mm nuts, remove the upper hose clamp's 10mm nut, loosen the intake hose clamp and pull it aside, then loosen the upper radiator hose clamps with pliers and pull the hoses off.

4. Remove the old radiator

   Remove the fan shroud's four 10mm bolts and the radiator's four 12mm bolts, loosen the lower hose clamps with pliers and pull the hoses off (with a pan ready), then push the fan shroud aside while lifting the radiator up and out.

5. Install the new radiator

   Seat it using the locating slots, start the four 12mm bolts and the shroud's four 10mm bolts and tighten them, then refit the hoses and tighten their clamps.

6. Reconnect the intake and hoses

   Refit the intake hose and tighten its clamps, refit the engine cover and its bolts, reconnect the air sensor harness, then reconnect any other disconnected hoses.

7. Refill the radiator

   Tighten the drain plug, reconnect the lower hoses and their clamps, refit the skid plate and its bolts, add coolant, refit the cap, reconnect the battery, then run and briefly drive the truck to check for leaks, topping off as needed.

Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.