Figure I should update this since I'm back now.
Ended up getting a new radiator, single core, plastic end tanks, straight stock replacement, cost $175 delivered, no issues at all so far, took less than an hour start to finish to replace.
This is what she looks like now, not too much of a change but anyway. I have:
- Replaced stock headunit and heater controls with an aftermarket facia kit and Alpine double din, nice upgrade and it cleans up the dash a bit.
- Removed plastic under engine splash guard thing, plastic engine cover, kick panel under steering column, since they're just a huge PITA and mostly held on with press clips that break really easily
- Wangled my way into a set of 5 16x8" Outback rims for $350 in perfect nick then wrapped them up in Bridgestone Dueler D697 A/Ts (215/65R16C) which are cracking offroad for what I paid
- Wrapped the stock 17" alloys in Bridgestone Potenza RE003's (215/55R17) which are amazing on road for what I paid
- Got some roof racks for $70 and fitted a 2.5x2m awning up to it (have taken it off until I intend to use it, only held on with 4 bolts to its easy to steal)
It had it's 300000 service. I took it to AM Auto on the Sunshine Coast since I have little/no experience with this engine/automatics in general and figured it was better for someone else to find all the gremlins.
Milestone, I put almost exactly 30000 on her in one year of ownership.
Turns out it's all schmick as ever, timing chain is still nice and quiet. Although I need to replace the rear diff bushes, front swaybar endlinks and one of the lower control arm bushes. All of which were fine when I bought her so I figure they've babied it for so long its worn into position and since I've been thrashing her its loosened it all up and shown the age a bit more. Anyway, nothing major.
I'll stop writing this book and get back to you all when I've decided whether or not to still lift her
Cheers,
Tom.
