HZJ105 Radiator Bash Plate

If you own a live axle 100 Series cruiser, it’ll have the 1HZ diesel motor in it. There is also a fair chance of it having the factory alloy bullbar, or one similar.

This model (as opposed to the IFS models) didn’t get a bash plate or and form of protection in front of the radiator. If you look under there you’ll see that it is easy for any stick coming up to jam into the Air Conditioning condenser, and possibly into the radiator as well. If you have seen the 4WD Monthly video of Tasmania and the Prado with a smashed bottom radiator tank you’ll know exactly what I mean.

They also have a tendency to suck up every bit of seed and fluff through this gap and block the bottom of the radiator. As there is generally no foam seal between the cores, it gets into places that are a bugger to clean out.

I bought 2 strips of 40mm high density open cell foam from Clark Rubber for about $5 and jammed it in there to fill this gap. This is what the normal factory fitment is and I see the latest year HZJ105 has this foam installed. This will improve airflow through the airconditioner core, reduce recirculating airflow, and prevent seeds and bugs getting between the cores where they can’t be cleaned.

I then bought a sheet of 3mm checkerplate aluminium measuring 610mm x 470mm for $30. 2mm would have been adequate, as it’s only to deflect sticks, not to drop the car onto.

You can use the factory bashplate and steering damper bolts to secure the rear. The holes are all 8mm and are at 100mm, 180mm, 303mm, 474mm.

Once the rear is bolted up it is easy for force a bend in it with a bit of timber and the jack. I didn’t want to have to deal with loose nuts, so used tek screws to secure the front. Captive nuts are difficult with allow unless you have access to rivnuts.

This now keeps all manner of gunk out of the radiator. It should help prevent surges of water coming in on water crossings, and protect it from errant sticks coming up at it.

Cooling may be an issue, but I just towed 3500kg of trailer for 200km and had no worries on the highway. It got hot on the range, but it always has done so. I wouldn’t expect low speed cooling to be affected as that is primarily draw through from the fan. High speed is a more likely problem, and has been fine. The IFS cruisers have a slotted plate instead of a solid one, and it would be possible to slot this plate if it is a problem. It does block some airflow to the power steering loop, but again, I would expect this to get enough air from the surrounding airflow, and the metal is it bolted to.

Cheap easy protection.