Second Hand Nissan Cabstar Radiator

The engine code is the single most useful detail you can supply when sourcing a used Cabstar radiator, because the cooling system is built around the engine rather than the badge or body. You can find your engine code on your V5C logbook or by running a VIN check. Give this code to the breaker alongside your fuel type (diesel in almost all UK Cabstars) and they can cross-reference stock accurately.

The Cabstar ran across two main generations sold in the UK: the F70 series (broadly mid-1990s to 2006) and the F80 series (2006 onwards), so these represent a genuine generation boundary. Radiator dimensions, hose positions and mounting points can differ between the two, meaning a straight swap is not guaranteed. Confirm fitment with the breaker against both registration numbers before buying, as they can check the actual part numbers against your engine code.

Both years sit within the F80 generation, which ran from 2006, so there is a reasonable chance of compatibility if the engine codes match. However, mounting and ancillary details can change quietly mid-production without a formal facelift, so you should confirm with the breaker against both registrations rather than assume the years alone guarantee a fit. Matching engine codes is the most important step.

No, trim level does not affect radiator fitment on the Cabstar — the cooling system follows the engine specification, not the specification grade or cab style. What matters is your engine code, fuel type, and whether you have a manual or automatic gearbox. Expect minor cosmetic differences between donor and recipient vehicles (cab colour, interior finish) which have no bearing on whether the radiator itself will fit.

Yes, gearbox type can influence the cooling circuit because an automatic transmission may have an integrated transmission oil cooler built into or connected to the radiator, whereas a manual gearbox vehicle would not. If your Cabstar is an automatic, tell the breaker this specifically so they can supply a radiator with the correct cooler connections. Fitting a manual-spec radiator to an automatic can cause transmission overheating, so do not assume any same-engine radiator will do.

Engine displacement alone is not enough, because different 3.0-litre units used in the Cabstar across its production life have different engine codes and may have different cooling requirements, hose diameters and fitment points. Always quote your precise engine code (from your V5C or a VIN check) to the breaker rather than just the displacement. This is the most reliable way to ensure the radiator you are quoted will actually fit your vehicle.