Tru-Cool transmission cooler #4454 for 1st gen Tacos and 4runners

Do you plan on installing it before or after the stock cooler?

 

Decisions, decisions....haha

IDK, that's a good question. Benefits of both?

 

Installing after the stock cooler allows the ATF to enter the trans cooler versus trans-aux cooler-stock cooler-trans.

 

If you drive normal and don't do a whole lot of towing/hauling or offroad hard, a gauge isnt needed. Otherwise, its more of a peace of mind thing

Really wont make a huge difference either way.
The engine coolant will always be above the air temp (by a sizable amount considering its usually at 150-190F coming from the engine).

If you put the cooler after the radiator, it will probably keep the trans fluid temps lower (probably best for southern states/hot states), and if you put it before the radiator cooler, I could prevent you from over cooling the fluid (probably best for Northern States).

Again, I think we are splitting hairs. I dont think it will make that big of a difference either way. Honestly, I plan route the cooling in a way that makes the least amount of fuse during install

 

I agree about splitting hairs. I'll install mine after the stock cooler and like you, I'll do it to make the install easier. Now I just need to figure out how to install it after the stock cooler.

 

Johnnie has it arrived?

 

Not yet.

 

I've been checking the tracking # since yesterday and shows the same thing that it's been electronically received but I gave it to lady at Downey post office yesterday around 8:30am

 

Right now it says it's in Bellflower or something like that.

 

Im going to purchase a 4590 and am willing to sell the 4454 I purchase for the original price if anyone is interested. I just opened the box to insure all parts were in order, nothing more.

 

https://www.4runners.com/attachments/967026_587406297958480_1629000900_o-jpg.78/

 

For those of you who installed the cooler, does it matter what hose you connect at each end?

I guess my question is, will ATF the flow in any direction based on how I connect the sender and return hoses?

 

It won't matter so long as its a full loop. Out trans - in and out one cooler - in and out the other cooler - back to the trans. The fluid will flow free entering or exiting those coolers, again, so long as its is all one big loop out of and into the trans.

 

Perfect, thanks. I'll probably install it this weekend.

 

Here are my installation pictures. BTW, my return line is on the passenger side. To confirm, I removed the passenger side hose from the radiator and ATF came flying out of the radiator. After cleaning up my mess I removed the driver side hose and ATF came out of the hose. I know most Tacomas are on the driver side but my 2001, 2.7, 4 cyl. always tends to always be different.

Also, I went and bought 8' of ATF 3/8" hose, NOT fuel line that they'll try to sell you. Most mechanics use fuel line and I'm sure it will work but my paranoia took over so I bought ATF hose. I ended up using about 7 feet. The return hose connected to the aux cooler was leaking so I had to tighten the clamp even tighter than I already did, so make sure you get all your clamps nice and tight. The oem squeeze clamps don't work very well because the 3/8" hose is bigger than the oem hose. They don't get very tight.

Sender hose on top, return on bottom.


Mounting brackets.




Only one mount on the passenger side but it's solid since it's mounted near the middle of the cooler. I had to use a long piece of aluminum strip since the brackets that came with the cooler wouldn't reach.




From the inside coming through the hole.


Plenty of room for air to get around in there.


From the outside.

 

Nice johnnie I want to do mine to but don't know where hoses go.
Did you go to the radiator and back?

 

Also where did you buy ATF hose?

 

The radiator has two hoses atf hoses. If you follow those back you'll see the rubber hoses are connected metal tube hoses. One hose is the sender which sends atf to the radiator and the other is the the return hoses which atf flows back to the trans. Once you identify what each hose is you can connect it should be as follows. Stock sender hose will remain in the radiator, then remove the stock return hose that's connected to the radiator and use the new hose which will connect from the radiator to the aux cooler. That hose is pumping atf into the aux cooler. From the other aux cooler connector install another piece of the new hose and run that hose to the return metal tube. Look at my diagram that I drew and look at #1 and it should make sense.

 

#1-top left

 

O'Reillys. Auto zone also sells it. It's almost $4 a foot.