Engine Oil Cooler

I accidentally posted this in the 3rd gen, so here it is in the proper place.

I have a '13 Prerunner, no tow package. I am having the trans cooler installed as we speak, it is the B&M supercooler. I just purchased a 3900lb trailer, not counting gear. How important is an engine oil cooler like the tow package equipped Tacoma's come with?
I already have a 5500lb receiver and trailer break control, been pulling a smaller camper for several years.
Thanks

 

engine oil cooler ? do you mean automatic transmission fluid cooler instead ?

because that is what we get,
an additional atf cooler, not an 'oil cooler'

(though it's the same damn thing really,
a finned heat exchanger)

yes it is important to keep atf fluid as cool as possible for longevity, and towing anything makes that temp climb

an additional atf cooler can only do good when installed correctly
and the atf volume compensated for the added space the lines and cooler make

if you have a manual tranny then just change the goop on the 'extreme service interval' in the owner manual

 

very if its hot out and your going up long grades

not many left here
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-1GR...Tacoma&hash=item4d701d188c:g:h9YAAOSwfEVasWY7

 

The trans cooler is being installed today, which I put in my post. 2nd gen Tacoma's have a factory oil cooler installed with the tow package, along with the trans, alternator and battery upgrades.

 

Thanks. The ones I looked at were like the trans cooler and not a "wet" application.

 

that's what comes with the tow package and is much better than the external trans cooler types that can over cool oil if not done right

you can upgrade your Alt and Battery too if you want to match the tow package

 

It works, but taxes the cooling system. Since coolant is used to take heat out of the oil. Just the nature of its design. Being that the ATF also uses the coolant system to cool the ATF, it gets taxed even more.

Here are two options.

CSF larger radiator, with larger reservoir for cooling the ATF:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...mance-radiator-for-our-trucks-finally.539151/

Air to air oil cooler:

 

Didn't know anyone sold it as a kit.

I pieced mine together back in 2013 and added a b&m trans cooler, figured in Texas summer, 100-110 on regular basis, it couldn't hurt to have some extra cooling, especially while towing in the hill country.

 

ok got it
I dun goofed

 

I saw the OP post in 3rd Gen this morning.

If anyone is looking for a larger transmission cooler and would like to save 30-40 dollars, instead of purchasing a B&M cooler, buy a ‘Tru Cool’ cooler by ‘Long Manufacturing’ which also makes the B&M coolers.

The B&M coolers have ‘Long Manufacturing’ stamped on them and they are exactly the same as the Tru Cool coolers.

I ordered both using Amazon Prime a couple of years ago, and compared them. Both were solid stacked plate models of the same size. They were exactly the same, just with different box labeling and advertising, so I sent the B&M cooler back for a refund.

Taco cooler.

Eco burst cooler install 2 years ago.

 

So I'm confused as shit. I was looking into getting that same kit. For the oil cooler. I didn't think about it till today when I was looking up "trans cooler" for it and someone said they changed there fluid. I don't feel comfortable doing the trans fluid myself cuz there is no dipstick. It's been a long day in the sun and I over think things too much. I've read too much and I have a few questions I would like straightened out.

Now here I what I need explained.
If I get this kit is it just a oil cooler that I need?
Does the tow package have a separate trans cooler?
Is a trans cooler a whole separate thing or is that some how part of the oil cooler?

I originally thought I would need the kit and a cooler but now I'm all sorts of lost.

 

The factory oil cooler is an oil to coolant heat exchanger that's part of the oil filter housing. It doesn't have a finned radiator.

The factory tranny cooler on the tow package is a small additional "radiator" which does oil to air cooling.

 

Thank you so much. That explains everything. Do the hoses from the oil cooler go the the thermostat housing?

 

That I do not know my friend. From my experience towing the tranny will heat up fast when you are pulling hills and the torque converter has to unlock. A nice big air to oil cooler would help a lot.

I wouldn't worry about an oil cooler, if anything you could also upgrade your radiator to keep the motor cool. I've never had my coolant exceed 89 Celsius in the most strenuous situations.

 

I will look into that. I think I'll have my mechanic put one in and change my fluid and filter cuz I've been waiting that done anyways. Rather than put the oil cooler in. Thank you for your help.

 

You're welcome. I've been wanting to get one too. I have the ultragauge so I'm always watching the fluid temps now haha. Ignorance is bliss.

That's a great investment BTW. It does a lot of useful things and doesn't cost much. You could monitor the temps and install the cooler if temps are a problem. You might not need to. I try to keep it below 85, which only happens if you're going up long slow steep climbs. On the highway the temps stay low, trailer or not.

 

I'm in the process of getting my scangauge set up. I sent out my overhead counsel to have a special mount made in the garage door opener cubbie. I can't wait to get it back and play with it.

 

3900 lbs is the dry weight which is already over your trucks manufacturers stated gross tow weight. When you load up the trailer you will be grossly over limits. It doesn’t matter what you add to your truck the manufactures weight rating doesn’t change. Technically your truck will be better equipped to tow more weight with the additions you are installing but again it doesn’t change the manufacturer max tow weight. In most states (maybe all states) it is illegal to tow over the trucks max tow weight. Should you have an accident while towing over weight not only will you be cited (police especially highway patrol are trained to look for that) but you’ll probably get your ass sued off. I’m not in anyway telling you not to tow over capacity I’m just telling you the way it is.

 

Where can I find the right sandwich plate for an air to air cooler for taco? And the adapter to support our oil filter too like in that image? I checked the mishimoto oil cooler sandwich plate, but I am not so sure if we have enough room to fit that one. I am looking for an oil cooler sandwich plate for taco that has atleast two NPT ports one for oil temp and another for oil pressure gauges. Thank you.
Edit : Also want to add that the stock taco comes with this weird contraption, but I don't see an air-to-air cooler there.

 

That in my pictures is a Greddy oil cooler sandwich plate.