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Transmission Cooler Upgrade

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by TacoCarl35, Dec 30, 2018.

  1. Dec 30, 2018 at 9:12 PM
    #1
    TacoCarl35

    TacoCarl35 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I just got a 17 foot travel trailer and was thinking I should upgrade my trans cooler. I believe I have one with trd off road package---is there an upgrade for this?
     
  2. Dec 30, 2018 at 9:17 PM
    #2
    Mully

    Mully Well-Known Member

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    I tow this all over the US with no heat problems.

    20181030_104147.jpg
     
  3. Dec 30, 2018 at 10:19 PM
    #3
    TacoCarl35

    TacoCarl35 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I haven’t had any either just wondering if it’s worth getting a better cooler
     
  4. Dec 30, 2018 at 10:20 PM
    #4
    anthony250f

    anthony250f Well-Known Member

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    It’s certainly worth it.
     
  5. Dec 30, 2018 at 10:21 PM
    #5
    anthony250f

    anthony250f Well-Known Member

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  6. Dec 30, 2018 at 10:22 PM
    #6
    Mully

    Mully Well-Known Member

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    Some will tell you to upgrade to a better cooler. I towed my rig fully loaded, trailer and bed, 2 adults and 2 large dogs up over Ridge Pass 11200+ elevation. Not a problem at all.
     
    BillsSR5 likes this.
  7. Dec 30, 2018 at 10:34 PM
    #7
    anthony250f

    anthony250f Well-Known Member

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    Whats the highest trans temp you see?
     
  8. Dec 30, 2018 at 11:27 PM
    #8
    crx7

    crx7 1997 FZJ80 Triple Locked

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    I'd like to know as well, as I'm in the opposite boat. Question should probably be: Do you have a trans temp guage? If you did, you would probably have seen how hot it gets.

    I don't pull super heavy loads, no more than 1000lbs and I can get the temps over 220 easily going uphill. I've also had to shut down to cool off while off roading.

    I initially put in a stacked plate cooler, but that didn't cut it off road at low speeds and would still get the transmission hot on some mountain passes. I'm currently running the largest remote cooler with it's own fan and shroud I could fit on the truck and I don't have issues anymore. It's a
    Derale 15960 Hyper-Cool Remote Engine/Transmission Cooler

    Some with run without a gauge per above and say that they didn't have any issues. However, none of the above state they have a temp gauge. So, their transmission has not failed them yet, but running higher temps significantly shortens the life of your transmission. I hate the costs and lack of reliability of an automatic transmission, so to me, a cooler is very cheap piece of mind for a transmission which will cost thousands to replace when it leaves you stranded in the middle of nowhere.



    Edit: More notes on remote cooler install:
    No pics and it's 12 degrees outside right now. Mounting the cooler, I used metal bar, angle grinder with cutoff wheel, drill and bolted it. Mine is currently in the passenger side rear fender in front of the tire. I will probably be moving it under the bed soon, as the fender gets hot and my rock sliders I'm installing are going to lock it in there.

    Figuring out lines was the hard part. There is a cooler line output and return from the transmission to the radiator. I left the output intact and rerouted the return. I found where the return hard line attaches to 3/8 rubber hose in the passenger front engine compartment. I used a 3/8 to 1/2 barb adapter and ran 1/2 hose to the cooler and then back to the transmission.

    At the transmission I used a M14 x1.5mm to 8AN adapter to plug the hose back into the transmission, it's a little tight here and I needed a short AN8 elbow to avoid getting close to the exhaust. The cooler is nice and has a thermostat that kicks on at 185, it never gets much above that.

    Additionally, I removed my passive cooler from in front of the radiator as having more than 1 cooler impedes flow, and with the huge remote setup, I don't need it blocking my evap and radiator.
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2019
  9. Dec 31, 2018 at 3:03 AM
    #9
    ovrlndkull

    ovrlndkull STUKASFK - HC4LIFE

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  10. Dec 31, 2018 at 11:41 AM
    #10
    Pork Chopper

    Pork Chopper Well-Known Member

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    The stock trans cooler came with the "tow package" and not necessarily the TRD models. Many people just add an extra cooler in line with the stock one, be sure to add extra trans fluid if you go that route.
     
  11. Dec 31, 2018 at 11:55 AM
    #11
    US Marine

    US Marine Semper Fi

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    Look at this plate cooler from B&M #70274 , it's 11"x11"× 1-1/2" , 29,200 BTU and is there racing model

    I'm running this cooler in my Camaro which has a 4500 stall converter and keeps trans temps at safe levels even on a 115° day
     
  12. Dec 31, 2018 at 4:20 PM
    #12
    Accipiter13

    Accipiter13 Well-Known Member

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    If he isn’t off-roading a significant amount the normal derale is going to be just fine. The other units discussed here would work as well. Even relocating the stock unit to a better location helps a ton. My derale keeps things cool no matter what I’m doing, even towing up mountain passes.
     
    Pork Chopper and TacoCarl35[OP] like this.
  13. Dec 31, 2018 at 4:26 PM
    #13
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    that looks like it would be some serious fun traveling around the country in
     
    Mully[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Dec 31, 2018 at 5:15 PM
    #14
    HolyHandGrenade

    HolyHandGrenade NOOB

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    I have a big cooler with a fan. That said, it’s more important to monitor your trans temps somehow and keep the converter locked up by using 4th when necessary.

    I use a ScanGauge II.
     
  15. Dec 31, 2018 at 5:34 PM
    #15
    Mully

    Mully Well-Known Member

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    Don't know or really care. No gauge or scan II.
    My 4Runner had over 325K and it towed everything from flatbed trailers to boats all over the US. I just drop the Tacoma's trans in 4th or even 3rd to pass; will run rpms up to 4500 or even 5000+ rpm then slam it back into 4th. These trucks can take it and have never left me stranded. I had a 1st gen that you couldn't kill. It's a truck, just drive it and good luck to all. PS: I also wheel it.

    THR.jpg
    20181026_134345.jpg
     
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  16. Dec 31, 2018 at 7:37 PM
    #16
    TacoCarl35

    TacoCarl35 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I checked, yea i have tow package.
     
    Pork Chopper[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Dec 31, 2018 at 7:59 PM
    #17
    Mully

    Mully Well-Known Member

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    That's what I have also. The stock cooler is working just fine for me.
     
  18. Dec 31, 2018 at 8:17 PM
    #18
    gearcruncher

    gearcruncher Well-Known Member

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  19. Jan 1, 2019 at 6:17 AM
    #19
    HolyHandGrenade

    HolyHandGrenade NOOB

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    You probably already know this, but for anyone else reading this, the converter does not lock up in third.

    I’m making roughly 400 HP now, so I never need 3rd when towing anymore. But, when I did, I could watch temps rise when dropping into third, then drop when put in 4th.
     
  20. Jan 1, 2019 at 6:40 AM
    #20
    TACOVRD

    TACOVRD I Identify As A Prius

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    Workin' on it....
    I've been upwards of 225-230 F here in Phoenix. I plan on upgrading mine. Up in the PNW I'd never usually be over 200 but down here when ambient temps are 105 or more for the better part of 3-4 months of the year the trans cooler just can't keep up.
     
    Torspd and ovrlndkull like this.

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