Missing Transmission cooler.

Just an update but I'll be meeting up with the dealer that sold me the tacoma tomorrow morning. I'll update once I get back.

 

They would have to prove that the cooler caused any failure. The existence of a properly installed cooler itself wouldn't be enough to deny a claim, but if the cooler itself was faulty, improperly installed, or fluid levels not maintained properly, they could point at that -- but they would still need to explain what the fault was and why it caused the failure.

Honestly, I think this is being blown a bit out of proportion, but it is an interesting mystery. So, they made the tow package standard rather than an option (simplifies the mfg process but eliminates an option to charge for), then they eliminate the external cooler (cuts some cost and complexity). They still have to warranty it based on the specs, so it must perform within spec without the external cooler. The window sticker doesn't say it has a transmission cooler, just the web site. It would be nice for them to provide some testing data and their test parameters to justify the change, but that's not likely going to happen.

I towed at near max capacity with my 2nd gen, during the summer (90 degrees out) and up some extended uphill grades on a 300 mile trip. I had a ScanGauge hooked up, and the max the tranny got to was 205, and only for a short time. Fully-loaded for a long camping trip, it did about the same climbing a pass in CO on I-70 for a short time. Both times it quickly dropped down to below 190 once over the hill. It did have the towing package, but I did the same trip only longer (700 miles) with the exact same load in my '09 without the towing package and had no issues, I just didn't have a gauge.

Now, this is not something I would do all the time with a Tacoma, ever. They are just not designed to be an every-day towing vehicle for heavy loads. But, for peace of mind, there are some good options presented here that would likely perform much better than the stock external setup -- it's really not that nice, and seems a little gimmicky to me. I'd just install that aftermarket cooler, make sure the fluid level is set properly, and not worry.

 

Totally off topic from this post but I do some pretty heavy off-roading and have had zero TSS issues other than it bitching at me to clean the sensor because it is covered in dust.

 

Good Luck, I hope you have a good outcome.

 

Installing isn't that hard. The new cooler should come with all the lines and the mounting hardware. All you'll need besides that is a hose adaptor/connector, so you can connect the existing lines with the new ones and a quart of ATF. I did it on my last tacoma and it took me and a friend around a hour or so to install it. If you're interested I can look for the post I did when I installed it.

 

Thanks, that would help me out.

 

I mean thats great and it will work for most people but we see plenty of people where it doesnt work. I personally dont want anything beeping at me or activating when I don't want it to nor do I want something extra that has potential to fail. The fact that you have to clean is a perfect example of what I'm talking about.

So I'm glad it works but the point is the 17s were the last year that didnt come with TSS and for most people, they don;'t want the extra nanny features.

 

Last night I was reading this thread, then I couldn't sleep thinking if my taco was missing the transmission cooler. I was about to go out to check it, but then I remembered that I had some pictures from when I installed the caliraised light bar. Glad to say that mine does have it.

 

Here is the link the the thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-tacoma-transmission-cooler.546637/. I put my info in post #8. If you need more info just send me a DM. Good luck

 

Thank you, I’ll look it over

 

I need to stop reading this thread, getting the urge to upgrade my factory air cooler seeing the huge coolers others have added.

 

https://gfycat.com/accomplishedspecificdipper

 

Just got back. No dice. Toyota Tech we talked to told me that they are now shipping without air cooled trans coolers on the front. We took a look at 5 or so Tacomas, ones dating pre 3/20 have them, it appears everything after doesnt. We had 2 trucks that also didnt have them.

 

I like the idea of mounting a very large cooler with a fan in the spare tire area. I still think upgrading to a better synthetic with the OEM cooler would be more than enough.

 

Unless you tow like I do....

 

Interesting.

You would think Toyota would send out some sort of notice about the change seeing as some people (myself included) purposely felt more comfortable with the Tacoma having the external cooler for towing purposes.

That's great if the engineers really did determine it's not necessary to pull 6400 lbs over a mountain pass without overheating, but having some kind of documentation proving that instead of making people paranoid about missing a component that they expected to be there seems like not too much of an ask.

 

I mean they kind of did, it's not on the sticker or build sheet...so.....

 

exactly, its also not reassuring considering toyota has been doing this the whole time and only now considers its not necessary. my 96 land cruiser has got an OEM one 3 times the size of the ones that come on the Tacomas.

 

it hasn't been on any of the build sheets for this generation but they all included it.