3rd gen Transmission Cooler Upgrade

most likely. I just had this issue with my power steering. Lost almost all the fluid due to those spring clamps. Hose clamp fixed it right up.

 

Thanks
I'll be asking for those Spring clamps changed over.

 

I feel kind of stupid about the transmission cooler question actually. I looked under the hood and there's a very nice ATF cooler in front of the radiator

 

Is it possible (with unpinned thermostat And disconnected radiator reservoir) that a continuous cycle of open close open Etc could be caused due to the increased cooling of the added cooler and potentially causing premature failure of the thermostat?

 

Can I do this Pin mod on the 2nd gen?

 

negative

 

Are you guys unpinning for the winter (if it gets cold where you are)?

Is there any downside to this? It is humid and hot as ballsack in Arkansas. Didn't know if it might be good "assurance" to do this.

Thanks!

 

I live in Phoenix AZ where it never really gets that cold. I pretty much leave it pinned all summer due to the fact its stupid hot here and Im towing more for camping. I do un-pin the T stat in the winter. This is just a guess but I think giving the transmission a chance to run warmer here and there maybe a good thing. The hotter, thinner fluid may reduce sludge buildup.

 

Thanks! Even if I'm not towing it's still a little beneficial huh? Or maybe just for peace of mind.

 

Yeah if you read some of the stuff gearcruncher has posted the Toyota WS fluid that runs these transmissions isn't the best and doesn't like high temps. My understanding the same fluid is in everything from the corolla to the tundra.

 

Have you ever heard of a trans blowing up because the fluid ran too cool? Nope.

Heat kills transmissions.

 

I have not. I was mostly referring to if it could be “too cool” for the winter. I am also not up north where engine block heaters are used or anything. So, it sounds like I don’t need to worry if I do end up pinning it.

Thanks!

 

I'm in NC and leave mine pinned year round. It's been pinned for about 3 years now and 70k miles.

 

Oh, perfect! That's what I was hoping to hear.

 

I thought on aftermarket coolers you wanted to have the inlets on the side or top , not the bottom

 

They should be on top or outlet on top if on the side.

 

The thermostat opens and closes nearly constantly when the truck is at operating temperature with the transmission around 195F. Will keeping it pinned open weaken the spring any? Not sure

 

Or does the thermostat reach equilibrium being 1/2 open??? I believe I will get an external cooler and NOT pin the tstat. Being in MT seems Like a no brainer. AZ - different story.

 

This is an older thread but here in Vegas for example, my 17 TRD OR towing a 22’ TT to the mountains in ELY (yesterday), towing in 4th and occasionally third on grades, I run 197-220 on the scan gauge. I had a couple spikes to 225 and 235 when the wife was driving and I had her back off. Thermostat not pinned but I will from now on in summer. Looking to do a setup like yours.

 

Hi I did a post on a cooler that I installed a few weeks ago. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/easy-transmission-cooler-install.731014/ I left the t.stat pinned open and it hits 100 deg. pretty fast in summer weather so far, so I'm not worried about running it "too cold". With the t.stat in normal condition - no real load on the vehicle - the temp. just bounces from 185 to 186 back and forth. I took the hot line into the rad. then to the cooler then to the trans. I am much happier with the t.stat in open mode and running roughly at 150 deg constant. I have not hooked up the trailer yet to check the temps. but so far I am really pleased.