Missing Transmission cooler.

Toyota does not feel there is a sufficient number of owners who tow with their Tacoma’s to be a concern to them.

 

This is new to me .
Always thought 175 was the temperature zone to maintain give or take a few degrees either way according to outdoor temperatures , stop and go traffic , towing and 4 wheeling in low gear .
When you begin hitting over 210 degrees under normal driving operation , yes , I would be sceptical of towing , 4 wheeling and stop and go traffic . I am judging this on what we have seen in earlier trucks that use the WS original fluid . Guys are adding larger aftercoolers to their 2016 - 2019 Tacomas and it really helps

I guess we need a few 2020 owners monitoring their transmission temps while towing , 4 wheeling and heavy stop and go traffic before we can figure out why Toyota eliminated the tiny aftercooler up front .
Can you tell us what the engine temperature is when you see 212 degrees at TF2 ?
The AC60 series transmission is still used in 2020 and it still operates with WS fluid . Transmission fluid still breaks down quickly with heat . The aluminum in the valve bodies is incredibly prone to wear .
For now , I agree that you should be looking at the quality of your transmission fluid at 50k
For the members towing heavy loads , it might be worth it to check the quality of your fluid sooner than 50k
There are enough members on Tacoma World to do a study on the 2020 Tacomas .

 

That is very disapointing from Toyota

 

Tf1 on my 2020 hits 202-215 normal freeway driving in SoCal , tf2 hit 202-230 normal freeway . This is why I’m adding the derale cooler and fan . In traffic I have to get the revs up to cool the system . I’ll report back once the cooler is fully installed

 

On a side note... have we considered the possibility that Toyota’s transmissions are built with more temp resistant parts and fluid? For example, maybe 210 degrees in today’s Toyota trans is similar to 180 degrees in Toyota trans from mid 2000’s (second gen)?

My 19’ Silverado that I’m considering trading in on a Tacoma, runs at 190-195 with normal city and freeway driving. It has a decent stock aux trans cooler and a stock 190 degree trans thermostat, it’s rated to tow 9500lbs. I also drive a 13’ Silverado 1500 for work and the trans temp will sit around 150-170 degrees with normal city and freeway driving. After towing with the 19’ for a while with about 4K lbs the trans will sit around 200 and then towing on a dirt road for 8 miles at about 5-10mph in the summer trans temp has gotten as high as 220. Per Chevy, trans hot light doesn’t come on until 260/270

It seems to be a common theme that newer trans run at higher temps. I am by no means an expert and will default to the Toyota Engineers. I would like to think Toyota would not jeopardize their reliability in the public eye just to save a few hundred dollars by removing the aux trans cooler...

 

My 2018 F150 with 10 spd would usually be in the 200-205 range while towing my 3000lb boat on the interstate.

 

Holy crap.... they still sell the FJ in the Middle East and in Japan according to this vid. I wonder if that's still true and if they can be imported.

 

The FJ Cruiser is still sold in the Middle East, South Africa, and a few other destinations as of 2020.

2017 was the last year for the FJ Cruiser in Japan, and the last year for the manual transmission anywhere.

These cannot be imported into Canada or the USA for a long time.

Jeff

 

Any thoughts or comments?

 

Looked at a brand new Tacoma today with 10 miles on it. It was right off the truck. After I test drove it I checked in the radiator area and sure enough, no radiator for a Trans cooler. I went and looked under the hood of a used '19 and saw one there.

 

I think the rules are a vehicle has to be at least 30 years-old in order to import now.

 

15 years for Canada
25 years for USA

Jeff

 

Canada isn’t used to vehicles making it past 20 years... so the limit is lower.

At least, that’s my working theory.

 

I am surprised I have not seen more outrage in the Taco community about the trans cooler delete. The Tundra guys seem to be up in arms about the trans coolers being deleted in Tundras. I guess a smaller fraction of Tacoma owners actually tow though. Toyota did the delete in a quiet way and only made a statement about it after big YouTube channels did videos on it and Seatbelt Mike finally had to respond.

 

It’s because it doesn’t effect very many owners. They deleted it mid-way through the 2020 year. The owners prior to that don’t give a shit, and yes not that many tow.
I am of the opinion that Toyota noticed that the people that tow were adding an additional external cooler, because the one they supplied was next to worthless, so they just dropped it.
I could be wrong - but I doubt it.

 

How about adding an auxiliary fan (if possible) to the side of the radiator that cools the trans fluid, would that void the warranty?

 

If they determine the fan contributed to the failure, yes it could.
My 2020 did not come with a cooler, not a big deal, they are easy to install and not a big expense. A good cooler is extremely reliable and will help extend the life of your transmission, especially if you tow.

 

Yeah, I installed one in my 2001 Silverado back in the day cause I was towing thru the desert in the summer all the time. I never had a transmission problem. I don't know that I want to install one on my 2021 Tacoma just yet, I don't want to void the warranty or give the dealer/Toyota the chance to blame the cooler if the tranny fails.

 

If your not towing I wouldn't worry about it. I'm towing 3000lbs of camper in the mountains so I needed to add one.

 

And this is why Toyota no longer provides an external cooler...
You yourself admit it will extend the life of the transmission, especially if you tow, and you truck has the “proverbial tow package”. yet all you can come up with is “no big deal, they are easy to install, not a big expense”
The Toyota spell at work...