Has anyone managed to add a Transmission cooler to their 2021?

Has anyone successfully added a transmission cooler to your Tacoma that came from factory w/out after they stopped including them? And if so, what cooler/kit did you use? I plan on towing a 3500 lb travel trailer, with my 200 lb dirtbike in the bed, so even if it isn't technically "needed" according to Toyota, I'd like one for peace of mind. I work my truck hard, and I want to make sure it is adequately cooled. Thanks!

 

Wouldn't be too difficult. Just intercept the lines that go into the radiator. Just use a straight Barb to bypass the rad altogether. Then use any cooler you'd like.

 

Try this:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...l-toyotas-write-up-with-many-pictures.526283/

 

Would bypassing the transmission cooling portion of the rad cause any other issues?

 

One thing I'm also worried about is overcooling the transmission, as I do live in Canada and do see some temperatures below -25f.

 

If you're in canaderp, you can keep the rad connection if you'd like. It would still work the same you'd just need an extra connection for the rad.

 

Ah, so keeping the rad portion intact and just running a loop to the secondary trans cooler would keep the thermostat portion intact, correct?

 

The thermostat is way upstream and remains in place regardless.

It'd be like

Fluid from converter
Into rad
Out of rad
Into add on cooler
Out of add in cooler
Back to pan.

Don't quote me lol.

 

Alright sounds good. I'd honestly probably have a shop do it just for peace of mind.

 

Also, since you seem to be knowledgeable on the subject, this is the cooler I'm looking at.

$61 Hayden Automotive 516 High Performance Transmission Cooler

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000C3BBEY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1

Thoughts and/or concerns?

 

There are no worries about overcooling with a cooler that has bypass channels as described in the upper paragraph.
The bypass channels are on the right side of the cooler running from bottom to top.

 

Oh, sweet. I think I'm gonna keep the rad section intact and just run the cooler inline. This is the cooler I'm looking at.

$61 Hayden Automotive 516 High Performance Transmission Cooler

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000C3BBEY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1

 

Just a word of caution...

When I was looking into buying my 2020, I did extensive research into this topic. Called numerous dealers and had a Toyota rep contact Toyota corporate.

Long story short, adding an aftermarket cooler will void the warranty of parts/systems that interface with the cooling system. The list of parts that could have a voided warranty could be long...

Info regarding Toyota’s choice to delete the external cooler: the engineers (the guys with the professional engineering licenses that overbuild, over-design and over-test every system on these trucks) came to the conclusion it was not needed on the Tacoma as well as the tundra due to the high level of cooling efficiency of the radiator.

I have a hard time believing that Toyota would jeopardize their reliable name over some $50 part. If there was any question at all about the cooling ability of the radiator, I would have to believe they’d continue to use the external trans cooler.

Another idea to consider is the use of higher quality/better designed to handle high temps transmission fluid. I highly doubt it’s the same trans fluid that went into the trans that came in say 2010 trucks and older that required an external cooler. One other idea to consider is that the trans in these new 3rd gen have likely been designed and built to handle higher trans temp compared to trans from a second gen. A temp that once may have caused damaged or deterioration of the fluid (let’s say 250 degrees), may be today’s new average/acceptable temp.

Now I’m not saying Toyota or their engineers don’t make mistakes but they have a reliable name for a reason... but if you’re like me and would like some additional piece of mind, just buy a Toyota extended warranty and don’t worry about the trans temp

 

I'm not too worried about a dealer screwing me on warranty, as I work for the dealer lol. But you bring up a 100 percent valid point. I plan on working my truck hard, and if this transmission cooler makes my life easier in that it saves my transmission from overheating in the middle of nowhere and stranding me, then its worth the extra risk imo.

 

My line of thinking is that they fucked up removing it from the Tundra, who's to say that they didn't fuck this up too.

 

50 dollar part multiplied by millions of vehicles results in significant cost reduction for Toyota and that no doubt drove the decision to eliminate the cooler. I tow a lot and having a cooler seems better than not having one.

 

That's my train of thought. I'd rather go overkill than be maxxing out the trucks cooling system constantly.

 

Everyone in entitled to their own opinion, that’s what’s great about the USA!

But I tend to side with the engineers that make 6 figures or even 7 figures that work for the second largest auto maker in the world and arguably the most reliable in the world...

But hey, what could they know they know right??? Dumb engineers and dumb Toyota

 

I'm Canadian but yes I agree lol. Doubt I'll have issues but, you're proabably right. It's just peace of mind for me.