Where to professionally install transmission cooler

Hello! I have 05 Tacoma Prerunner V6 automatic without tow package. I would like to use my truck to tow. I would like to first add B&M transmission cooler. I called Firestone and they said that they can't install that. I called the Toyota dealer and they say that they don't install aftermarket. I called Aamco and the guy didn't really know what I was talking about. I have a sealed transmission, and do you know where I could take my truck to have this added? I live near Valencia, CA if anybody knows anywhere I could take close to it. Or, if you know any of the chain stores that would be able to install this. Thanks in advance!

 

I'm surprised Aamco didn't know what you were talking about..
A Toyota dealer would install an OEM kit but it will cost you some big bucks.

 

Toyota dealer told me that they won't install aftermarket products. Aamco guy was saying that he's not heard of tacoma with transmission failure so I don't think they've ever installed any on a tacoma. There's Camping World near my apartment. i'm going to check that place out to see, but I don't know. If anyone know of any place, I would greatly appreciat it!!!!!!!

 

search over on toyotanation, there was a guy that did a write up. i just installed an oem cooler i picked up on egay.

it was really easy to install, just mount the cooler in the front, get about 2' of trans cooler hose and go from the bottom of the radiator (trans fluid exit) to the cooler, then from the cooler to the exposed nipple (from the hose you took off) to complete the flow path. simple as that!

since it is a closed trans, i was worried about loosing fluid when i did it, but actually the lines were clear when i did it so all was well.

 

I heard that when you install the cooler, you need to add additional transmission fluid to make it even again.

 

funny story, i took the cooler to the dealer to install since i was going there for a flush anyways. they said it would be $145 to install it plus parts, and that was going easy on me!...so i politely told them i would go buy my own $6 worth of hose, mount the cooler w/ zip ties and have the truck back in a hour for the flush only!!!

moral of the story, you would think you need to add more fluid, but then again, when i swapped lines cause i mixed them up according to the OEM flow through the cooler, not a drop of fluid came out, so....??

 

what wrong w/ zip ties, that is all that is included w/ kits and such...im going to mount it using oem hardware, but didnt have it when i got the cooler installed and shattered my heal bone 6 wks ago so havent really been thinking truck mods lately!

i used thick ones, mounted it about where it will hold oem and its been going strong since!

 

Interestingly enough, I used to have a tranny cooler on my 55' Mercury but then had the old radiator re-built by a reputable shop. He built a cooler into the bottom of the radiator. According to him, putting the cooler in the bottom of the radiator does a better more efficient job and would suffice alone as the cooler. All the cold water in the radiator flows over the internal tranny radiator. If I'm not mistaken, stock Tacomas come with such a cooler already. But if you wanted to install an additional air cooled unit, it shouldn't be that difficult.

 

yea, the tacomas have a cooler already in the radiator, but check out the temps that the fluid gets to w/o a cooler ... so for reliability sake, just install an extra cooler if towing, or even if you arnt, cant hurt!!

 

What I don't understand is if it's so easy to install, why can't Firestone or Aamco do it? Oh well, I'll keep asking auto mechanics around my place.

 

Original Equipment Manufacturer(OEM)
Toyota dealer service will install an OEM unit for you.

 

exactly, i wanted it mounted in the loop before the trans flush, and since my dealer didnt have the mounts in stock (and they probably would have wanted well over $100 for it all), i had to improvise....its zipped through all the bolt holes, so heat will not be a factor.

 

When I mounted my old cooler to my Mercury, all I did was buy a few pieces of pipe hanger straps. They're just little pieces of steel with holes drilled through the whole length. I just bolted it to the bumper in front of the radiator. This is a massive car with a massive gigantic bumper, so it was easy to do for me. Mounting it on a Taco would probably be just a little more difficult, but it doesn't take rocket science either.

In regards to zip ties... well believe it or not they hold up pretty well. I have a large electric fan stuck to the front of the radiator of the Mercury and the fasteners are made out of the same nylon used in zip ties. Its been on there for 6 years so far.

 

Trans cooler - 4.0 liter W/towing package - 4.0 liter W/towing package05-08 List $390.65 $289.08

Oil cooler tube - 4.0 liter W/towing package - 4.0 liter W/towing package 05-08 $61.50 $45.51

Upper bracket - 4.0 liter W/towing package - 4.0 liter W/towing package05-08 $15.23 $11.27

Lower bracket - 4.0 liter W/towing package - 4.0 liter W/towing package05-08 $6.29 $4.65

Lower hose - 4.0 liter W/towing package - 4.0 liter W/towing package05-08 $16.49 $12.20

Upper hose - 4.0 liter W/towing package - 4.0 liter W/towing package05-08 $28.09 $20.79


Pricey!