Auxiliary Transmission Cooler

I've installed an aftermarket auto trans cooler about a year ago, keeping the origianl radiator tube cooler in line. I'm curious if I should completely eliminate the radiator cooler from the system and simply just run the auxiliary cooler as a stand alone cooler? My main consideration is the precaution of elimination any possible mixing of fluids if internal damage/corrosion was to occur.
Any thoughts? What have all you, who have installed aftermarket coolers, done?
Thanks!

 

I installed one, and everything I read on it indicates to have it inline with the other one. It's ADDITIONAL cooling capacity, not replacing. You're running the same fluid through both.

 

If you have a big enough cooler I say only run it through there. Could always run 2 aftermarket coolers. It would help you avoid any milkshakes getting into your transmission.

 

Thanks for the input. Upon installing mine, I researched and found the same info regarding keeping it inline as additional cooling, but have also heard running it solo.

Do you know what size is considered big enough? I'm running a

$52 Hayden 678 Universal Rapid-Cool 9.5” x 11” Add-On Transmission Cooler – Not for Direct Replacement of the OE Cooler

Hayden 678 (TRD) cooler, but it's hard to compare a fin style to a tube style.

 

I would keep it if I was you. I run from the transmission, through my B&M cooler, out the B&M into the factory cooler, then that returns to the transmission. I even went as far as installing an electric fan from a CBR600 street bike, but have recently taken it out as it was cooling to much especially in the winter time. I will re install it come spring. When it comes to transmissions, cooler is better.

 

If you want to 100% eliminate the chance of a strawberry milkshake run it solo. If you want additional cooling run it in series. The downfall of not running your factory inline is your trans takes longer to get up to operating temp which can really affect shift points when cold. Generally speaking you will probably see larger temp swings with only an auxiliary cooler when in town but slightly lower operating temp on the highway assuming adequate airflow.

I researched this debate until my eyes went crossed when I was trying to decide what to do on my 3rd gen 4Runner. I had 150k miles on the original radiator. To avoid the dreaded strawberry milkshake my choices were to replace radiator or keep running the original radiator and get an auxiliary cooler. I ended up replacing the radiator and didn't bother with an auxiliary trans cooler.

 

You should run through radiator then through cooler that away the cooler fluid is entering the transmision instead of being reheated by the radiator.

 

Low pressure drop coolers eliminate the possibilty of overcooling and overheating .
Far better design in comparison to hayden
Here is an example :
http://southsiderv.rvcatalogue.ca/products/Long-Manufacturing-Ltd-703-4454

 

I went with

ANEWNICE Long Tru-Cool LPD Transmission Oil Cooler 4590 28000 GVW

this and decided to bypass the radiator altogether. The mounting was a slight challenge but I've been very happy with the product. My TFT temps stay between 115-130 on average. The hottest temp I've seen is 160 and that was slow crawling while off-roading for long periods of time. The pink milkshake is a hot topic with 3rd Gen T4R's and I decided to eliminate the chances right up front. Good luck.

 

Any pictures of your install? I've had my TRD (hayden) for 11 years after my factory cooler. I've thought about bypassing the factory all together.

 

Can you go into more detail on why this type is better?

 

Same here, I'm curious to understand this style and how it is superior.

 

Thank you all for your input and opinions. I do currently have the aux cooler in series w/the factory cooler and have it after the radiator, for previously described reasons. And yes, while this set up does cause the trans to take slightly longer to warm up during the cold months, it typically doesn't affect me too much as I give adequate warm up time and drive very moderately at first.
Again, my main concern is the whole strawberry milkshake thing and taking any precautions, but without jeopardizing anything either.

 

I had it running solo as I live in california and the temps here don't ever get really low, besides I don't beat on the tranny too much. On other threads i've seen that people just don't trust the factory radiator at all and swap it with a new one and also install the AUX cooler. The reason the factory ones are not trusted is because the divider starts corroding and mixing coolant and ATF. If I were you i'd skip the factory cooler if you're not in a cold climate or in a rush when you get in your truck.

The truck that I put the AUX cooler was totaled in june and now I have to do it to my 4runner. I did not have any fun installing that cooler in that truck as there was no good spot to put it in.

 

These coolers are not a pass through cooler .

Transmission coolers
This is how Low Pressure Drop technology works::
When Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is cold it is viscous. The unique Tru-Cool design allows the colder, thicker ATF to flow more efficiently through two open bypass channels positioned at the top of the cooler. As operating temperatures increase, the ATF becomes hotter and thinner, It's then directed through the core where it is cooled. Tru-Cool's highly efficient cooling technology combines improved protection against lube failure with optimal heat transfer.

Long Tru-Cool Oil Coolers offer advanced cooling protection for many towing applications. The advanced technology out performs TUBE & FIN Designs, Delivers up to 15 times less flow restrictions, 30% more cooling delivers maximum heat transfer, Self-Regulating for maximum lube flow protection through start-up, varied temperatures and driving conditions, heavy loads and towing.