2.4 (2rzfe) Auto trans cooler install, cheap and easy! UNDER $40!!!

So I have never really liked the stock cooler setup (goes into the cooler in the radiator, is immersed in engine coolant). It is needed for cooler climates, but I am in San Diego...

I decided to pull the bumper and grille to take a few measurements to add a bar and fin style cooler. I ended up going with a Hayden brand (Made in Australia) cooler kit. It is a universal kit but the measurements were near what I wanted. It was a very nice kit, came with the cooler, hose, hose clamps and some bracketry and hardware.

I ended up using some of my own fasteners as well as two more hose clamps (for a total of 6 hose clamps) and 2.5 feet extra/more hose. All said and done it cost under $40.00!!!
The kit I used was Hayden 1677, Transaver Plus. Also get some zip-ties, for your hose management, they work like a charm .

This is for a 1996 Tacoma, 2.4 (2rzfe), Automatic (A43d), 2wd extra cab. Not sure if on newer models the bumper attaches different, etc.

It was a very simple install.
Step one: Remove corner lights.

Step two: Remove the front bumper/valance assembly (my grille has clips behind the bumper so you have to remove the bumper to remove the grille).There is a nut on each side in the wheel wells, and two nuts behind the turn signal indicator lights. You can remove these if you would like, I did not need to and was able to get the nuts from underneath, behind them! Might make it easier for you to remove the turn signal indicator lights in the valance. There are also two- 10mm bolts on the lower valance.

Step three: Remove the grille assembly. (Not sure if you need to remove the headlights on newer models, mine you did not). I have the glass headlights.
Once the grille has been removed you can start to get to work. I have attached pictures to show how I mounted mine. I ran the lines through the existing hole for the AC lines, I will have pictures of my management as well. I Used the supplied brackets and cut and molded them to fit. The cooler sits about a 1/4" in front of the AC condenser so that there is no way the cooler or hardware could rub on it.

Step four: Find out which transmission line is the outlet of the trans, and which is the inlet. In my case the passenger side line was the outlet of the transmssion. Both of my fittings are at the bottom of the radiator, the one going into the passenger side of the radiator was the OUTLET of the transmission.
I figured it out by looking at a parts diagram and then had my buddy start the truck with the line off too see if the fluid was being pumped out of the line, or out of the radiator.
It pumped out of the line, so I knew that was going to be where I started.

Step five: Decide if you want to run mine like I did. I utilized the factory cooler and decided to run it in series.
I ran the outlet of the transmission (hot fluid) into the factory cooler, the radiator. I then ran a line OUT/FROM the radiator to the inlet (TOP) of my new cooler. I then ran a line from the outlet (BOTTOM) of the new cooler back into the transmission. This setup goes through the radiator first, then into the heat exchange and back into the transmission where the temps have now been significantly reduced.

Step six: Adjust all the hose clamps so that you are able to reach them with the grille and bumper assemblies back on the vehicle. The instructions say to re-check the hose clamps after approximately 2-weeks of operation.

It did not really add much capacity but Immediately after going on a test drive I found the temps to have dropped significantly (driving it hard).
I will test more with a few bikes in the back soon! So far, so good! The location I chose is very easy to make brackets for and utilizes existing holes and is setup for maximum airflow.

To me this is a no brainer upgrade. TOTAL time spent: 2.5 hours. TOTAL blow to the wallet: $39.47 not including fluid.
I was able to find the kit for $33 shipped on eBay, got the extra line for a couple bucks/foot at a local shop and the other two hose clamps I needed I had laying around. I also used some zip-ties for the hose management.

 

Nice job and thanks for the write up and photos. Saving this for future project.

 

Of course! I have been blessed with the little knowledge I have, might as well pass it on .

I am going to get some underneath photos as well, so that everyone can see exactly my hose routing and management, I will also highlight the hardlines and mark which one is in, and which is out.

 

I agree...'no brainer upgrade'...low cost and not a lot of time...good improvement!!

 

Exactly! Who wants to spend a lot of time and money! Best of both worlds, a couple of hours and under $50. My girl spends more than $50 on things I think are complete crap everytime we go shopping hahaha .

 

Just added a video to the original post.