2010 TRD Transmission Cooler Install

Here’s a project report for adding a additional transmission cooler to a 2010 Tacoma TRD. I purchased a Hayden 678 24,000 GVW (OC-1678). Its size is 9.5" x 11" x .75” I found the best price on eBay for $37.95 and ordered from USA Industries. They specialize in transmissions. I also ordered a transmission filter from them. It was a Filtran Transmission Magnetic Inline Filter (3/8") Sealed Power M010SB (99336) for $11.95.




The parts came in a three (3) days. As mentioned in various reviews, the kit hardware has hose (4.5 feet), mounting brackets, bolts, zip ties and hose clamps. Some thought the hose clamps are of poor quality. I don’t feel that way. They are made by Ideal and are high quality.


I did prefer “injector” style clamps so this is what I purchased from Advance Auto:
52F1658 Fuel Injection Hose Clamp 2 packages for 4 clamps each
CQ31616 Transmission Oil Cooler line 6 foot
800011 Barbed Carbon Steel Union 1 pack (I didn’t use this, and found it was too loose for the 3/8 line)

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Installation process:


Remove the front grill. I found the online instructions incorrect from my 2010. Here’s what to do. First, remove the two 10mm Philips screws left and right. Second, remove the plastic push tabs left and right that are in the top front of the grill. Then, pull the grill up! It will come just fine. There are two push/pull clamps on the grill that hold it in the sheet metal frame. I’ve seen some videos that say to push it out. That doesn’t work on the 2010. You will break the grill.

After removing the grill, look over where you want to put the cooler. I found the left side open and a great spot.



I used some small clamps to position the cooler for a dry fit.



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I then cut and bent the metal mounting hardware to fit my install.



Below is the picture with the painted hardware and cooler installed. I did have to cut off some metal on the latch cover to install over the new cooler backet. But as you can see below, it all matched up just fine.


Looking at the transmission lines to the right of the original cooler, the line at the top is the return line to the transmission. The lower line is coming from the transmission. I did not move that line at all.

I rerouted the hose off the top of the original cooler and brought it into the left lower Hayden cooler. The took a hose from the lower right Hayden, to the filter and on to the upper transmission return line that used to connect to the original factory cooler. Now I have two coolers in series. I found the Hayden transmission lines a little tight and preferred the Advance Auto 3/8 transmission hose. It was easier to push on to the fittings. I’m sure if I would have heated up the Hayden line, it would have pushed on just fine.

Before I connected the hose’s I did pre-prime the new cooler and lines first. I used the line that will connect to the center of the original cooler to fill the new cooler, lines and filter. It took about ½ qt. Then after putting the lines all together, I added the rest of the ½ quart to the transmission. Once the transmission was a temp, I checked the level. It was only a few ounces high.

I’ve been running the truck with the Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108DS 4,100 dry and found I rarely hit 200 degrees at the torque converter with a 160 to 185 at the pan. Prior to this I was running 219 pan and 233 in the torque converter. I weighed the truck and trailer on a certified scale. My total weight with truck, camper, fully loaded is 9,940 lbs. According the Toyota, my max weight truck and trailer is 11,100. So 1,160 to spare. Never would I want to touch that.

Hope this helps. Drop me a note if you have any questions.

 

glad to hear its helped out.

FYI at some point they redid the OEM trans cooler and both lines come in the bottom

Always been curious as to filling a trans cooler (or any cooler that matter) bottom up, I just see a propensity for air to get trapped and cooler efficiency to go down.

 

Thanks for the DIY.
I know writing a DIY can make the job take 2x as long.
I always appreciate it when some takes the extra time to help others put.
Thank you.

 

Thanks Jimmy. I've read about some with the opinion that think air might get trapped in the upper part of the cooler, however, I'm of the opinion that while the lines are under about 30 PSI, all that air should get pushed out and into the transmission case. It's a normal process.

 

So adding the cooler necessitates adding more tranny fluid. I figured it would but wasn’t sure.

 

Thank you for your post and dido the above user thanks, for it certainly does slow down an install.
I am preparing to look to see if I have the tow kit installed and did not know where to look. It has the hitch hardware but I do not believe that means anything.
My question is, how do you find out what the torque converter and transmission pan oil temperatures are?

Thank you for taking time to answer.
Thomas J

 

Yes, that's a good question. You need to monitor the temps with a IOS or Android application on your phone. Secondly, the application gets its information from the trucks ODBII port via a Bluetooth device that is plugged into the port. There are many devices and apps that can be used. I chose ELM 327 Interface on the OBDII truck port, and OBD Check from Torque for the monitoring software.

 

welcome to TW

do you have a 4 pin flat or 7 pin round harness connector? 7 pin would be a Tow Package from Toyota

 

Also, if you do not already have the transmission cooler, there is no towing package.

 

I have seen dealer-installed Class III hitch and trailer-harness connector listed in Toyota literature somewhere as an option the past. This may apply to your truck if it doesn't have the other tow package items on it. Tow package trucks should always have the Class IV receiver hitch, supplemental engine and transmission oil coolers, and the 130 amp alternator. I also believe the tow package is only available with the V6 engine.