2012 dcsb 4.0 tacoma transmission cooler upgrade advise !

Howdy folks, I'm looking at purchasing a secondary transmission fluid cooler for my truck
and need to get some advise from those who know.

My truck has the tow package
with the small factory fluid cooler. - Should a supplemental cooler be added to the system or

Replace it with a larger capacity unit ?

Also my truck has what appears to be an add a leaf in the stock rear spring pack. Was this included in the 2012 tow package ? It is a shorter leaf on the bottom of the spring pack that does not reach all the way to the eye.

Any advise on this upgrade would be great . Thanks

 

The factory tranny cooler may be just fine without adding/replacing. It depends on how much weight you tow, what you tow, where you tow - mountains, deserts etc. I tow my 3500 lb boat and trailer all over the hot California Central Valley and sometimes up in the Sierras with just the stock cooler. Ten year old truck, 100000+ miles never any problems. Nothing wrong with getting larger tranny cooler no matter what you do. I would just replace the original with a larger one and not add it on to the factory one.

I don’t know if the 4 leaf springs are factory or not on your truck. I know there was a rear leaf spring recall on several years models of Tacoma and the replacement springs were better than originals and had 4 leafs (not 3 like like oem) and looks like what you describe. Yours is likely the replacement springs. Actually I think the leaf spring recall only went to 2011 Tacoma’s and prior.

 

hey thanks for the update, My truck is the 4.0 liter 80 k miles. I'm not towing yet but a plan to is in place.
Originally was going to haul a motorcycle trailer with 2 bikes. But that has since changed.
I'm probably looking at a lite weight tow behind travel trailer. in the 12 to 14 ft range.
Good old flat Florida for now but a trip out west would be in the cards with the trailer. Planning way ahead
will make this much easier down the literal road. I have a pair of Bilstein 5100 shocks ready to install in the rear.
But was not sure about the short leaf being an add on leaf or a factory setup. It looked like part of the factory tow package to me.
I do know the OEM transmission cooler looks a bit wimpy. Others have said it won't keep up.
So I have been looking at the ones that are outfitted with the temp sensor control valves. I don't have a known gvw yet
but a little overkill on the cooling of the transmission won't hurt if it can keep the fluid happy in all manner of use.
Anyway here are some photos of the spring pack...

 

Your leaf springs look exactly like mine that Toyota replaced the originals with. Unless you are towing heavy those leaf springs should be fine.
Yes go ahead and replace your tranny cooler with a larger one. There are no negatives in doing so only positives. You’ll feel better doing so.. You’re right overkill won’t hurt.

 

Thanks Sprig, I'm going to get this done first and then move on to the brakes next.
It stops ok but it feels as if the power brake booster might be having issues. The pedal
fades a good bit on normal one push stops. But if you pump the pedal several times before
holding the pedal firm the stops are much improved. Could be the fluid in the system is old.
it is an 8 year old truck. I'm 4th owner. Anyway, this is one area when towing that must be
in top condition. So a little detective work will be done. Maybe just some new pads and shoes.
I'll see when the time comes.

I drive a 2017 Tacoma at my work (access cab 2.7 L ) automatic and it stops real
firm and straight. No pedal dancing needed.

 

It could be a number of things. First couple that come to mind is failing master cylinder or air in the lines or low brake fluid. I would get that taken care of ASAP, like tomorrow. That is dangerous and your brakes can completely fail.

 

I may have painted a worse picture then it really is. I should have said weak braking power.
And this truck has 20" wheels on it so I thought that might have some effect on it .

It's not like the pedal is going to the floor. Just further than when you pump the pedal before
making stops.

 

That sounds better but still shouldn’t need to pump power brakes. I’d suggest getting a brake inspection.

 

+1 on that.

 

@Soylent Green2012 did you get that aspect figured out? Brake pumping for firmness

 

you didnt say what you were towing, but i ditched my small one and added a dual row with fan setup for mine. as i tow 5-6k lbs and going up grades it gets hot. now it keeps its cool

 

I have not made any changes so far. Everything is still working the same as before.
Does not seem to be getting worse. But Still it is concerning.
I only drive 3 miles to work each way so I have put off having it looked at.
I have a bike too but don't want to have to ride it everyday if the truck is in the shop.
During the holidays might give me a better time frame to get it looked at.