TRANSMISSION . Transmission coolers for all Toyotas ... Write up with many pictures

Is this a 3rd gen

 

2nd gen. 2014 V6 2wd Pre Runner

 

In reference to your post concering the difference in fitting sizes and shifting, I'd be looking at that bend in the hose. More than likely that could be the reason for your shift problem.

I have no problem whatsoever with shifting due to the difference with the fittings.

 

Apropos of probably nothing, I was browsing an Xterra forum today while trying to see if they ever came stock with a trans cooler. A friend has a 2008 and he thinks it has one from the factory despite NOT having a towing package. He's talking about towing some light stuff.

Anyway, I saw lots of discussion about how air-to-fluid coolers are not as efficient as fluid-to-fluid coolers, and how "you should basically never use an external cooler unless it has a good fan on it because a radiator's internal trans cooler actually cools better all by itself."

It's not my intention of arguing this here or there, and for the last 5 years I've been happily running my '04 with only an external cooler (Tru-Cool 4454, which is now pushing $100 new.) In those 5 years the truck has included probably a half-dozen abusive trailer pulls that would make a modern pickup groan (never with OD engaged). Probably time to drain and refill with new MaxLife.

So here, we're concerned with overcooling (if bypassing the radiator) whereas "over there" they're concerned with undercooling (if going external, with or without including the radiator cooler.)

Like I said, it was an interesting perspective, if not necessarily a worthy one however. I kinda do want a ScanGuage II now, but will first see if my fancy Bluetooth adapter and phone app can read trans temp.

 

I have one of the B&M supercooler on my 2nd gen. Removed factory cooler and run it through the CSF radiator. I have never seen temps about 200 here in Southern Cali on my normal driving, they normally range between 140-180 depending on the temp outside. With the factory cooler last year driving from Southern Cali to Lake Havasu with 2 jet Skis in 100-115 degree heat I saw the trans temps between 195-220. I will be doing the same trip next month and be interested to see the difference towing the skis.

I have been considering and I am not sure if anybody has done this. I prefer a better solution to routing the lines going from the trans to the cooler. Imo there at yo many lines that could possibly leak or go out when toying off-road. There are two metal lines coming out of the trans and I was trying to find a solution to add -an fitting and go straight up the passenger side to the cooler rather then from the passenger side across the front to the driver side then to the radiator then to the cooler. If anybody has done that with -an fittings and braded lines can chime in?

anyway here are some pics of the truck with the cooler.

 

I ran -an lines for the transmission cooler on my V8 Ranger conversion, and they worked fine. I don't see why they would not work on a Tacoma.

Just be sure to secure the lines so they don't rub on anything. I think that is the main advantage to the fixed steel lines.

 

I'm having some trouble tracking down a tru-cool 4454. Is there another model or brand you recommend in its stead? @gearcruncher

 

Any recommendations for those of us without a stock cooler beside Tru-Cool?

 

$365 Derale 15870 Hyper-Cool Extreme Remote Mount Fluid Cooler , Black

https://www.amazon.com/Derale-15870...8&keywords=derale+15870&qid=1639761835&sr=8-1

 

Extra capacity and a soak fan that pulls 800 cfm

 

Are you running this on your truck?

 

Yes it works amazing

 

Nice man are you monitoring your temps? What are you seeing?

 

I use my scan gauge for the torque converter temp and the pan temp , during 110+ summer heat it was in the 180 range . I only run the fan when in 4hi or low .

 

Excellent thanks man. This is what I'm looking for

 

Well since the TruCool trans coolers seem to unobtainium, I found an alternative. The Hayden 698 has a built-in thermal bypass. Kicks in at 160*. Got from RockAuto, came out to $57 with tax and shipping.

 

Are you putting one in while truck is under factory warranty?

 

Even though my truck only had 5500 mi my factory warranty is toast. I was rear-ended to the tune of $23k in damages back in September, and damn insurance wouldn't total it.