Do I have a transmission cooler ?

So I have a 2023 off road and while it list a towing package it does not list a transmission cooler on the sticker. I have heard that it is integrated in the radiator but I’m not sure. There is some type of cooler in front of the radiator but I’m not sure what that is and it seems small. When looking for a factory transmission cooler from Toyota it’s much bigger than what I’m seeing. I want to tow a travel trailer (under5 K#) I have seen many videos where the transmission will heat up especially when navigating long hill climbs. Can I install an additional cooler to ensure I have enough cooling to tow. Many thanks to all who respond

 

After 2020 the coolers are integrated into the radiator. There is no external cooler.

The cooler you see is for the power steering.

 

Read this thread. It'll tell you what you need to know about installing an external trans cooler: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...l-toyotas-write-up-with-many-pictures.526283/

 

Every auto trans car, at least from US and Asia, have had the trans cooler built into the bottom of the radiator since, oh, the 60s.

Some have had additional external coolers to supplement capacity.

As @Delta09 and @BabyBilly point out, you do not have an external unit, but you can chose to add one if you wish.

If you're not monitoring your temps now, you should be, and certainly when towing. It will also serve you well if you add an external cooler and tow.

 

Thanks so much for this reply. As far as monitoring the temps is there a unit you would recommend and is it a plug and play or will I need a shop to install it. Thanks

 

ScanGauge II is PnP and there are others as well.


That's where I chose to mount mine.

Enlarge and you'll see 2 Trans temps on right side, one is pan other converter.

 

Scan gauge is the most popular PnP option. I run a popular app called OBD Fusion. This will require an OBD dongle like below and you must create custom dashboards.

$32 Veepeak OBDCheck BLE Bluetooth OBD II Scanner Car Check Engine Light Code Reader, Auto Dual Mode Bluetooth Diagnostic Scan Tool for iOS & Android

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073XKQQQW?ie=UTF8

There are 2 bid threads on how to make dashboards. It's much easier to go to the swappin' thread, download one someone else has already created, and customize it to your needs.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/obd-fusion-tips-and-tricks.590248/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/obd-fusion-dashboard-swappin-thread.683932/#post-24114304

Here is the dashboard I run when towing the camper. I run this on an old iPhone and always have it up.

 

I use ultra gauge on mine. I use it for this purpose only.

if you want to add another cooler here’s a thread. Have this on as well:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-transmission-cooler-upgrade.482280/

 

I must be one of very few that uses a scan gauge 3 but I highly recommend it. The larger screen makes it a bit harder to mount but the esse of use combined with all the info on a really nice screen is worth it.
I'm running an 18 with a mild build for weight and 295's stock gearing and tow semi regularly. With that I opted for the scan gauge to monitor temps and I was suprised outside of steep grades I rarely see a 10 degree jump in the converter pretty much never in the pan.

 

I'm late to the party, but we're setting up our Taco for trailer towing and am curious how much real estate the SG3 eats up. For reference, I have a 7-inch screen on a magnet mount to the right of the steering wheel, so I'm thinking of putting another just to the left (on top of the dash trim, but not blocking the dash vent) and putting the gauge there. I like the larger screen and auto features despite the SG2 being able to mount on the steering column. Just concerned it'll take up too much room.

 

It's not a small unit by any means when compared to the SC2 but I found the screen a pain to read in comparison so that's why I went with the 3.
I was going to add a picture of it mounted but apparently I don't have one. So here's one of it in Hand that may help.

 

Bill, how do you see the road with your mirror set so low like that? I’m only 5’8” and had to mount my gauge on the dash because my mirror touches the ceiling like your scan gauge and it’s still too low!

 

Only 5'8" as well. Maybe my comfy 5 lug seats sit lower?

But no problems with rear viewing.....

 

I appreciate the photo. Looks manageable and, since Autozone is having a 15% sale this month, I may just swing up there and snag one.

Thanks!

 

@CobraMisfit
You might also look at the Ultra Gauge too. It is smaller than the Scan Gauge III and has the same transmission gauges plus a good display. Both have readable displays.

The Ultra Gauge has to be ordered with Version 4 or something like that.

 

If you like simplicity the scan gauge 3 is 100x easier to program and the display is still 100x better but it is bigger and nearly 3x the price. But overall worth it.

 

I appreciate everyone's input. I was tempted to get the Ultra Gauge, but wound up snagging a SG3 thanks to a 15% off discount through Advanced Auto. Plugged it in, ran the auto scan, and boom, was immediately measuring everything I needed. Gonna haul our camper tomorrow and see what the data looks like.

Thanks again!

 

Is there a place where we can find the normal ranges for each and everything this device can measure for our Tacoma? It’s great to see all this data, but don’t know the ranges so don’t know if there are issues or not. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.