Radiator upgrade. Is it worth it?

Really helpful post. I have been considering this type of upgrade myself, but only just started to research. You've laid it out nicely. Do you know what your temps were at pre-install?

For reference, my truck weighs 6000+ lbs and I have observed coolant temps up to 209 on long climbs through the mountains while hammering down, it typically runs around 199-200 on the highway at around 70-75 mph.

 

209 is well in the acceptable range, especially if you say that you're being heavy on the pedal.

My temps before the install would be in the 220 range when climbing the higher elevation trails, often in this condition the ECU will kick into a mode that will reduce torque output to help bring the temps down. I don't have any comparisons yet with those trails because I've been taking things cautiously because my motor is in the beginning stages of a head gasket failure. I can say for certain that it takes a good few minutes longer for the coolant system to reach 185 from a cold start. Overall the coolant stays a few degrees cooler when engine load has been increased like say when traveling up an extended grade of a highway. My temps are averaging 185-188 at 70-75.

 

Wow awesome read. Thanks for all that valuable information. I ordered the Mishimoto radiator, transmission cooler and thermostat along with Mishimoto polyurethane hose to replace the stock ones. I’ll see how well with what I got will work otherwise I just may order a Mishimoto electric fan for the aftermarket transmission cooler

 

I recommend against this, if it the 160°. If they have a 170°, that'll be ok. Your engine will have a difficult time reaching the programmed check point of the proper operating temperature with the 160°.

My engine has ductile iron sleeves, and it has a hard time reaching proper temps with their 160°. I need to change mine out.

 

Well it is cool products, but I can’t think it’s over kill. Do you really need to bring all that gear with you? Seems like a lot of weight to be hauling around. Im usally at 1300lbs loaded like 3 times a year, and it’s mostly cause of the firewood we have to bring to camp (can’t chop wood there)….at that weight, I am hitting bump stops in the rear with a ome medium leaf pack. Can’t imagine what you go thru.

Another good option was a fj cruiser radiator. I believe it is 33% bigger then stock.

Also, can you tell us what temps you saw on your adventures? Im usally at 185. Loaded up going thru the hills, I will see 210 for a min or two.

my transmission is what gets hot. Going thru the hills, I will go up to 240 here and there. Kinda sketch.

 

Thermostats are something I like to go OEM with and also at the stock temperature. That t-stat wasn't just randomly selected, it was engineered for the application.
Running the engine cold sets you up for sludge issues and may also set a CEL.

Upgrade the radiator, transmission cooler and fan - stick with the OEM T-stat.

 

@PFD FIRE its interesting that you still arent giving us actual readings you are seeing on the SCII that are leading you to this change.

You're doing it anyway, so why not amuse us with some facts?

 

OK since everyone's talking about transmission temperatures........
I have torque pro, but I cannot figure out any of the codes to make it read the transmission temperature on my 2005 Tacoma.... Is can anybody point me in the right direction. I did find one that kinda worked but was not giving me proper numbers.. I've tried 3 or 4 other and they don't even read it whatsoever. Sorry I don't have links to each one of the ones I used unfortunately unfortunately I had them saved on my other phone which I had to replace.

 

I think I'll be doing this to mine now. My temp gauge has been climbing at random times (normally when wheeling) but I was pulling a trailer a couple of weeks ago and my temp gauge climbed dangerously high a couple of times to the point I had the heat on full blast. Just need to decide if I want to delete the fan clutch or just do an auxiliary fan. What trans cooler would you recommend?

 

Yeah, that's pretty hot for your transmission. I work on Industrial Gas Turbines and that's too hot for the journal bearings.... not quite melt babbit hot (it's getting there though), but usually the limit they like to see is 220F. Transmissions don't like heat, an auxillary transcooler would be a good idea.

 

Your '05 may not have trans sensors. If it does, your apps website should give you the PIDs to use just like Scan Gauge site does for their users

 

Just installed mishimoto radiator fitment seems to be good not sure if my core support or not been repaired but I did have to make the mounting holes slightly bigger the shroud fit perfect. Other thing I didn’t like is the factory hose clamps would not work to small, and the radiator cover from the core support to shroud no longer fits because it’s wider

 

It must have something because at 1 of the PDI's I input kindof worked . the numbers were just way off. So I deleted that 1 and re entered a couple of other ones and neither of them read anything at all. Then I lost the d*** Post that I was finding them on haven't been able to find it again.

 

Yes sir. I do have the tow package and it does have the factory trans cooler, but a bigger one might be a good idea. I will see how this summer goes. I will keep an eye out on my temps. already spent a lot of money this year on other items. Lol just had my buy a driveshaft. $760 just like that. Guess I’m picking up some overtime.

 

I just added a second trans cooler to mine and it did the trick. I stay around 160-185 degrees on hwy so i cant complain at all.

 

No link to OPs gram, no pics of OPs truck, no actual data from OP..

 

There are PIDs for ATF Pan and torque converter temps for Torque Pro. They stopped working after the last Torque Pro update. Not sure what's going on.

 

I can speak to the transmission cooler question as someone who towed camping trailers in the past for many years: Install the biggest auxiliary transmission cooler that you can buy that will fit in the space, and install it in series (downstream) with the OEM tow pkg cooler if you have it. Re: the radiator: I'm not familiar with the radiator you are speaking of, but i think if it was me I would install a thermostatic electric fan in front of the radiator and see if that did the resolved the issue.

 

Sorry everyone for the late response on what temperature my transmission is running at.

Driving around in local streets trans temps reads around 185-190 degrees
Water temp reads about the same

Driving long distances/up grades the trans temperature went as high 222 degrees. Water temp averaged at around 215 degrees.

This is concerning, I hope the decision to upgrading my cooling system is justified. Your thoughts?

ps: while I’m doing the radiator replacement and possibly the trans cooler with Mishimoto. I’m also replacing the thermostat and fan clutch with OEM parts.

 

Those numbers seem fine to me. I also have a new AFE radiator that ill be putting in along with a new water pump/tstat and silicone hoses. Already have a bigger trans cooler.

Im at around 1100lbs over stock weight, for daily driving