Transmission and radiator service

I'm approaching 60K miles on my Tacoma 4WD and am thinking about radiator and transmission fluid service. Called my local Toyota dealer (Tegeler Toyota in Brenham, Texas) and asked about pricing. When he said $220 for each service, my knees buckled! I asked him if the transmission service included removing the pan, cleaning the magnets and replacing the filter, he said "NO", just fluid change. I asked "$220 to drain a few quarts of fluid and pour a couple in?", to which he answered, "Well, when you put it like that, uh, yes, that's right". I asked "how else would you put it?" LOL Anyway, what do you guys do? How often does this truck really need radiator and transmission service. Trailer towing is < 1% of the truck's use and 95% are "highway miles" as , thank God, I don't live in the city any longer.

 

I won’t be doing mine until 5yrs. or 100k miles which ever comes first. I’m in the same boat as you mostly highway <1% towing and no off road.

 

I am pretty sure the manual says 100K on the coolant and it never really gives a mileage on the transmission unless your are looking at the severe service schedule.

 

Why are you taking it to a dealer? How about an independent mechanic? prices should be better.

 

Before I was trained by a master mechanic, I needed my alternator changed (back in 2004). The shop wanted $650.
I put an add on craiglist in the wanted section and got a mechanic to come to me. Bought the part myself and paid the mechanic $200.
Saved $350. Just a thought. I will say that if you look up how-to videos on both you could probably DIY if you're comfortable with that.

 

100K/10 years for initial replacement; 50K/5 years thereafter for coolant.
60K/6 years(severe service) for atf.

My plan is halving those intervals and obtaining UOAs to determine future intervals.

Maybe he quoted you a full fluid exchange on the machine(up to 14 quarts) vs your expectation of a one time fluid drain/refill of the pan(4 quarts).
The factory service manual requires three drain/refill of the pan for fluid replacement(12 quarts).

My plan is halving the listed intervals under severe service and obtaining UOAs to determine future intervals. Soon...

 

I would do coolant more often if I were planning on keeping the truck longer.

We see most rads and water pumps fail simply due to coolant corrosion. Lots of Toyotas don't get to the first coolant flush before needing a water pump.

 

Yes, there's a great independent dealer in the little town near where I live. He said it would be about $300 for both services. I did not ask whether the transmission service was a "drain and replace" or total service with new filter. I will find out Monday.