Transmission temp gauge install question....

Hi everyone, I'm about to install 2 gauges in a pillar mount in my '09 Tacoma. I have a couple of questions first.

I'm also adding in my transmission cooler at the same time.......

I'm assuming that the appropriate place to splice into the transmission line for my temperature sensor would be on the line as it ENTERS (hottest spot) into the lower portion of the radiator. Is this correct?

Can you guys tell me which line is coming to the radiator, and which line is the return?

One more question..
I'm also installing a Volt gauge in the pod..... Can anybody tell me the appropriate place to tap into my truck's electrical system to get a reading from the output of the alternator?

Ok Today I got the pod all mounted, but did not yet connect any wires......
I also got the cooler mounted but didn't run any hoses.....





Thanks
Donald

 

Ok, so when your looking at your truck from the front bumper, the line on the right is the line where the fluid goes in, and on the left the is the return. This is the where you will install your tanny temp sensor.

and for the volt meter just plug it into anywhere on your truck electrical system and it'll give you an accurate voltage reading.
PM me if you have any more questions...

I'm running that same setup...

 

Oooh, very nice. Did you buy a kit? I've wondered about doing something similar, but wondered how to nicely integrate it into the pillar.

 

I got the gauges from Jegs, they werent the cheapest but god their shipping is FAST! and they have awesome customer service!

And I got the pillar from Lotek

I love this pillar bc it sticks out rather than being recessed into the A-pillar. Makes it easier to read it.

And rep to Silverback07 because he showed me how to install the transmission gauge.

 

Added pictures to the first post!

 

top line into the radiator i placed my sensor, then it goes to the trans cooler then out to the trans itself.

 

Nice! With the tranny cooler on, you should only see your tranny temp go to 180 degrees on a very hot day. The highest I've gotten mine to is 200 degrees and I was towing A LOT of weight, so it was understandable...

 

i have seen mine up to 150 but just regular driving, mine is around 120

 

Where are you reading your temps. from?

 

What is the inside diameter of the rubber transmission line?

 

I used 3/8" hose barb fittings without any problems.

 

Is the tranny guage hard to install? I do alot of towing so I'd like to maybe do a setup like this in the future. I have the factory tranny cooler already on my 2010 but I'd still like a way to keep an eye on the temps.

 

dam man i need to take a look at that soon

 

Pardon me, but, if you gonna see the gage to 250 degrees then what?
You will add a extra fan, increase or add a extra cooler? Stop and let everything cool down?

 

Only the torque converter produces heat so placing your temp probe after the cooler is useless unless you are seeing input temp and temp after cooler. If your doing that then look for a 20* drop in temp from the converter back to the trans. If your checking temp after then add approximately 20-28* to your reading to be accurate. My readings during high load and summer heat get about 205-215* too hot for proper lubrication. At 225-230 is the smoke point of type T-4. I've tested it. Not good for a A340 trans. I will be adding a small air to air cooler after the ATF leaves the radiator. I'm shooting for 140-160* return temp.
If you see temps higher than 215* and your wired in good then you may want to start having a look at your fluid level if its in the hot zone and not over filled then you may want to check out the temp from converter to the temp back to the trans. If you do not see 20* or greater temp drop then that is a red flag. If you do see the 20* or greater temp drop but your temp out of the converter exceeds 220* then you need to find out what is causing your converter to excessively slip or not enter lock-up and cause high temps.
If your fluid temp does not change much after the cooler and is still very high (beyond 215*) then you need to slow down the speed of the oil exiting the trans before it enters the cooler. If you have a 4cyl then add a small cooler after your ATF lines exit the radiator.

Ok I think I have done enough rambling.

 

what threads are on the (T) fitting?

 

subd

 

I thought if anyone is reading the thread I have the same pillar for the gauges for sale if anyone is interested.

 

Those Pillar mounts are boss.. just added it to my favs under

"Parts I didn't know about but now can't live with out" folder.