After seeing trans temps as high as 260 while wheeling a long, slow incline and experiencing some harsh 1-2 and 2-3 shifts while sitting in traffic I decided to add a tranny cooler, trans filter, and do a fluid exchange. I went with a Toyota type t IV transmission fluid which I believe was the OEM fluid for my 2002 v6 limited. Got 12 quarts off amazon for about $80 and picked up a couple extra to top off with, then followed MBTim's fluid replacement method of draining a quart at a time from the cooler line while replacing it through the dipstick tube. Today will be the first real test while I sit through an hour of stop and go traffic, but over the weekend I noticed greatly improved shift quality and cooler trans temps. It seems like the Toyota type T IV fluid is really playing well with my 200k trans, just wondering if anyone else is running the same fluid and if anyone has any thoughts on it, I haven't seen it come up in many threads.

I have no experience with the Toyota Tranny fluid but I'm sure it is good stuff. Most of us use aftermarket fluid like Valvoline Maxlife full synth because it is cheaper, just as good if not better and readily available.

I always go with OEM trans fluid. My 97 4R and 00 LC uses Dextron III and I buy it from the dealer. Never had an issue with this fluid.
Glad it is working for you and the price of $80 for 12 quarts is really good.

I have been running Mobil1 Fully Synthetic transmission fluid for years with an external (large) cooler, bypassing the radiator and a magnefine filter. I have 316K miles and the drain and fill on the tranny (every 12-18 months) shows a bright red tranny fluid. The Magnefine filter is checked every six months and changed out.....with very few metal shavings or powdery metal residue. Shifts flawlessly. In hot Alabama summers, tranny has never been above 160F.

So the traffic test was good- harsh shifting much improved and trans never got over 165. Gonna be wheeling in mt. Hood this weekend, I’ll report back on how that goes.

How did it go?


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Went good, 5 hours of intermediate, single diamond and double diamond trail and it shifted smooth with temps under 190 the whole time. Gets my seal of approval.

Thanks for the report! I just received my BM 70264 transmission cooler today! One gage I want to add to mine, is a S/W tranny temp gage, to have a good monitor on my trans temp! Vance.

Waiting on my B&M 70264 cooler to arrive.
Ordered a new Denso radiator and inline filter as well.
All as a preventative since it appears my new to me 02 Runner still carries the original radiator.
Wondering if you installed your B&M cooler in series with the trans cooler in the radiator or if you bypassed the trans cooler in the radiator.
Is there a best course of action for someone using their Runner as a DD with no wheeling or significant towing?

The cooler manufacturers recommend installing it in series after the rad.

I was told that T-V1 superseded Dexron 3 by Toyota parts guy.

Not really... and I wouldn't necessarily trust a random parts counter guy.

There is a deep rabbit hole to go down on T-IV vs. Dex III if you are interested.

Like this: Toyota T-IV = Dexron III ? - Bob Is The Oil Guy

-Charlie

I used Toyota t-iv atf last time I flushed my transmission also and it works fine. Some one posted this on club lexus.

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Great, one more rabbit-hole for me to explore since a replacement filter is sitting in my shop just waiting. In my Short internet dive, it looks like there's a lot of "OEM only" supporters.... which is fine, the money spent on marketing is substantial. I can get a gallon of Toyota T-IV from the dealer for ~$17 before taxes. There seem to be only 2 commonly available aftermarket oils that meet the specs, those are Mobile 3309 and Valvoline Maxlife. I can get the Maxlife from Walmart for the same ~$17 before taxes.

So really, my only decision is OEM dyno or aftermarket synthetic.

Not like the owners manual is very specific here (attached)

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Go with Toyota T-IV if you have the money to burn. Yea $6+ per quart can add up! but hey you are getting the good stuff right! I just purchased 14 quarts last week and got a 15% discount.!