Oil cooler types - Toyota 4Runner Forum

JackDuggan · 12-26-2019, 09:07 PM

I am planning to put an engine oil cooler on my 2008 V6 T4R but I can't decide between the Toyota type, using engine coolant, or the air type cooler. Looking for some opinions. I use the vehicle to tow my Six Metre Argosy Minuet trailer, which weighs 2500 dry, 3500 max.

I had good results on a previous tow vehicle with the finned Hayden type, but I also have the coolant type on my Focus SVT and I know that's the type we put on Mustang 5.0's back in 1990 when I sold them in Germany.

ElDuck · 12-26-2019, 10:30 PM

Could you show me an example of the Toyota coolant type you're referring to?

firebirdguy · 12-27-2019, 12:14 PM

have you verified your oil temps to know you actually need an external oil cooler? never heard of the v6 having an oil temp issue, especially towing only ~half of its rated tow weight. if you run a good synthetic oil, i dont see towing that much weight causing an oil overheating issue.

i'd be more concerned with the trans fluid temps since the v6's dont have an external trans cooler, but again toyota felt that the v6 system was ok up to 5000lbs.

granted, if i towed frequently i would want an aux trans cooler, but i dont think you need an oil cooler unless you verified you have an overheated oil issue.

JackDuggan · 12-27-2019, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebirdguy

have you verified your oil temps to know you actually need an external oil cooler? never heard of the v6 having an oil temp issue, especially towing only ~half of its rated tow weight. if you run a good synthetic oil, i dont see towing that much weight causing an oil overheating issue.

i'd be more concerned with the trans fluid temps since the v6's dont have an external trans cooler, but again toyota felt that the v6 system was ok up to 5000lbs.

granted, if i towed frequently i would want an aux trans cooler, but i dont think you need an oil cooler unless you verified you have an overheated oil issue.

I guess I should have included in the original post that I installed an auxiliary transmission cooler and can monitor the temp through OBD.

I'm looking at doing a Tee fitting so I can install an oil pressure and temp gauge. An advantage of the air type cooler is that the sandwich adapter has ports for these gauges.